When I moved into my old apartment, I quickly realized it lacked basic appliances like a washing machine and dishwasher. Since my landlord, Mr. Robinson, was dismissive about adding any, I decided to buy my own despite the cost. I thought it was a simple fix for my busy schedule. When I eventually moved out, I planned to take these appliances with me, only to be met with Mr. Robinson’s stubborn refusal and threats to keep my security deposit if I removed them.

Refusing to be bullied, I enlisted the help of my handyman friend Kevin. Together, we carefully removed the essential parts from both appliances, leaving behind only empty shells. This way, the landlord would think the machines were intact, but they wouldn’t work without the missing parts. I left the apartment feeling confident that Mr. Robinson would regret trying to claim what wasn’t his.

Sure enough, Mr. Robinson called me desperately a few days later, begging for the missing parts so the appliances could work for new tenants. I played coy and negotiated a cash payout for returning them. When I finally met him with the box, I deliberately withheld some crucial components, leaving him frustrated and out of luck. It was my way of teaching him a lesson about respecting other people’s property.

In the end, I felt empowered standing up to my entitled ex-landlord and protecting what was rightfully mine. Thanks to Kevin’s help and a little strategy, I walked away victorious—and ready to enjoy my new apartment without dealing with Mr. Robinson’s nonsense ever again.