Redditor Feels Guilty After Giving Their Landlord Only One Week's Notice About Moving Out

A 28-year-old woman, OP, thought she was doing the normal thing, move out after buying a house, and just give the landlord a week’s notice. Except her landlord did not see it as “normal.”

OP had been renting for a few years, and the lease renewals always came late. This time, she wasn’t planning to renew at all, but instead of handling it months ahead, she went quiet and let the landlord stay in the dark until move-out day.

Then she finally told him, and his reaction made it feel like the timing was the real problem, not the moving truck.

OP has been renting from a landlord for a few years and everything's been pretty typical

u/Dogidagg

The landlord would always send out lease renewals too late

u/Dogidagg

This time, OP had bought a house and they weren't planning on renewing the lease

u/Dogidagg

OP’s landlord kept missing the lease renewal window, so OP figured the rules were already being bent on his end.

Giving notice to a landlord can often evoke feelings of guilt, particularly when the notice is shorter than what might be expected. Research in behavioral psychology indicates that our sense of responsibility greatly influences how we perceive our actions. The OP's feelings of guilt may stem from an internalized belief that they should have communicated their plans sooner, reflecting a desire to be considerate and responsible.

When we fail to meet our own expectations, it can lead to feelings of shame and self-criticism.

OP didn't mention anything to the landlord, keeping him in the dark until they moved out

u/Dogidagg

OP eventually told the landlord that they were moving out, and he wasn't happy

u/Dogidagg

The landlord gave OP the security deposit back, but he wasn't happy with what OP did

u/Dogidagg

That’s when OP decided to buy a house, keep quiet for months, and hit him with a one-week notice right before everything changed.

This reminds us of the landlord who demanded rent after a tenant lost their job, even after a temporary rent-free period.

Is it unfair to ask my tenant to pay rent after losing their job?

This suggests that OP's decision to give only a week's notice, despite knowing earlier, is not just a logistical issue but also an emotional one. Understanding the psychological underpinnings of these feelings can help alleviate guilt.

Recognizing that everyone makes mistakes can foster self-compassion and reduce feelings of shame.

OP provided an edit to the story, answering some of the people in the comments

u/Dogidagg

Learn the basics first

u/whatsmypassword73

He didn't play by the rules

u/Velocityg4

After OP moved out and eventually told him, the landlord handed back the security deposit but still acted like the week’s notice was a personal insult.

Effective Communication with Landlords

In situations like this, effective communication is key to minimizing misunderstandings.

No notice required

u/drzowie

Now OP is stuck replaying it, like, if the landlord forgot the lease stuff, why does OP feel guilty for not communicating sooner?

OP leaves feeling conflicted. On one hand, they believe it's the landlord's responsibility to handle leases and renewals. It's their only job! If the landlord forgot, it shouldn't be the tenant's problem.

However, OP also realizes that they knew they were leaving for nearly a year and only gave less than a week's notice.

Additionally, setting reminders for future commitments can help prevent similar situations.

The emotional turmoil stemming from giving only a week's notice to a landlord is palpable in this Redditor's story. The feelings of guilt and regret that arise from such a hasty decision are common among tenants who find themselves in similar situations. Proactive planning could have alleviated much of the stress for both the tenant and the landlord, emphasizing the need for responsible behavior in rental agreements. This incident serves as a reminder of the delicate balance between tenant rights and landlord expectations.

The security deposit got returned, but the relationship with the landlord definitely did not.

Wait until you read how a landlord tried to charge rent after a pet’s surgery. Tenant Faces Rent Dilemma After Pets Surgery.