"I Pay for Everything, Yet...": Landlord's Text Message Sparks Controversy

A conflict has emerged between a tenant and a landlord over the use of an air conditioner.

A young professional, identified as A, who recently moved into their first apartment in a villa in Gyeonggi Province, reportedly received an absurd text message from their landlord.

The landlord instructed the tenant not to run the air conditioner for long periods, to turn it off after 1:00 a.m., and to open the windows to let in natural air instead.

The landlord continued to make similar demands, insisting that the tenant turn off the air conditioner and open the windows on cooler days.

When A explained that they live on the second floor and that opening the windows allows too many bugs to get in, the landlord expressed dissatisfaction, claiming it felt like the tenant was ignoring the owner's wishes.

A eventually went without the air conditioner for three days but could no longer endure the heat and turned it back on. The landlord reportedly called A, threatening to terminate the lease and return the security deposit.

A, who is a monthly rent tenant responsible for all utility bills, including electricity, sought advice, questioning whether this was a normal situation.

Netizens who encountered the story reacted by saying that it is excessive for a landlord to interfere with the usage of an appliance when the tenant is the one paying the electricity bill, adding that the landlord has no such authority and that the tenant should seek professional advice from a real estate agent or legal expert.

(Image source: Online community)
※ Please note: This article was translated by AI and may contain errors.