My Landlord Raised My Rent Because I Got a Promotion — Big Mistake Messing With a Single Working Mom of Three

 

I’m not usually petty—no time for it, really. I’m a single mom of three, juggling full-time work and motherhood. But when someone threatens my peace, my kids, and our home just because I caught a break? I don’t go down swinging—I go down strategizing.

I’m Anna, 36. My kids are my everything: Liam, 11, kind and intuitive; Maya, 7, bold and full of questions; and Atlas, 4, my curly-haired whirlwind in Lightning McQueen socks.

After years of hard work, I was promoted to Operations Manager. It wasn’t flashy, but it meant hope—new shoes, a school trip, maybe name-brand cereal.

Then Frank, our landlord, decided to punish my success. He raised our rent by $500 after seeing my promotion post online. No upgrades, no reason—just greed. I called him, hoping for reason. He gave me condescension: “This is business, not a daycare.”

I didn’t beg. I didn’t fight. I posted in local groups warning others. My story spread. Moms shared their own horror stories. One woman posted receipts. A real estate watchdog picked it up. TikTok ran with it.

Then Frank messaged me: “Let’s keep the rent the same.”

Too late. I’d already found a new place—smaller, but with three real bedrooms, a backyard Atlas calls his farm, and a landlord who showed up with muffins and kindness.

Now we’re safe. No more creaky bunks or couch beds. No more mold, rats, or smirks.

Frank’s listing? Slashed by $300. Still empty.

Turns out, single moms don’t forget. We carry diaper bags—and receipts. And when we fight, we do it with strategy, not spite.

We’re not just surviving anymore. We’re rooting.