Landlord demands tenants unplug their toaster: 'They gave us 24 hours' notice'

Author image for Remy Millisky
Remy Millisky • Writer and Editor
Mar 10, 2026 3:00 PM EDT

After an inspection, this landlord had a surprising criticism for the tenants: unplug all your small electronics. 

How much does a plugged-in toaster cost you each month? According to some estimates, it costs roughly one penny per minute to use your toaster. And that's just from using it to toast your bread — if you leave it plugged in all day every day, that might add up to like, $2 or $3 in energy costs per year. 

Oftentimes, goofy dads are the ones who are trying to get the family to unplug small electronics and avoid touching the thermostat — you know, just little tiny ways to save money. But in this person's case, their landlord is the one applying the rules. And the weirdest part is…

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  • Landlord is frustrated that tenent leaves toaster plugged in.
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    Landlord is frustrated that tenent leaves toaster plugged in. 

    The image does not depict the actual subjects of the story. Subjects are models.

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  • Here's the money-siphon in question!

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  • And, heaven forbid a person wants to make a cup of tea twice a day or something

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  • Does anyone actually unplug their TOASTER between uses?
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  • This makes the whole thing especially strange!

    Edit to answer common questions: • We pay the utilities separately from our rent! Our landlord doesn't handle the electric bill in any way, shape, or form.
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    Why… would the landlord… even care about such a thing? He is not even paying? Does bro just love to be in other people's business? Does he just love lording his power over others? I honestly am at a loss for this one. 

  • At least next time, they can simply unplug their electronics, since that's the only issue, apparently

    . They gave us 24 hours' notice before the inspection, which is standard in the US. From my understanding of the lease, I don't think we are allowed to decline inspections. ):
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  • And why would it? LOL

    Our lease does not state anything about unplugging appliances when they are not in use.
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  • Very odd indeed

    • Our landlord uses a company to manage everything. So we get hit with a double whammy of our landlord's feelings and the company's rules.
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  • Thank you all for your input and recommendations! I have learned SO much. After hearing all of the horror stories/general fear about house fires being caused by rogue toasters, I will unplug it between uses
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  • (BUT only because I feel like it and not because my landlord told me to
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  • Interesting! I would hope that in the 40+ years since, tech has improved on this

    Company... I unplug the toaster because I was taught that it was a fire hazard. But that was back in the 80s so who knows.
    via CompanyOther2608

  • Again, even when it's on, it uses 12 cents per 10 minutes!

    GLG777 You pay the bill, F him. And a toaster won't be drawing anything if not turned on
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    That's $01.2 — one point two pennies — per minute. Don't we all think a good toast slice is worth one or two pennies? This landlord is Oliver-Twist-maxxing and he doesn't even know it. 

  • She's right, honestly

    Turpitude... We unplug the toaster because my wife hates counter clutter.
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    Depending on how often you use it, taking the toaster out of the cupboard like once or twice a day feels like a lot of effort. But you know, happy wife happy life and all that! 

  • I don't understand why they would care if you are paying for the power. You could get a meter and prove it's like $2 a month to leave all these small appliances plugged in.
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  • Tenant uses toaster to make breakfast.
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    Tenant uses toaster to make breakfast. 

    The image does not depict the actual subjects of the story. Subjects are models.

  • I hope this person updates if anything else happens! Like: why does their landlord care about this so much? Is he broke? Is he just being nitpicky? Much to consider! 

  • …He isn't even paying for the electricity. So… Why? Just why? Read the email, and then check out the good advice that people were doling out in the comments. 

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