Doing the right thing isn't always easy. It takes integrity, selflessness, and, sometimes, a financial sacrifice. One landlord proved just how far he was willing to go to live by his values when he sent his former tenant, Chris Robarge, a check for $2,500—simply because it was the right thing to do.
Chris, from Worcester, Massachusetts, was so moved by the unexpected gesture that he shared the full story on Facebook. His post quickly gained traction, with thousands of people expressing their admiration for the landlord’s rare act of kindness.
A letter and a check that left him speechless
Chris had rented from the landlord for a period of time and had moved on, thinking that chapter of his life was closed. Then, out of the blue, his former landlord reached out, asking for his current mailing address. Chris thought little of it until an envelope arrived at his home. Inside was a heartfelt letter and a check for $2,500.
Stunned, he took to social media to share his gratitude.
"I have been sitting with this for more than a day and I am still completely beyond an actual way to describe what this act means to me."
— Chris Robarge
The landlord explained in his letter that he had sold the rental property and felt it was only right to share a portion of the profits with his former tenants.
"Keeping this money after the sale of the property was exploitative and antithetical to a just society."
— Chris' Landlord
To ensure fairness, he calculated how much of the mortgage principal Chris had covered in his rent, added a 40% increase to account for the rise in property value, and mailed him a check for the final amount.
Paying it forward
Chris was deeply touched by the gesture, but he didn’t keep all the money for himself. Instead, he decided to pass on the kindness.
"I want this good deed to reach as far as possible."
— Chris Robarge
Chris kept $500 for a necessary car repair, then donated the remaining $2,000 to causes close to his heart. He contributed $500 to Black and Pink Massachusetts, an organization that supports incarcerated LGBTQ+ individuals, and used the rest to stock Worcester Free Fridges, community refrigerators that provide free food for those in need.
Restoring faith in humanity
Chris’ post resonated deeply with people online. Many were inspired by both the landlord’s generosity and Chris’ decision to pay it forward. The story reminded people that acts of kindness—no matter how big or small—can have a lasting impact.
One user expressed their gratitude for the reminder that goodness still exists. @g.w.smith.5 commented, “I needed to see this kind of humanity today. Thank you for that.” Another person, @virginia.bechtold, felt compelled to follow in the landlord’s footsteps, writing, “This is what I’ll do if I ever own a rental property. Thanks for the inspiration.”
Others simply found comfort in knowing that there are still good people in the world. @lisa.mullen.18 shared, “This is wonderful...goes to show that there are good people out there.” The sentiment was echoed by many who appreciated both the landlord’s actions and Chris’ generosity in paying it forward.
The post quickly became more than just a feel-good story—it served as a call to action. Many people commented that they were motivated to do something similar, whether by donating money, supporting community resources, or simply being more intentional about kindness in their everyday lives.
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