Anyone who has rented ahouseor an apartment knows how troublesome it can be. Constant instability and restrictive rules substantially reduce comfort, while losing the landlord lottery and getting a bad one can make, in extreme cases, the accommodation unlivable.Tenants in ther/Renterscommunity are constantly sharing their fights and struggles with property owners. From unrealistic charges to requesting tips on rent, they prove that, in fact, landlords are really that bad. To find thesehorror stories, all you have to do is scroll down.While you’re at it, don’t forget to check out a conversation withrealtor, private landlord, and real estate investorChelsey Gibbs, who kindly agreed to give us some pointers on how to avoid a bad landlord.This post may includeaffiliate links.
Anyone who has rented ahouseor an apartment knows how troublesome it can be. Constant instability and restrictive rules substantially reduce comfort, while losing the landlord lottery and getting a bad one can make, in extreme cases, the accommodation unlivable.Tenants in ther/Renterscommunity are constantly sharing their fights and struggles with property owners. From unrealistic charges to requesting tips on rent, they prove that, in fact, landlords are really that bad. To find thesehorror stories, all you have to do is scroll down.While you’re at it, don’t forget to check out a conversation withrealtor, private landlord, and real estate investorChelsey Gibbs, who kindly agreed to give us some pointers on how to avoid a bad landlord.
This post may includeaffiliate links.
Data showsthat in the UK, homeowners are typically more satisfied with their accommodation than private or social renters. In 2023, theHousing Ombudsman, a government service that looks at housing complaints, found that the main reason tenants aren’t pleased with their dwellings is because of their condition.30% say that the property owner didn’t bother to repair it or that the landlord was slow to get things done.The following issue was howlandlordshandled the complaints, with 78% of cases containing maladministration or poor communication. As a result, 46% of the time landlords had to pay residents compensation because of poor housing conditions and its management.
Data showsthat in the UK, homeowners are typically more satisfied with their accommodation than private or social renters. In 2023, theHousing Ombudsman, a government service that looks at housing complaints, found that the main reason tenants aren’t pleased with their dwellings is because of their condition.
30% say that the property owner didn’t bother to repair it or that the landlord was slow to get things done.
The following issue was howlandlordshandled the complaints, with 78% of cases containing maladministration or poor communication. As a result, 46% of the time landlords had to pay residents compensation because of poor housing conditions and its management.
Bored Pandareached out to realtor, private landlord, and real estate investorChelsey Gibbs, who, from experience, confirms that the most common tenant complaints are maintenance delays and communication issues.She additionally mentions that people often have privacy concerns. They sometimes feel that frequent or announced landlord visits compromise their personal space.Unfair charges are also up there with frequent resident grievances. “Some tenants report unexpected fees or unjustified deductions from their security deposits,” says Gibbs.
Bored Pandareached out to realtor, private landlord, and real estate investorChelsey Gibbs, who, from experience, confirms that the most common tenant complaints are maintenance delays and communication issues.
She additionally mentions that people often have privacy concerns. They sometimes feel that frequent or announced landlord visits compromise their personal space.
Unfair charges are also up there with frequent resident grievances. “Some tenants report unexpected fees or unjustified deductions from their security deposits,” says Gibbs.
I live in Minneapolis, Minnesota.I put in a maintenance ticket back in January to have holes sealed up at the edge of my roof where squirrels had gotten in and I could hear them chewing at the wood in the walls on a regular basis. Month after month I would contact the leasing company for my house anyway I could to ask when this was going to get resolved.Yesterday they finally came out with a crane and did this metal work and expanding foam job, cutting down my little library to reach it.Update:THE SQUIRRELS HAVE ALL BEEN FREED!After a hearing about my dilemma, my sister and her partner, both strong animal lovers with animal rescue experience, drove all the way down from the Duluth area to give me a hand with my situation.
Just moved out of a 1 bedroom apartment. I rented a carpet shampooer from Home Depot before and had the whole place looking and smelling real nice. Just got this email which screams of nonsense.I plan to fight this to the death. The carpet was not damaged and had zero stains when I left. The pictures aren’t amazing but you can tell there’s not big damage
With such evidence, it’s no surprise that landlords are often stereotyped as the bad guys. Unfortunately, the warning signs are not always immediately apparent to tenants, which makes it hard to avoid them. Luckily for us, real estate expert Gibbs has a few tips on how to dodge the ‘bad landlord' bullet.According to her, the first thing you should do is evaluate the landlord’s communication levels. “Speak directly with the landlord before signing the lease. Assess their responsiveness and willingness to address questions or concerns,” says Gibbs.The initial meeting is also important. If they are ignoring calls, avoiding questions, and showing little interest in helping applicants throughout the process, that could be a big bad sign, as contacting them for maintenance or repair might be difficult after moving in.
With such evidence, it’s no surprise that landlords are often stereotyped as the bad guys. Unfortunately, the warning signs are not always immediately apparent to tenants, which makes it hard to avoid them. Luckily for us, real estate expert Gibbs has a few tips on how to dodge the ‘bad landlord' bullet.
According to her, the first thing you should do is evaluate the landlord’s communication levels. “Speak directly with the landlord before signing the lease. Assess their responsiveness and willingness to address questions or concerns,” says Gibbs.
The initial meeting is also important. If they are ignoring calls, avoiding questions, and showing little interest in helping applicants throughout the process, that could be a big bad sign, as contacting them for maintenance or repair might be difficult after moving in.
If they show up late to a showing without an apology or if the interaction is rushed, unprofessional, or even rude, this could be an additional red flag. Healthy and open communication is important inlandlord-tenantrelationships, and if that’s not the case from the get-go, it might be a good idea to walk away.
It’s also important to see the actual rental before signing the lease. Dishonest property owners may post the best, very old, or even fake photos to attract people. Meanwhile, the reality is often far different from the images.These offerings might also be priced suspiciously low. But if you’re in a hot rental market and the price seems too good to be true, it probably is, and you should be aware of not falling victim to a scam.
It’s also important to see the actual rental before signing the lease. Dishonest property owners may post the best, very old, or even fake photos to attract people. Meanwhile, the reality is often far different from the images.
These offerings might also be priced suspiciously low. But if you’re in a hot rental market and the price seems too good to be true, it probably is, and you should be aware of not falling victim to a scam.
The first impression of the property also matters, and when it looks disheveled, that could be another concerning sign. Landlords are often responsible for the upkeep of common areas, so if you notice cracked ceilings, reeking hallways, and dirty laundry rooms, it could mean that they put little effort into maintaining the individual rooms.“Visit the property and check its condition,” advises Gibbs. “Well-maintained properties are usually a sign of a landlord who cares about their tenants' living conditions.”
The first impression of the property also matters, and when it looks disheveled, that could be another concerning sign. Landlords are often responsible for the upkeep of common areas, so if you notice cracked ceilings, reeking hallways, and dirty laundry rooms, it could mean that they put little effort into maintaining the individual rooms.
“Visit the property and check its condition,” advises Gibbs. “Well-maintained properties are usually a sign of a landlord who cares about their tenants' living conditions.”
I was shocked when I came home from work and saw plastic covering every window in my apartment. I reached out to the property management and they told me it was for “waterproofing” the building. Asked for a date when it would be removed and they said they “weren’t sure”. It’s cutting off ventilation and I’m having to run my AC in 70 degree weather because it’s almost 80 degrees in my apartment with this plastic on. I asked if they would subsidize a portion of my electric bills since I will be needing to run the AC, which they said they would “get back to me about” but of course they didn’t
So I moved in to my new apartment in late January, I didn’t have a car then but recently got 1. Email the apartment manager for a parking permit, and she didn’t respond after a few days so I sent a follow-up. She send me a email today to say she was off and will follow-up but accidentally sent me this email which was obviously meant for internal purposes
Issues of repair are the number one thing that causes tension between tenants and landlords, so it’s crucial to ask questions about the maintenance process during walk throughs, like how residents can make a request, who is responsible for repairs, and how quickly the issues usually get fixed.
I moved into a new apt in April and this is my first winter here. They removed all the storm doors when renovating the property and never did any weather stripping/proofing with the front doors, it’s about 1 degree out right now with high winds that have been pushing through our front door along with snow and today I woke up to our locks iced up from the inside
He promised to have it in within a couple weeks of living here, but has yet to even order the tub that fits my rental house. I have one bathroom with a shower, but nothing in the master bathroom
Looking at online reviews from previous tenants on sites like ApartmentRatings and MyLandlordScore is also a great way to see what kind of landlord you’ll have to deal with, says Gibbs. “Investigate the landlord’s reputation through online reviews and tenant forums. Positive feedback from other tenants can be a good indicator of reliability.”
I notified the landlord about a mold problem 2 weeks ago and he keeps saying that he will fix it but nothing ever comes of it. He keeps making excuses and lying about it and saying that people are coming, which makes me take a day to work from home so that I can be here when they come to fix it (I don’t have unlimited work from home days)
If you wish to avoid any unpleasant or unexpected situations, the rental agreement is the most important document to ensure that. “Ensure the lease is detailed and transparent, covering aspects like maintenance responsibilities, notice periods, and any additional fees. A thorough lease can prevent misunderstandings later,” notes Gibbs.Unreliable landlords can purposefully include vague or unclear terms that place the majority of responsibility on tenants. Potential residents should move on if the property owner refuses to review the lease, doesn’t produce it, or wants you to sign it before seeing the housing.
If you wish to avoid any unpleasant or unexpected situations, the rental agreement is the most important document to ensure that. “Ensure the lease is detailed and transparent, covering aspects like maintenance responsibilities, notice periods, and any additional fees. A thorough lease can prevent misunderstandings later,” notes Gibbs.
Unreliable landlords can purposefully include vague or unclear terms that place the majority of responsibility on tenants. Potential residents should move on if the property owner refuses to review the lease, doesn’t produce it, or wants you to sign it before seeing the housing.
It has a glass cover, but no actual door so it has its springs exposed.The handle is very flimsy and is very hard to open the oven with as it isn’t properly attached.As soon as 5e oven is turned on it starts smoking without even being opened
However, Gibbs assures us that the rental market is getting increasingly populated with good landlords who prioritize ethical practices and tenants' well-being.“Many landlords are now leveraging technology to provide better services, such as digital rent payment systems, maintenance request platforms, and enhanced communication channels.The growing awareness of the importance of tenant satisfaction and retention has driven more landlords to adopt fair and transparent practices. This shift is fostering a more positive and trustworthy rental environment.”
However, Gibbs assures us that the rental market is getting increasingly populated with good landlords who prioritize ethical practices and tenants' well-being.
“Many landlords are now leveraging technology to provide better services, such as digital rent payment systems, maintenance request platforms, and enhanced communication channels.
The growing awareness of the importance of tenant satisfaction and retention has driven more landlords to adopt fair and transparent practices. This shift is fostering a more positive and trustworthy rental environment.”
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So the AC in our apartment has been chugging day and night never stopping at 75-76 degrees and it never really stayed cool. With the humidity in the air we couldn’t sleep, my allergies got worse and worse. I reached out to the contract landlord to send someone to check on it. He came himself asked if I changed the filter and batteries in the thermostat. I told him yes I have been changing the filters every month. I mentioned I checked the intake inside and external unit for exhaust and they had gunk in them. He was brushed it off and deflected, called me an idiot saying it was nothing and “You think you are knowing everything that are happen and you are wrong” at that point I had given multiple chances for him to not be rude. I started letting him spiral in his self talk about how he owns commercial property and he knows more than I do because of that..and he said “If you don’t like it then move out”. I called a favor for a tech to come look and this is the result. I’m down 300 bucks
My landlord, who has my email and phone number, which I have requested to communicate over both many times, sent me this rent increase notice via Facebook Marketplace.We never signed anything agreeing to this, and our newest lease, from August, states we were still paying our original rate.He has been a consistent problem for other situations since living here, but this is the only one I am not sure how to handle
It has been a year since my heel went through our flooring while putting socks on totally random and most likely due to poor flooring.My landlord has not fixed it and has said it is because of the high cost. And has even gone as far to say he doesn’t believe me that’s how it happened and thinks it’s because I dropped something “heavy”.He has given me the opportunity to pay half (which I will not do) or wait until he finds a cheaper estimate. I am now worried that he is just waiting until I move out to take it out of my deposit
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This will make a month and a half straight where they can walk into my home. They came in 2 days ago and broke some of my stuff, said sorry and just walked out so I don’t trust them to be alone in my home. Also my heat pump works fine, they have not inspected it
Moving in tomorrow and Landlord drops this last minute note with no prior mention of this. Moving into a house with 3 separate units
My landlord is trying to raise rent as picture shows. We have a 1 year fixed lease of $550 and he is trying to increase it to $600. Is he legally allowed to do this while in middle of lease? I have read the lease carefully and there’s no verbiage saying he can raise it in the middle of the lease
I share a duplex with my landlord (bad decision) and he has hired movers to move things out of the unit that he lives in. We both have our own stairs to access our units but my stairs would be far more convenient for the movers to use. I have cleaned the stairs but my landlord has a history of making veiled threats like the one above. I guess I’m torn between keeping the peace and telling him that he cannot use my stairs
I see wreath on door of my neighbor’s for more than a year and others have doormats still on. Is it true to not even add this on door which is less flammable than the door or wall itself?
Woke up to water POURING out of my ceiling at 5:30am on Saturday. It stopped after another hour or two on its own. But I touched the top which was bowed in and it was extremely soft. The entire place smelled like mildew/dirty water.I haven’t been able to take a shower, I have to leave the window open to air out the smell.Is this an emergency or am I being dramatic here in wanting the property managers to take this more seriously?
These past three days the overhead sprinkler in our bedroom has been randomly going off for seemingly no reason. We’ve called Maintenance since the day it started and the most they’ve done was look at it and cut a hole in the ceiling around it.They arent gonna do anything else because, and I quote, “we can’t do anything because we don’t know what the problem is”
Am I required to do this ? They never even mentioned it.
The bike and charcoal grill one really got me. Where else tf am I supposed to put these things? Im not sure why there’s regulations on what we can and cannot have on our tiny patios? I understand the clothing/trash bc it can blow into road but other than that I see no issue?
my landlord/property manager has blocked me from paying rent. I haven’t been late, I haven’t had any issues, but the property manager never answers calls or emails from the tenants (there are some more people in the building and idk if they’re having issues too). I have called and emailed (20 times) over the course of 3 months
…they offered to take off $50 from the quote. But I’m confused why they claim the market value is almost 1.5x what they’re charging
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