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Finding a new place to live in is quite a task in itself, but for some people, the struggle doesn't end there. There are landlords who create such a toxic environment, their tenants' everyday life becomes a neverending misery. From installing secret surveillance cameras to ignoring ceiling leaks, these greedy bastards are full of dirty tricks.

Bored Panda has compiled this list to prove that you should always remain skeptical when hunting for an apartment. One thing's for sure, though, those sly foxes are definitely know how to save a penny.

However, even the worst landlords have to try real hard to come close to Steven Croman. He spent decades flipping rent-controlled Manhattan apartment buildings, buying them cheap and having his employees remove the apartment's occupants. Croman's employees referred to the tenants as 'targets,' and were competing to push out the most as they would receive a bonus for each tenant they forced out.

#2

My Landlord Pretended To Do Work In The Flat But Ended Up Installing This 360° Wifi Surveillance Camera Which Also Records Audio Without Telling Me About It

My Landlord Pretended To Do Work In The Flat But Ended Up Installing This 360° Wifi Surveillance Camera Which Also Records Audio Without Telling Me About It

lachsox Report

When the 'targets' refused to move, Croman enforced harassment. He turned their buildings into dangerous construction sites, refused to make repairs, and cut off heat, electricity, and hot water. If that wasn't enough, he ordered his companies to file baseless lawsuits against the residents. One tenant, for example, was brought to court 11 times, even though she was not behind on the rent; another tenant racked up $240,000 in legal fees.

#3

That Awkward Moment When Your "Thermostat" Is Actually Just Hanging On A Nail, And Doesn't Control The Temperature Whatsoever. Shout Out To The Best Landlords Ever

That Awkward Moment When Your "Thermostat" Is Actually Just Hanging On A Nail, And Doesn't Control The Temperature Whatsoever. Shout Out To The Best Landlords Ever

Waja_Wabit Report

If tenants continued living in the apartments, Croman would call Anthony Falconite. The retired police officer would pose as a repairman, a building manage or an inspector to get into people’s homes. Once inside, he would come up with an accusations, telling tenants they were occupying the units illegally. Falconite would demand their IDs, and take their photos without permission. 

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#4

Landlords Didn't Believe Me When I Tried To Tell Them We Had A Slug Infestation. Said They've Never Heard Of Such A Problem

Landlords Didn't Believe Me When I Tried To Tell Them We Had A Slug Infestation. Said They've Never Heard Of Such A Problem

tndvdson Report

After his tenants were gone, Croman ignored construction laws and performed work without permits more than on 175 occasions. Eventually, Croman’s shady methods drew the attention of officials, and he was charged with grand larceny and tax fraud. In 2017, he pleaded guilty and was ordered to pay a $5 million tax settlement and $8 million to his former tenants. He was also sentenced to one year in jail.

#5

My Landlord Finally Installed A New Gated Entryway. I Feel So Much Safer Now

My Landlord Finally Installed A New Gated Entryway. I Feel So Much Safer Now

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#6

My Landlord Sucks

My Landlord Sucks

JonjakobJinkleHymer Report

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pseudo_puppy avatar
Pseudo Puppy
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This is a structural / safety issue. If reported to the local government (or relative department), this could mean that the property would be deemed uninhabitable, and needing to be evacuated until repaired. The costs of moving etc, should theoretically be covered by the landlord.

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#7

I've Been Arguing With My Landlord About Water Seeping Into My Apartment For 2 Months Now. Found This Little Guy Today

I've Been Arguing With My Landlord About Water Seeping Into My Apartment For 2 Months Now. Found This Little Guy Today

BluePuma Report

#8

A Leak My Landlord Refuses To Fix. Is This Mold? Is It Dangerous?

A Leak My Landlord Refuses To Fix. Is This Mold? Is It Dangerous?

shaysoy Report

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#9

Landlord Decided To Turn Down The Heat Today In My Mn Apartment As It Reached -40°. But The Idiot Must Have Forgotten He Pays My Electric And Doesn't Realize That I Value My Comfort Over Safety Or Energy Conservation

Landlord Decided To Turn Down The Heat Today In My Mn Apartment As It Reached -40°. But The Idiot Must Have Forgotten He Pays My Electric And Doesn't Realize That I Value My Comfort Over Safety Or Energy Conservation

JohannReddit Report

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Anne
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I remember this story.. The heat turn down was at request of the energy company, so they could have every home not-freezing due to shortage on the grid or gas pipes. They had to be turned down to 15C (which is not warm, but above freezing). It was not the landlords idea to do this. This was an area-wide thing.

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#10

Landlord Charges Residents To Use The Elevator

Landlord Charges Residents To Use The Elevator

MeGusta1110 Report

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Pseudo Puppy
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

These costs, should be included in the quarterly Strata fees that all property owners should pay..... unless the entire complex is owned by one person, and they're just being a tight-a**e.

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dariab_1 avatar
Daria B
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Disabled, pregnant women, parents with little children and everyone with carriage or heavy groceries.

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ArchiBookworm
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This is illegal. It violates the ADA as it prevents equal use of the facilities. https://www.ada.gov/criminaljustice/cj_complaint.html

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JeffC
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

How generous of them allowing residents to come and go for free once a day....wait, nope, stairs are completely free with unlimited use!!! They must stop with all this generosity here it's just too much!!! lol

keychains2005 avatar
ArchiBookworm
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This is very illegal. This should not be included the rent or whatever. This is illegal. Full stop. From how the date is written, this is clearly in the US, which means the elevator falls under the ADA. The ADA guarantees full and equal access and paying for an elevator is not full and equal access.

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June Clavelle
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I guess those in wheelchairs have no choice...they can't use the stairs.

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Rosesinmyhair
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

In Australia this would have to be stated in your rental lease agreement. Otherwise it's illegal.

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Wyndmere
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

What a jerk. Everyone should boycott the elevator so he has this expensive but useless machinery in his building.

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Tess Butler
Community Member
1 month ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Thats like what amazon prime just did. They added ads and if you dont want ads you have to pay 2.99 more.

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Chris Challis
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

why would any tenant be liable for expenses outside the dwelling? And who is going to monitor the ups and downs in the elevator...

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Amanda Dorn
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

THAT'S not fair. BUT what if YOU were the landlord? If all the roles were reversed which side would you be on? My suggestion? Strive to be owner and absorb the cost yourself.

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Trialia Xua
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Tell me you're not actually serious. Try thinking about this from the viewpoint of a wheelchair user, for a minute.

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Sebastian Melmoth
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

So if one is wheelchair bound or deals with other mobility issues, they have to pay? Not cool...totes not cool. Pretty sure that is illegal in some way

ctodd1000 avatar
Catherine Todd
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

"The stairs are still free..." What the heck does this mean? That the landlord will or could start charging for the stairs at some unknown point in the future? Never heard of this ever; is this legal? Surely someone's apartment least should need to have this included, or it's not allowed.

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Kimberley Thom
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

WTF! How many floors does this place have and someone needs to charge that louse to breathe!

ltweezie avatar
Louise Stange-Wahl
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

WHAT! Is this in NYC? What about peeps who have wheelchairs and cannot walk the stairs..What an idiot!

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Kelly
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

In many private homes, elevators built in the '50 and '60 needed a coin to operate, in Italy. Free key access only for residents.

daveblack avatar
Dave Black
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Thats when id tape my own letter under it saying if they dont reverse their actions ill take it to the control board or w/e its called

i2027594 avatar
Valerie Lessard
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

what the f**k? What the hell is going through their tiny minds when they think this s**t up?

briguyct avatar
Brian Lavigne
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

lol..I hope the landlord stated in the lease that these charges would incur or he'll have a lawsuit!

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Lenka Smetanová
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

i live in residental house with elevator. Some years later the decided the 0 floor (actualy 1st floor, but the entrace was 'technically' basement) wont be able the use levator and blocket the elevator door at our floor from openings... They eventually reopen it when we stop paying the 'roof charge' when we dont have a roof. Because they earlier after our complaints told us that "we are the lowest floor so we can take stair instead and dont waste energy on using elevator, so we respodet that there is another apartment above us, so why pay that roof charge, when the roof have only the top apartments... also it is illegal, and when I sprain my leg they realized I can put them on court and won and get paid from them for not allowing me to use elevator with my injury.

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Bill
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

The Burge Khalif inUAE zhuts down elevators if tenants don't pay . Its the world's tallest building

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Radek Suski
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Meanwhile we in Europe have a hype of building fully accessible apartments

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Slinkman
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Well, this is not that unfair. The elevator costs money, and people cán take the stairs (otherwise they would never live here, seen the elevator is a new thing).

jitka-zachova avatar
Pamela24
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

They have that in my uncle's house where only some of the owner chipped in to build an elevator. So only the ones who are paying for it / paid for it have a card to use it. Which seems fair. I agree with Pseudo Puppy here, though, this should be in the monthly fees.

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Hans
Community Member
4 years ago

This comment is hidden. Click here to view.

I find this just. I lived in a flat where I never used the elevator and subsidised people who were too lazy to take 10 stairs (literally... Taking the elevator took three times as long). They eveb blocked it, chatting, being a nuisance to the only tenant in a whleelchair. A per use keycard ist just fine. Otherwise, all tenants pay the electricity in equal shares...

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#11

My Landlord Is Super Serious About Fire Safety

My Landlord Is Super Serious About Fire Safety

DeuceActual Report

#12

Landlord Responded Right Away When I Sent Him The Second Pic

Landlord Responded Right Away When I Sent Him The Second Pic

gargameljr Report

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varwenea
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

That's just disgusting! Thank goodness the person wasn't under that when everything fell!

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#13

Told My Landlord That There Was A Drip Coming From My Ceiling About Two Weeks Ago. They Did Nothing About It And I Woke Up To This This Morning

Told My Landlord That There Was A Drip Coming From My Ceiling About Two Weeks Ago. They Did Nothing About It And I Woke Up To This This Morning

_deathgrapes Report

#14

My Ceiling Caved In And The Landlord Said They Won't Fix It Until It Rains Again And They Can Find The Leak

My Ceiling Caved In And The Landlord Said They Won't Fix It Until It Rains Again And They Can Find The Leak

mstPenguin Report

#15

Landlord Promised To Install A Cat Flap In Our Back Door After Some Security Issues. Came Home To This

Landlord Promised To Install A Cat Flap In Our Back Door After Some Security Issues. Came Home To This

jimmyevil Report

#16

Landlord Ignored Me For Two Months About My Sparking Outlet, Got Worried About A Fire And Did It Myself And I Find This

Landlord Ignored Me For Two Months About My Sparking Outlet, Got Worried About A Fire And Did It Myself And I Find This

_ilovetofu_ Report

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varwenea
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Insulation has turned into mold/moss from moisture. Wires behind these walls that aren't well insulated will spark, as this person has already found. The entire wall could be a fire hazard.

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#17

Welcome To Renting In London! My Landlord Has Just Put Our Thermostat In A Cage

Welcome To Renting In London! My Landlord Has Just Put Our Thermostat In A Cage

alexmilsom Report

#18

Each Time We Ask Our Landlord To Fix The Shower They Just Add A New Nozzle

Each Time We Ask Our Landlord To Fix The Shower They Just Add A New Nozzle

TheFoolman Report

#19

My Friend Asked Me If This Message From Her 53-Year-Old Landlord Was Creepy

My Friend Asked Me If This Message From Her 53-Year-Old Landlord Was Creepy

vocatus Report

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Pseudo Puppy
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Run. now. Run, and never look back. This is HIGHLY ILLEGAL for him to be taking photos of you without permission etc, within this context of him being your landlord. I'd be changing the locks, and looking for hidden cameras now. Seriously

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#20

Landlord Fitted A Shower Head Holder, Perfect For When I Finish My Shift At The Chocolate Factory

Landlord Fitted A Shower Head Holder, Perfect For When I Finish My Shift At The Chocolate Factory

jbrgn Report

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#22

Our Landlord Installed The Locks To Our Front Door Backwards

Our Landlord Installed The Locks To Our Front Door Backwards

In7erted Report

#23

I Told My Landlord To Fix The Leak In The Ceiling. She Ignored Me

I Told My Landlord To Fix The Leak In The Ceiling. She Ignored Me

hellsoundsfantasticrightaboutnow Report

#24

My Landlord Said There Was A Pool, He Failed To Mention It Is Closed. Forever

My Landlord Said There Was A Pool, He Failed To Mention It Is Closed. Forever

Velosoul Report

#25

Landlord Hung The Microwave, This Is As Far As It Opens Before Hitting The Wall

Landlord Hung The Microwave, This Is As Far As It Opens Before Hitting The Wall

etchasketch4u Report

#26

My "Oh So Awesome" Landlord Quit Cleaning My Pool Cause Kids Who Weren’t Living Here Were Playing In It

My "Oh So Awesome" Landlord Quit Cleaning My Pool Cause Kids Who Weren’t Living Here Were Playing In It

abendlichter Report

#27

We Asked Our Landlord For A Bigger Table. He Built Us This

We Asked Our Landlord For A Bigger Table. He Built Us This

redditmarmot Report

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Foxxy’s #1 fan
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I don’t understand how a table is the landlords responsibility unless the place already came furnished (which isn’t common where I live).

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#28

The Landlord Decided To Get Rid Of This Tree For No Reason, Additionally Killing Newborn Birds In The Process

The Landlord Decided To Get Rid Of This Tree For No Reason, Additionally Killing Newborn Birds In The Process

Darkcomer96 Report

#29

My Landlord Promised To “Redo The Bathroom Floors.” This Was The Result

My Landlord Promised To “Redo The Bathroom Floors.” This Was The Result

tinderinbrooklyn Report

#30

A Rodent Died Under Our Sunroom This Winter And Stunk Up The House. This Was My Landlord's Answer To Fixing The Smell

A Rodent Died Under Our Sunroom This Winter And Stunk Up The House. This Was My Landlord's Answer To Fixing The Smell

TheRealRyanP Report

Note: this post originally had 55 images. It’s been shortened to the top 30 images based on user votes.

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