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64 Times Landlords Learned You Can’t Hide Bad Repairs Forever
Interview With Expert
If you’ve ever lived in a rental, you already know the struggle starts way before you even move in. First comes the exhausting hunt for a decent place that fits your budget, isn’t falling apart, and doesn’t require sacrificing your soul. Then there are the neighbors, who can range from pleasantly quiet to mysteriously loud at all hours. And of course, there are the landlords — the real wildcard in the rental experience. Some are helpful and reasonable, but others can be downright infuriating. From questionable repairs and bizarre rules to outright discrimination and classic “landlord specials,” renters have truly seen it all. Today, we’ve compiled a list of landlords who left tenants completely stunned with their behavior. Keep scrolling to see just how bad it can get.
This post may include affiliate links.
#1
Found In A Lease From 2014
I work as a social worker assisting formerly homeless clients, and I found this lease addendum on a lease from back in 2014. Please tell me I’m not the only one who thinks a landlord requiring 5-minute or less showers is ridiculous.
Sally Moen 11 hours ago
Homeless shelters do this, because THEY CAN ENFORCE IT. How is a landlord able to enforce what goes on in a private residence?
Gregory W 1 hour ago
Might be for a boarding house where people rent rooms and share everything else.
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Remi (He/Him) 5 hours ago
There's such a huge difference between how long it takes to shower when you have long hair compared to short.
Lyone Fein 5 hours ago
If the landlord is paying for the water and/or the heating then I can see why. But this is a good reason to not stay in a place where utilities are included. The landlord can place all kinds of restrictions on usage.
Cee Cee 9 hours ago
Ridiculous. I take around 15 minutes to shower and wash my hair and I'm not dawdling.
Crystalwitch60 2 hours ago
That here in uk would be ILLEGAL !! 100% Lol as the tenants pay for both electric and water bills , it’s got f k all to do with landlords how freaking long u spend in the shower , w*f is wrong with USA landlords 😡this is not right at all !
Upstaged75 1 hour ago
Again, you think you're an expert on all the laws in the UK. Just shut up and go away. You're SO full of BS. We all hate you and dread having to read your illiterate posts. 🙄
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RELATED:
#2
Owner Is Tearing Out Our Gardens And Putting In Grass And River Gravel
We chose this building because we were allowed to garden there. Have been here for 10 years. I am chronically ill and unable to work, so we are low-income. I have $25/month to spend on myself, and for the past 8 years have spent most of it on plants.
4 days ago, we got a notice on our doors that the owner has decided he wants a more uniform look, and will be replacing everything with gr and gravel. I just wanted to share my garden with someone before it is gone.
Jrog 10 hours ago
BP removed "a*s" from "grass". Guys, fix your f*ckin' autocensorship filters.
Fry Me A Liver 2 hours ago
The Scunthorpe problem rears its ugly head once again.
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Crystalwitch60 2 hours ago
Get your plants dug up fast , and put them in pots lovely so you get to keep your precious garden , 💔my gardens are my sanctuary, I’m same as you now ,plus housebound to ok in the sticks ,but not being private landlord we are free to do what we want , spending money planting in ground in private rent is pointless tbh hun put em all in pots ,they cannot legally remove them even in USA xxx
Andrew Keir 1 hour ago
We moved house about ten years ago, didn't realise what a rough area it was until we planted some flowers at the front and they were gone the next morning... There are b*st*rds everywhere...
Load More Replies... #3
Landlord Says The Door Isn’t Broken. Guess I Just Don’t Understand Modern Art
LakotaWolf (she/her) 2 hours ago
The door looks like fiberboard/presswood, so it's possible that it got water-damaged a while ago, which could have weakened the cráppy pressboard interior. It would have been swollen, possibly mouldy, and mushy inside. I'm not sure what caused the damage itself - maybe someone trying to break in? But the entire door also could have originally been the other way up (as in, the area that is currently the top used to be on bottom) and it was damaged by a dog ripping at it trying to get out. (Source: my Belgian Malinois did that to the garage door once, trying to get IN, lol.) And maybe the landlord flipped it so that the ripped-up area was at the top and then insisted the door was "fine" that way? :/ Honestly a little baffled. But it DOES look like dog damage on a cráppy, already-weakened fiberboard door.
Load More Replies... Lyone Fein 5 hours ago
There are probably municipal regulations that make this illegal. Someone at city hall will know what resources are available to you……like a local housing authority, etc. At the very least this is putting your safety at risk.
Crystalwitch60 2 hours ago
Wow , I’m so glad I live in uk, n yes I rent now but it’s a decent housing association home , (used to own my own for 30 yrs shite happens ) ,mind you private landlords can be 100 greedy s c u m , making people live in hovels not fit for a rat ! Even here in uk tbh this is ridiculous,dint USA have laws n people you can contact about this ?
High rent prices are often the first thing people complain about when it comes to renting. According to CNBC Make It, data analyzed from Apartment List shows that renting a one-bedroom apartment in New York costs around $2,008 per month in 2024. While rising prices are a major concern, they’re not the only reason renters feel frustrated. Bad neighborhoods, inconsiderate neighbors, and difficult landlords also play a huge role in making renting stressful. For many tenants, the landlord experience can be just as important as the rent itself.
#4
Goofy Landlord Making Up Rules And Wanting To Steal My Dishwasher
My landlord is very hands-off and recently hired property management, which has been nothing but a nightmare. They came to check the smoke detectors today, and I got this message 30 minutes after they left from the property manager (not the owner, she’s alright and pretty fair, so I’ll call her in the morning to explain the situation).
Anyway, he wants me to get rid of my washing machine, and now has decided the countertop dishwasher I bought with MY MONEY is considered an upgrade and now belongs to the unit. LOL!!
On-site laundry has been non-functional for months, btw, and costs 2.50 to wash and 1.50 to “dry” (if the dryer decides it likes you that day. And it’s hateful, so almost never.)
Glen Ellyn 10 hours ago
Wow. I hope you told your landlord that they hired the wrong property management. 🙄
Ivona 1 hour ago
I've never heard of countertop dishwashers and portable washing machines but I used to live in a house with coin-operated washer and dryer, and we used those most of the time (or a public laundromat). I wonder if OP's landlord doesn't like her appliances because the laundry facilities in the basement are coin-operated and he benefits from that.
moggiemoo 23 minutes ago
You can get both. They're not rare, albeit not that common.
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Michael MacKinnon 4 hours ago
If it's not physically attached to the building, it's not a fixture and doesn't become part of the property. Think curtain rods (fixture) but not curtains (separate).
#5
What A Wonderful Little Interaction To Add To My Evidence Of Property Mismanagement. A Gift Really
I also recorded a video of the inspector showing up 30 minutes late, cursing to himself when he realized I wasn't obligated to be available all day long.
Ivona 1 hour ago
Why would a person need a Tenants Advocacy Representative for a home inspection?
Lila Allen 1 hour ago
In case the landlord made false claims of property damage or false claims about the state of the tenant's home. These false claims are used to evict people
Load More Replies... #6
“When They Bring Jesus Into The Conversation”
Charlie the Cat 10 hours ago
Google says Numbers 18:21 in the Bible states that God gives the tithes (one-tenth) from the Israelites to the tribe of Levi as their inheritance and payment for their work serving in the Tabernacle.
Sam Trudeau 2 hours ago
From what I remember, Numbers is part of the old covenant fulfilled by Jesus. But still a***e of biblical passages
Load More Replies... Lyone Fein 5 hours ago
A tithe is supposed to come out of your own income/goods. You don’t charge other people money in order to raise the funds.
LakotaWolf (she/her) 2 hours ago
I'm sure this very Christian landlord considers the rental income from their tenants AS their "income" that the tithes should come from >:( (And while a landlord's income DOES come from the tenants renting the properties they own, and the properties ARE the landlord's "goods", doing a rent increase this way is incredibly shítty.)
Load More Replies... Ge Po 11 hours ago
That's using God's word in vain. Or is he going to perform sacrifices in their kitchens? Not sure whether that is legal? (The bible vers is about tithing, which again, in said verse, is about making sure the priests do not have to worry about food and shelter, but can keep doing their job as priests.)
Chich the witch 42 minutes ago
Isn't there something about rich people and camels and eyes of needles and whatnot?
Andrew Keir 1 hour ago
This would only work if the landlord was Jewish and of the Tribe of Levi (who have special privileges because of the religious work they do ). It's completely unacceptable for anyone else to use this Torah passage to demand money from you. I hate religious-sounding scams ...
We spoke with Priyanka, a sales manager at A&Z Realtors and Consultants, a premier real estate and consultancy firm based in Mumbai. She works closely with clients on property buying, selling, and rental consulting. Right off the bat, she shared, “People are always complaining about landlords.” According to her, most tenant issues don’t start with the property, but with how landlords handle agreements, communication, and basic responsibilities.
#7
Landlord Special, A Personal Favorite
Helped my buddy move into her apartment, and the kitchen cabinet had a screwdriver instead of a hinge pin, with a little landlord flair. Painted over in goopy white paint.
Mofeta Doug 4 hours ago
Not when you consider the time it takes to drive to the hardware store to buy one. The screwdriver was expedient.
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Crystalwitch60 2 hours ago
Illegal n dangerous, in uk we would call him a slum landlord , this isn’t right at all is it x
Upstaged75 1 hour ago
Oh really, do you live in the UK? 🙄Where did you go to law school?
Load More Replies... #8
I Gave Notice That I Was Moving Out. Received A Constant Bombardment Of Realtors Viewing My Apartment, And Then These Guys Trashed The Place
The apartment was a nightmare. Vibrating floors. Neighbours blasting music at 330AM. Roaches and mice are coming up into my unit from the Cobs Bread downstairs. This realtor, Hanibal Mehari, brought a group to my apartment, and they trashed the place.
My rear door was left unlocked. They opened all the windows (it was raining). They picked up one of the cockroach glue traps and stuck it to my bag for some reason. They put a hole in my door and filled my toilet, and didn't flush. They were only in there for 10 minutes. Hanibal was in front of the entire time, walking around in circles in my half-empty living room, kicking my shelves. They also went through all of my cupboards and were touching my food for some reason?
FoxThatHasFennecaphobia 5 hours ago (edited)
Buy a durian or something else that smells horrible and leave it there. You probably also want to buy something to block the smell
Andrew Keir 54 minutes ago
As you leave, open a can of cat-food and put it somewhere out of sight but warm.
Load More Replies... #9
Live-In Slumlord Hates When Other People Cook
He'll threaten to evict you if you make steamed rice, yet he'll cook fish all the time. He makes all of us feel like we're walking on eggshells, can't stand living with this person, but it's the only place I can afford.
Sally Moen 11 hours ago
I had the opposite problem once place I lived in, apt was a converted office space with drop ceiling, and kitchen had no outside venting working fan. Landlord lived on top floor and refused to fix or replace what was a (then) $75 hood replacement for the stove, so the apt had constant moisture problem.
Andrew Keir 53 minutes ago
Every nation has it's fair share of nasty people. Unfortunately. Research 'Rachman' if you're in the UK.
Load More Replies...One major red flag, Priyanka explains, is the absence of a proper lease. “If your landlord refuses to give a lease agreement, that’s a serious warning sign,” she says. A lease contract protects tenants from unfair eviction, sudden rent hikes, and unauthorized entry. Without it, renters are left vulnerable. She stresses that a written agreement is not optional, it’s essential for protecting both parties.
#10
It's Really Annoying That Life Is So Hard For Her
Remi (He/Him) 5 hours ago
Excellent work on the neighbors part on looking out for the health of other people
Lila Allen 1 hour ago
Making life hard for you by preventing you from renting a place with toxic health hazards????? W*F ma'am you shouldn't be trying to rent that.
#11
Landlord Asking For Damages Worth $6000 What Should I Do?
This is due to wear and tear only, I believe. The landlord also took $700 security deposit from me. I moved out nov1st and he did not even do the inspection at that time. I waited, but he did not show up. Today he mailed me these pictures and told me these damages are worth $6000, which I think is a joke
BeesEelsAndPups 10 hours ago
That can all be fixed with a magic eraser. I'm my state at least the landlord has 30 days to send an invoice for damages or they must refund you your security deposit. That invoice can be challenged.
Glenn Cuneo 5 hours ago
In WA state it's 14 days--- itemized bill, if not- you get the full refund.
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Jimmer 11 hours ago
Always take photos before you move in. Also, that is not even $700 worth of damage. Some city ordinances require an apartment to be painted between tenants.
Eggwodd 1 hour ago
ALWAYS take pictures the day you move in, with proof of date of pics of everything, even if you think it's silly, obviously old, anything. NEVER move out w/o doing the same thing. Check your lease before you move out and look for the cleaning requirements (professional carpet cleaner receipt, etc.). Being in the military made me a professional renter! We always left it looking better than when we moved in. The nicest landlord can easily turn into a nightmare, especially if a spouse is part owner.
Glen Ellyn 10 hours ago
Normal wear and tear, of course. A little paint will take care of most of it.
quentariel 4 hours ago
If that's not wear and tear, I dunno what is anymore. They are just scruff marks and are easily cleaned off.
Load More Replies... #12
My Landlord’s Glass Table Broke On The Deck Above Our Patio. She Refused To Clean It Because It Was “An Act Of God”
Crystalwitch60 2 hours ago
Act of god 😂😂😂 the mythical being appears to get the blame for EVERYTHING,😂😂
Privacy violations are another common issue renters face. Priyanka notes, “Some landlords don’t respect personal boundaries at all.” She gives an example of landlords entering apartments without notice or taking items from shared spaces while tenants are at work. This kind of behavior can feel invasive and unsettling. She emphasizes that tenants have a right to privacy and landlords must follow proper notice rules.
#13
Landlord Evicts Tenants For Drawing With Chalk On The Sidewalk And Wants To Call The Police
Glen Ellyn 10 hours ago
Press-a-dent?? Are they implying that writing with chalk causes dents?? Chalk? Um, that washes off when it rains. 🙄 What a piece of work this landlord is.
Lyone Fein 5 hours ago
Letting kids be creative in a nondestructive manner is the very opposite of bad parenting.
QuincyForrest 3 hours ago
Oh my gosh. I love seeing sidewalk chalk art. It harms nothing, goes away all on its own in just a week or so, gives children a healthy outlet for self expression and creativity and requires NO INTERNET OR ELECTRICITY OR ELECTRONIC DEVICES OR CONNECTION TO SOCIAL MEDIA... chalk art is silent and beautiful.
Sam Trudeau 2 hours ago
"This isn't vandalism, it washes right off" - Susie, Calvin and Hobbes
quentariel 4 hours ago
Unless the kids use their "horrible" chalks to write slurs or other inappropriate things, there's literally no harm in chalk art. Actually you can't even damage concrere with chalk no matter how hard you try.
#14
Told My Landlord The Toilet Wasn’t Leveled. Came Home From Work To Carpet Installed On My Floor
Crystalwitch60 2 hours ago
No it freaking doesn’t ,it’s totally unhygienic! Isn’t it ew
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#15
Landlord Is Gaslighting Us Into Thinking We Didn't Send A Notice Of Intent For Escrow
Bobby 4 hours ago
That's probably because it's from a messaging service not an actual phone. Depending on how it was set up that may be required
Load More Replies...Housing disrepair and poor maintenance also top the list of complaints. “Many landlords delay repairs or completely ignore maintenance requests,” Priyanka says. Leaky pipes, faulty wiring, broken appliances, and pest issues often go unresolved for weeks or months. Living in unsafe or uncomfortable conditions can take a toll on tenants’ physical and mental well-being. Timely maintenance is not a favor, it’s a responsibility.
#16
Landlord Sent Someone Over To Give The Pecan Tree A "Trim"
Mind you, the tree wasn't in the way in regards to the driveway or the foundation, and I never once complained about it other than the occasional smacking my head on a singular low hanging branch (I'm five nothing, that's a really low hanging branch) I loved having it there despite it constantly raining unripened pecans because it was at the perfect angle to provide ample shade for my truck year round. Now I have no shade. And it's still 90° outside.
Glen Ellyn 10 hours ago
Is landlord jealous of your shade? If he can't have shade, nobody can, I guess. ¯\_(ツ)_/¯
Big Chungus 1 hour ago
They pruned it instead of trimming. The tree will most likely come back bigger and thicker, but for now it is unfortunately ugly
LakotaWolf (she/her) 2 hours ago
My mother once had this done to my loquat tree in MY backyard. That tree is almost 15 years old and I raised it from a tiny sapling myself. My mother had the gardeners butcher it - it looked like the poor pecan tree afterwards. The house I live in does belong to my mother legally, but that was MY d**n tree that I love dearly. It's taken years for the tree to recover - it's been 4 years since she had it mutilated and this year is the first year it's put out flowers since. Hoping it's recovered enough for those flowers to fruit into loquats again :)
#17
Housing Discrimination Based On Nationality?
Based in England, and wondering if they’re allowed to do this? The advert was on the right move and nowhere does it state it’s reserved for migrants, refugees, or any kind of positive discrimination situation.
The message is from the agent who’s communicating with the landlord to me, and they said it’s not discriminatory and that’s just a “personal requirement” from the landlord, but everyone else around me is saying it is.
I’m just very confused and wondering if this is worth reporting, and if so, to whom do I report this?
Andrew Keir 46 minutes ago
Try the Council. They might be able to tell you who can help - and 'personal requirement' = 'discrimination' anyway.
#18
If At First You Don't Succeed, Try More Tape. Thanks, Landlord
WindySwede 11 hours ago
"And if at first you don't succeed (Oh) Then dust yourself off and try again" 🎵🎵
Jaya 9 hours ago (edited)
Meh, I have a drawer in my fridge that's held together by tape on 1 side too, because you can't buy a new fridge drawer on it's own and I'm not gonna buy a whole new fridge just because the drawer is broken. I did tape it together much more nicely than this though.
LakotaWolf (she/her) 2 hours ago
As someone who has sourced and purchased a great many fridge shelves and drawers, you're completely incorrect. You usually CAN buy a single drawer or shelf on its own from either a parts supplier or the manufacturer itself. My family has owned a housecleaning service since the early 90s, and sometimes our employees break things - including fridge drawers and shelves - while they're cleaning. I've found OEM parts almost every time - the only exception is when the fridge is very old (like over 15 years old) and even then, you can sometimes find OEM parts on eBay/etc.
Load More Replies...Poor communication is another frequent complaint. Priyanka notes, “Some landlords simply stop responding once the rent is paid. Messages go unanswered, calls are ignored, and concerns are brushed aside.” This creates stress and uncertainty for tenants. When landlords don’t listen, renters feel undervalued and unheard. She points out that clear, timely communication makes a huge difference in maintaining a healthy rental relationship.
#19
Landlord Insists This Is Completely Normal
Dude’s house is literally splitting in two, with large cracks forming in every room of his house and growing daily (no exaggeration), and yet he claims it is normal settling due to the clay beneath the foundation.
He also added, “You aren’t a homeowner, so you wouldn’t know.”
ƒιѕн 4 hours ago
All houses will settle to some degree over time, when that happens some hairline cracking can occur. Larger rapid cracking usually indicate foundation issues.
Robin Roper 24 minutes ago
Settling with cracking is normal so. It's unsightly and if continues could signify a bigger problem.
Andrew Keir 44 minutes ago
He's not a mother so he wouldn't know, either. Two can play that silly game ...
#20
Landlord Shut Off Water To Whole Building
This is now the 2nd time I’ve come home to no water at my apartment. The water is shut off to the whole building, not individual units. There was no notice the 1st time, and this note was left at my door the 2nd time (today). The first time, it was only off for a few hours. This time it has been off since the time stamp in the email (10.5 hrs so far), and it is off indefinitely.
UnclePanda 5 hours ago
Flooding is a valid reason to enter the apartment regardless of the tenant's wishes.
Andrew Keir 43 minutes ago
"Purposefully running her water and doing laundry" - arrest that criminal !
#21
Dirty Water Backed Up Into The Living Room (Also My Bedroom)
The past year and a half, I have been staying with a dear family of three: two friends and their small child. My ex-husband kicked me out a few months after I became physically disabled, and they took me in like a stray cat a few months after that. We started as mere acquaintances and have become family. It’s because of their selfless love and support that I have been able to take any steps forward in life. They don’t have much, but anything they have, they’ve shared.
And now they’re going to have to fight with their annoying, cheap landlord, on getting this fixed in a timely manner…This isn’t the first time there’s been flooding issues. And so far, no emergency plumbing lines are answering.
Someday I’ll be able to help them like they’ve helped me, and that will be a good day.
Jane Doe 2 hours ago
OP moved in with friends. Their apartment has a leak in the floor. Landlord ignores it. OP hopes in the future to be able to get them out of this garbage place.
Load More Replies... Andrew Keir 41 minutes ago
Tenants might be in trouble with the landlord for taking in a 'guest', even allowing for the circumstances. Might have to be on the DL about some of this.
She adds that ignoring tenant concerns often leads to bigger problems down the line. “When landlords don’t listen to complaints early on, small issues can turn into serious conflicts,” Priyanka explains. Tenants may feel forced to escalate matters or even move out. A lack of responsiveness can damage trust and create unnecessary tension between both sides.
#22
I Was Denied A Viewing For This Apartment Because I'm A Guy
Sally Moen 11 hours ago
Was this a shared apt? That's the only reason I can think of for denying a male tenant. Unless it's a female residence, like the YWCA, or a convent.
Ivona 1 hour ago
If the landlord rents each room separately and there are shared facilities, e.g. bathrooms, living room, kitchen, it's normal to rent to people of the same gender.
NapQueen 7 hours ago
As sexist as it sounds, they have a right to choose which gender they are most comfortable with, because it's a living situation. I think if they gave more of an explanation, you would understand it a bit more.
LakotaWolf (she/her) 2 hours ago
Depending on where this took place, there are laws in place that disallow landlords from discriminating against potential tenants' race, ethnicity, religion, séxual orientation, gender, and gender expression (at least in California, where I live.) Of course, a landlord can still choose to CHOOSE a female tenant, and just not actually TELL the male applicants anything, but actually SENDING A MESSAGE that says "prefer female candidates" is hella illegal, depending on where this took place. And no, they don't have a "right to choose which gender they are most comfortable with" - that's not a "right". Generally speaking, in the US, both federal AND state laws prohibit discrimination in housing based on séx and gender, with very few exceptions. Again, I'm speaking of the US as an example (and it's because it's what I know) - it may be different in other countries.
Load More Replies... #23
“Wall Of Shame”
Lila Allen 55 minutes ago
It's about a month to a month and a half's worth of rent so not that far behind
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#24
Our Ceiling Was Leaking For Nearly A Year Before The Landlord Finally Had It Fixed: This Happened Last Night
Wrapping up, Priyanka concludes, “A good landlord is someone who is transparent, respectful, and responsive.” She believes most rental disputes can be avoided with clear agreements, mutual respect, and open communication. When landlords treat tenants fairly, long-term relationships naturally improve. It benefits everyone involved.
#25
Landlord Installed Ethernet Cords Throughout The House, But They're Useless
WindySwede 11 hours ago
Cause at roof? If so attache a AP? Also OP was wrong? "I stand corrected. Are these available at Walmart? I need a hardwired connection to computers upstairs"
Billo66 3 hours ago
Windy, If you mean the CAT5 cable (Ethernet wire) Yes Walmart carries that and the wall mount plates if you need them. Amazon as well. I have hudreds of feet of the stuff. They remodeled the County courthouse and my Dad is the Comissioner so he got to bring home all the extra stuff. No he didn't steal it the Mayor asked to haul it off so we hauled it home.
Load More Replies... #26
Picked Up My Keys Today, And My Landlord Didn’t Even Know About This Awesome Feature. So Much Fresh Air
Andrew Keir 37 minutes ago
There is a danger that the landlord will have spotted this by the time you move out ... no walkthrough inspection => everything that is wrong, is now your fault.
Load More Replies... michael reid 1 hour ago
Yeah that's someone trying to open the window while the house is empty
#27
Landlord Took $1850 Out Of Our Deposit For Carpet And Cleaning
Sally Moen 11 hours ago
Post-rental cleaning services are a lucrative business if you have connections to big rental properties. They, the rental companies, like to apply deposit monies to cleaning when it can easily be absorbed into the cost of business. Contest this with documentation of what apt looked like in move-in and move-out. Most units gets recarpeted after 3 years so getting charged for carpet cleaning is a scam on their end
Lila Allen 51 minutes ago
Our state has a law that requires the landlord to replace carpet every 5 years. Our landlord tried to charge us for carpet replacement. I sent her a copy of the law and told her to return the deposit or we would see her in small claims court. She actually went to court and was big mad that the judge didn't back her up. She still claims we robbed her.
Load More Replies...These posts circulating online highlight many of the same red flags Priyanka mentioned. They serve as reminders for renters to stay alert and informed. Have you ever had a bad experience with a landlord? How did you deal with it?
#28
This Is What Is Considered An Acceptable "Repair" When It Comes To Student Housing. Seriously?
Lila Allen 50 minutes ago
Ah student housing... where the motto is " we don't charge you as much as a real apartment so suck it up"
#29
Yeah I’m Not Getting My Security Deposit Back
Asked my landlord, who has a strange sentimental attachment to my apartment and tends to linger around the property finding “projects” to complete, if she’d like to check my work before I submit my move-out checklist and turn in my keys. Figured it’d be nice to have an idea of how much of my deposit I can expect back and re-clean anything I might have missed in my deep clean.
She shows up with a flashlight and a roll of painters' tape and flags any evidence with a piece of tape and tells me I must properly clean to not be charged… Told myself that security deposit is a lost cause and turned in my keys…
Sally Moen 11 hours ago
That level of cleaning is what new tenants expect on move-in, so unfortunately it is worth doing a deep clean. Rent a carpet machine, buy a steam cleaning machine for the greasy walls in the kitchen, clean behind & under the stove and fridge, etc. Otherwise just give up on your deposit
Lila Allen 49 minutes ago
You can do all that and they will still take your deposit. I've even fully and professionally repainted the entire place, replaced a door, had the carpet professionally done and had the place cleaned by the same pro they use and had the landlord try to claim the deposit. Had to fight her in court to get it back.
Load More Replies... #30
Landlord Trying To Charge 600$ For A Replacement Toilet
The first week we moved into our new place, I was sitting on the toilet, and it cracked at the tank when I sat up. It was already very loose and wobbly. The whole toilet had to be replaced, and now they are trying to charge 600$ for the replacement. Tell me if I’m crazy, but normally toilet tanks don’t break unless there is already an issue, like a crack. Am I nuts for saying I shouldn’t have to pay? An image is attached below
Jimmer 10 hours ago
A toilet at a box store is about $150 plus the seal and installation costs. Ask for a copy of the bills and read your lease. Always read your lease and if you disagree with something, add an addendum and have both you (and any others in the unit paying rent) and the landlord initial the amendments.
Brian Droste 2 hours ago
You are renting the living area. Any major problems with the building or permanent fixtures such as replacing a toilet should be on the landlord. Not the tenant. Before you moved in the landlord should have inspected everything to make sure everything was in proper working order before you ,over in. This is on the landlord.
Pferdchen 3 hours ago
I'm guessing that someone over-tightened a nut and bolt that attaches the tank to the base of the toilet. which would be located precisely at the lower end of that fracture. I'm embarrassed to say that I speak from experience. It might have been a hairline fracture that grew because the toilet rocked because it wasn't secured to the floor properly.
Skywitness 20 minutes ago
I have rental properties and I wouldn't charge for the replacement of a toilet unless I saw clear damages done by the tenant. You didn't have time to make that damage unless it was improperly installed, still not your problem.
#31
This Water Pipe… “Not Related To Rats”
That our landlady insisted was nothing to do with the “mice” in our house. We have rats. We have seen them. We hear them constantly, and the “bait” that’s gone down does absolutely nothing despite them eating it constantly.
Andrew Keir 33 minutes ago
I'd agree with Jimmer - although in some locations the rats have evolved to relish rat-poison. Try a different brand, with different ingredients. And use gloves when handling either the poison or the rats.
Jaya 9 hours ago
Glue traps are inhumane t*****e devices, that are banned in some countries for this reason.
Load More Replies... #32
Requested Deposit Return, $945 Landlord Sent A Text Saying I Owed $12,000+?!
Should I sue my previous landlord for wrongfully withholding my deposit? I just moved out 21 days ago, tomorrow.
Background: Unexpectedly had my boyfriend stay with me (6 months). The rent agreement specified guest limitations. The landlord verbally approved and allowed him to stay multiple times. Good went bad, and he (&his fiancée, who lived there part-time) began changing rules/making things difficult, so we moved out.
When I requested my deposit back, he is now requesting back rent for my boyfriend being there. We stayed in the room 90% of the time, cleaned, and did our best to keep up with landlord requests: more chores, etc. There was never an issue until suddenly, 4 months in, he began requesting my bf not to stay as much, which we respected and followed. Other complications happened, which forced an sooner move out for us. I let him keep my 'last month' $945. Not worth staying in the discomfort they created. He now says I owe him almost $13,000?! "Based on hotel fees/damages," I also talked to 2 other previous tenants, and they still have not been given their full deposits 6+months later. I'm massively discouraged and enraged. I don't want to be taken advantage of. But should I try to move forward legally, or cut losses and block/not respond?
Unfortunately, I believed his good intentions at first and took him at his word when we discussed my bf's staying/updates. I have limited texts/photos/records of the room and our conversations.
LakotaWolf (she/her) 2 hours ago
This is why you NEVER just leave things at a "verbal agreement". It can turn into "he said/she said" so easily. Get something notarized in writing, or at LEAST get text messages between you and the landlord agreeing to xyz thing so you have SOME kind of "paper trail". A "verbal only" agreement is dangerous.
Andrew Keir 31 minutes ago
Mind you , if the landlord was aware of your 'guests' and didn't indicate that he would charge when he became aware, then he may have difficulty explaining things to a court...
Load More Replies... #33
Landlord Boxed My Car In With Snow
We have to park on the side of the building when there’s a snowstorm so he can plow. I came home when it had already snowed, and my car was sliding and swerving while trying to park. I tried so many times to park on the side but ended up just pulling straight forward because I feared I would hit another car. I had hoped I was off to the side enough that it wouldn’t be a big deal, but I woke up the next morning to this.
Andrew Keir 29 minutes ago
When you dig yourself out, I can't even think where you'd put the snow ... nope, no ideas. Where did you say the landlord lived, exactly ?
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#34
It’s 10 O’clock At Night. This Is The Inside Temperature Of Our Apartment
A/C went out LAST JUNE. There was a switch in owners right around this same time. The landlord technically stayed the same. Previous owners were informed, who informed the landlord. He sent HVAC out for a quote and never followed up despite my begging for mercy at that point. I had to wait everyday in the sweltering heat, just hoping someone would show up, as I was never “allowed” the landlord’s number and had to communicate through the previous owners.
Flash forward to a couple of weeks ago, and it is still not fixed. And getting extremely hot out. Last week, there was even a weather alert for the heat wave. I sent a very angry maintenance request as it seems they’ve completely forgotten about me, and the small portable replacement A/C the previous owners gave me was just not cutting it. I even mentioned contacting BBB. Lo and behold, I get an almost immediate response (very AI sounding as well) that is profusely apologizing, but insisting they never received notice of the A/C going out. Which is impossible- I didn’t call HVAC myself!! Also, my two previous maintenance requests, which were about a different matter, and more polite and formal, were never investigated, then unjustly marked as done. So I was also very done with them.
It took a week, but they finally got someone out here who worked on it, but apparently messed it up. So now we have to wait for another technician. I’m starting my cycle, so I’m extra emotional and have a horrible attitude. I’m mostly writing this here to vent my anger so I don’t strangle anybody. Thank you for reading if you got this far. (Also new to this sub, so not sure if the flair is appropriate, sorry if it’s not)
#35
This Is My Landlord Special
Andrew Keir 26 minutes ago
Is that a mains power socket? Probably not too horrible *once the plaster had set* but anyway ... yikes ...
#36
Former Landlord Charging Me $4k For Damages. Lease Ended On The 15th
Lila Allen 45 minutes ago
Depends.. if the cat truly did pee in the apartment then those charges are more than fair. It takes professional gear to remove cat pee and even then it's not always possible
#37
Is This Legal?
I live in Oregon and have a private landlord. It stated in my lease that they would use some of my deposit for carpet shampooing and cleaning the blinds, and to NOT patch any nail holes. They asked us not to mount any TVs to avoid large holes, which we complied with. We even avoided mounting furniture against the wall at the expense of our small children’s safety, and only used thumbtacks and small nails to hang lightweight photos, and they still charged for them. I cleaned and scrubbed this house top to bottom. The cabinets were pristine, walls clean with only minor dings and scratches from furniture bumping into them over time. The fake wood floors were in great condition. I can’t think of any reason why they would need to be ALL refurbished? So much of this feels like just minor wear and tear, which feels insulting enough that they feel the need to take our entire deposit for it, but to then ask for an additional $110 is insane.
Jimmer 10 hours ago
Find a Tenants Association and look at small claims court rules. Normal wear and tear (e.g. small nail holes) typically cannot be billed. Also, if they did not provide a list of clean up duties prior to moving out, they can't make it up. Always best to take move in/move out photos. I've had to sue landlords twice for deposit return, won both times. Just need to know the law, and it is usually city regulations, not state law.
#38
Landlord Has Zip Tie On Fire Extinguisher, Isn’t This A Fire Safety Hazard?
Sally Moen 11 hours ago
You do see a certain type of zip tie used, but it's not this type. The ones I see at different work sites, including govt offices, use the type of zip tie that will hold the tab closed but can easily be ripped apart so the canister can be taken off the hanger and then used. These zip ties would need a knife or similar to start the canister in case of a fire, which could cost lives in an emergency. Your local fire dept would be very interested to see this
UnclePanda 5 hours ago (edited)
I have one fire extinguisher that spits the metal safety pin out over time. I've thought about doing something like this but eventually realized that it's ok as is, it's just a little eager to have an adventure.
Skywitness 19 minutes ago
I used to install these. They break easily and are meant to keep the pin and the updated label in place.
#39
This Appeared Over Night
I was hoping someone could tell me what they think this is. It wasn’t there yesterday. My landlord has been promising to do repairs for over 2 years and is reluctant to do so. I’ve sent him the picture and am waiting for a reply.
Jimmer 10 hours ago
Mold. There are millions of kinds and they love to live in the walls behind showers that were proper grout and caulking were not maintained. Or in homes that have been flooded. Bleach is a temporary remedy, and pay attention to any sudden lung problems you may have. A couple of decades ago I showered in a bathroom with black mold, unknowingly, and had serious lung problems. If you are ever rehabbing a bathroom, use hardie board, also known as cement board.
#40
Locked Out
After driving 16 hours from Vancouver Island to Edmonton, we are locked out of our apartment at 2 am because our landlord changed our locks and did not tell us the code. Our lease started on Aug. 1. We have not been there to stay yet because we still had some packing up to do on the island. Our landlord said he might put in a new lock, but that he would tell us the code if he did. He never told us the code, so we assumed our physical key would still work. Nope. So now we have to call a locksmith, and it is probably gonna cost us upwards of 150 bucks to get into our own place.
#41
Flipped My Mattress, Big Mold Spot
#42
First Time I've Seen This Tactic
Very kind of them to allow the opportunity to reveal how much more we can afford to have extracted from us. Current rent is $1550. Better appointed comps in a few block radius are $1400-1600 with MANY listings older than 30 days. Our average energy costs are about $270/month, and the A/C can't even hold 73 degrees in summer because of extremely poor insulation. Non-desirable northeastern US city.
Sally Moen 10 hours ago (edited)
Rents are increasing and I don't know where people are moving to. Are they able to move in with relatives?
LakotaWolf (she/her) 2 hours ago
That's what I had to do when I finally escaped my 24-year-long abúsive relationship. My mom owns several properties and I moved back "home" into one that is next door to the house I grew up in. (I consider it fully "living with relatives" because my mom knocked out the backyard walls between the two houses and I am not allowed to lock the garage door, so my mother and sister come into the house all the time, whenever they want to.) Right now there's no way I can afford to rent a place on my own (yet)
Load More Replies...
#43
My GF’s Landlord With A Crazy Work Landlord Special. Meet The New Thermostat
Sally Moen 11 hours ago
Look for "locked thermostat hacks", there are some effective ways to keep you place comfortable
Nuku Nyara 4 hours ago
I would order a face plate for the same brand of thermostat and order a replacement key for that lock box. Sometimes we find that a lot if locks like that are easy to find online. Sometimes there's a number on the face of the lock for reference, like an A-05 or 3800.
#45
Landlord Thinks It’s "Unbelievably Disrespectful". I Did A Radon Test In A Garden Unit. Advice Or Thoughts?
For some more context:
I’m in Denver, where there are strict Radon laws. This includes that the landlord must legally disclose any prior inspections, tests, or abatements before a tenant signs a lease. I didn’t get anything from my landlord.
I’m an Environmental Engineer, and due diligence and testing are just what I know. I was in no way trying to be disrespectful by doing a couple of mail-in radon tests. Could I have let them know? Sure, but then they would have just said they had the place inspected in 2023 and that it was fine, when the test says there is a health risk.
Also, note that although we like our place and the location is nice, the apartment itself certainly is not. It’s affordable, you could say, and it shows in the interior. This isn’t a large complex or anything, either. Just a person renting out a house in a top and bottom unit.
Jimmer 10 hours ago
Research what is called a constructive eviction. Document the response and report them to the authorities since Denver is strict on this, they can't kick you out based on getting a radon test. Your landlord is on thin ice and probably not even aware of the law. So I would take more of an "educational" approach rather than confrontational. But you may end up having to find a new place. Wish you the best, that rental market is tough.
Jimmer 8 hours ago
In tight rental markets, you have a day or two to commit. That leaves zero time if you need to make a deposit and a commitment. Also, this person is already in their apartment.
Load More Replies...
#46
Accidentally Paid May’s Rent (Auto Pay) When I Moved Out April 30th And Now My Landlord Is Ghosting Me
It’s the 13th, and I told her the 1st. I don’t understand how I still don’t have a refund for May’s rent. I can understand the security deposit, but now she is ignoring me. Am I being impatient?
#47
How Would You Hide This Landlord Special?
Glen Ellyn 10 hours ago
Assuming it's not vented to the outdoors, I'd move it so at least it's centered.
#48
My Oven Hood Fell Off The Wall Randomly Today
I was sitting in my room and heard an extremely loud burst of banging. I ran out to find this. My heat also randomly stopped working today, and then the window of my car wouldn't roll down during a drive-thru.
Also, I rent, so I'm guessing this was put up with the landlord specifical.
Jimmer 10 hours ago (edited)
They didn't install the appropriate vent shaft. Look up under the cupboards to see if there is an option for an external vent, if not, it should have been an unvented range hood. Sorry I'm making so many comments. My family built houses and I worked kitchen & bath at home depot but often ended up helping out in plumbing. I learned a lot from this guy "Fred the Plumber" when he was helping customers.
Lila Allen 40 minutes ago
I find your comments very helpful. I'm not much for DIY so some of these pictures don't make sense to me. Thanks for posting
Load More Replies... #49
Came Home After A Work Trip To This Window Crushing My Plants
My landlord just said, “Uh, yeah, you should’ve checked the tape”. It was taped outside, didn’t notice when I did my move-in inspection.
RIP to two of my plant babies.
Jimmer 10 hours ago
Double hung sash. It wasn't secured properly. Those windows are meant to be pulled in so you can clean the outside. Once the bottom one is brought into this position, you can lower the top one and do the same. They often have latches at the top of the bottom sash that need to be locked into the frame. Hope your plants survive.
Lila Allen 39 minutes ago
Oh wow. How do you get these and could you install them in standard windows? I would love windows like that
Load More Replies... Brian Droste 2 hours ago
Many years ago I bought a house trailer. The back upper door corner was bent in. I went and got a tool to straight it out. When I did the whole door fell out. I had to buy a whole new door for it.
#50
What Is This Joke?
Please... Make it make sense. 80 degrees. 80... degrees. They'll love that. That's what it is outside.
Flair because... Truly a landlord special.
Jimmer 10 hours ago
80 is not enough to k**l bedbugs. This notice should have been provided by the exterminator because this is not normal process to rid a large unit building of bedbugs. The chemicals used are potentially toxic/hazardous. Have a conversation with your local health department.
#51
A Landlord's Solution To A Missing Sign In What Would Be Considered A Fairly Upscale Building
#52
Landlady Refusing To Replace The Rubber (Seals?) In The Windows
Been noticing a lot of cold around the flat as of late, I know it's that time of year, etc, but it's been unusually cold, to the point where you can feel the breeze in the flat when there's a gust of wind. Now I think I've found the culprit. Many of the rubber seals around the windows in the flat have either perished altogether and/or do not sit tight against the windows. My landlady has refused to replace them on the grounds that I did not mention this to her when I moved in 6 months ago. Yeah? Why would I? It was warmer back then, and I couldn't feel the wind from outside! She is now ignoring me/letting the agent completely in regards of this issue and has told me to replace them myself should I want them fixed. Unreal.
Sally Moen 10 hours ago (edited)
Bubble wrap, taped onto windows, sealed around edges, worked pretty well for me the past 5 years, at different places and different sized windows. Its temporary and not terribly pricey as a cold blocker
#53
My Dead Grandma's Landlord To My Mom After Finally Returning The Security Deposit
The security deposit was supposed to be returned by July 31st. She claimed she mailed it, but upon a stern text, immediately sent a test $1 via Zelle and then the deposit -$1 lol
My Grammy died in May, and she has been like this the entire time. If she wasn't dealing with so much other stuff, she would have pursued something regarding the late payment, but, you know, her mom is gone. If they hadn't lay down the law with her, she would have never returned it.
#54
My Landlord Recently Texted Me To Let Me Know I’ve Been Paying My Rent $0.10 Below The Amount Listed In My Lease Agreement
TEN CENTS… For the last two months… Fine, whatever.., but then requested the $0.20 be reimbursed in my next check, lmao also I pay a suspiciously high monthly rent for renting a rent-stabilized unit (unrenovated, outdated railroad unit at that). I am just floored at him almost insinuating that this “underpayment” is causing him financial troubles, HIM!!!
P.S. His father just died (my original landlord), and he just inherited all of the properties lol get a real job instead of relying on collecting exorbitant checks from working class folks.
michael reid 1 hour ago
1 penny or 1000 dollars makes no difference you both need to uphold your end of the contract. If you'd overpaid you'd expect the money back, off your next month's rent maybe.
#55
Poor Landlord Is Falling Behind Because His Tenant Can’t Pay His Mortgage
Poor fella wants sympathy and advice from poor people because he can’t afford his second property.
#56
Thought You Guys Would Enjoy This Exchange. Does Anyone Know Of This App With The Names And The Places?
#57
New Landlords Are "Temporarily Vacating" Everyone To Do Reno, But Really Just Mean Kicking Everyone Out. No Timeline Given On It
No details on where to "temporarily vacate" to. Yay.
#58
Landlord Says Replace Smoke Detector Battery Myself. I Don't Have A Big Enough Ladder
#59
“Karma Is Real”. He'd Better Hope Not
#60
Has Anyone Received A Landlord Note Like This?
Landlord left a copy attached to every door in my son's complex. I couldn't believe it when I saw it! Are all of those requirements legal? I could understand if it was listed in a lease that was signed, but to come up with a handwritten list of requirements doesn't seem right.
Sally Moen 10 hours ago (edited)
Check your lease, respond with a certified letter showing copy of lease with details you note. Describe what is NOT on lease therefore cannot be enforced by landlord
#61
Whhhhyyyyy Do Landlords Always Pick This Flooring!?
We finally got that dip in our floor fixed and they ended up "replacing" the floors (putting new flooring on top of the old one).
I'm so pressed about the ugly millennial grey. Like, everything in the kitchen is yellow, beige, or light wood tones. WHYYYYY would they choose this hideous grey!? Now my kitchen is never going to look right unless they redo the entire thing.
And I promise you, they won't, not until we move out at best. It took me years to get them to fix a major dip in the floor, they are under no means going to be doing cosmetic fixes on these apartments. Especially with having so many city citations recently.
I'm just so sick of this "modern" look! It's soulless! It's ugly! And the guy couldn't move the fridge properly, so he just put this stop on the edge after knocking my coffee flavor down. It was already hard to sweep in that corner, now it's impossible because that black thing stands up like a wall.
I'm just so depressed that my apartment got somehow uglier. All I've ever wanted was to live in a pretty home, but I just can't afford it (I'm on no income while I wait for disability, and I'm lucky I have a home at all at this point, so I really should be grateful, and I am, I'm just also sad). I'm so heartbroken. I hate this so much.
#62
My Landlord's "Office Hours"
We live in a small apartment complex (9 total units with a property manager occupying one). The property owner is 95 years old. We pay our rent to a trust. The property manager is in his 70s and simply cannot do this job. He dropped off his office hours to us with our new lease today. We honestly don't care. We have no qualms knocking on his door or calling him regardless of the time. This just irks me that he tried to pull this.
Sally Moen 11 hours ago
I don't understand the problem. He doesn't take care of issues, is that it?
#63
My Landlord Got A Tape Measure To Cut Lemon Bars Equally
#64
(PA) Unannounced Entry Turned Into My Landlord Destroying My Phone
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What do you think ?
Apatheist Account2 1 hour ago
Fortunately the only time I ever rented was when I moved into a room to share a flat with the person who was already renting and still living there, so it was in her interest to maintain the place. It was only for four months, then bought my own place, so no real drama. I've been very fortunate with housing :)
Apatheist Account2 1 hour ago
Fortunately the only time I ever rented was when I moved into a room to share a flat with the person who was already renting and still living there, so it was in her interest to maintain the place. It was only for four months, then bought my own place, so no real drama. I've been very fortunate with housing :)
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