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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.

#1

So My Friend's Landlord Thinks This Is No Big Deal

So My Friend's Landlord Thinks This Is No Big Deal

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

Fungi. Showing there is a serious problem with a leak behind there.

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

Landlord ; 'i must have forgotten te tell you that you were renting our beloved Mush-room'

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

Advice for American tenants: Get a lawyer, have them send your landlord a letter stating you’re withholding rent until the issue is resolved, and set up an account for you to deposit your rent payments in. Then wait for your landlord’s reply. You have a right to withhold rent if your landlord doesn’t keep the property up to code—-BUT you can’t just do it on your own. You need legal backup. I wish you luck.

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

Please move as soon as you can, if you haven't already. I developed pneumonia from a damp flat and have had problems ever since. I should have moved out as soon as I realised there was a damp issue.

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

^^^^^this is serious! My mum recently developed a fungal infection in her lungs because of damp conditions and when I was small, there was a *huge* amount of this fungus called dry rot under my room. I STILL have lung issues from it.

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Kioh81
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Forget the mushrooms, that entire wall/ceiling has serious water damage/leaks. You can get really REALLY sick from that. The mold and mildew alone can be serious dangerous to your health, especially if it is black mold. The mushrooms release spores and most mushrooms are poisonous so there's that too.

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

If you are a short Italian plumber who usually wears a red t-shirt and denim dungarees, I suggest you eat that..

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N'LIGHTEN IN'ERGY
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Whatever you do DO NOT RENT from SELMA LEWIS in Bronx, New York. She's a landlord from hell.

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

Moved in to an apartment in July, by Fall/Winter I had mushrooms growing through my carpet by the sliding glass door. Couldn't believe it. Of course my plants really liked the place with ALL of the moisture! My 3yr old (at the time) daughter and I finally moved out after her year+ of constant monthly ear infections and my constantly missing work. Wish I had reported the complex to the health department. At the time though I was just glad to be moved out of there and that my daughter wouldn't have any more ear infections. My boss was starting to not be too happy about my absences. Finally when it was time to move I mentioned to my superior that my absences should be a thing of the past....had to call in that next week after moving. My daughter had the chicken pox!!

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

"This sir is the living room, on your left is the bathroom, through here is the bedroom, and up here is the mushroom "

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

Remember (way back) in "Invasion of the Body Snatchers", the health inspector is squabbling with a restaurant owner over whether they're looking at a rat turn or a raisin? Health inspector finally goes "Okay, if it's a raisin, you eat it!"

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

"We're going to have to raise your rent, now that you're living in a 'garden' apartment."

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TheYTguy1
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

How tf in mushrooms growing off the roof not a problem ?!!

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

Free psilocybin. Stop complaining. Or you know do something about it yourself

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

Careful, or the landlord will charge you extra rent if he finds out that you are gardening on his property!

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

Oh my God... Judging by the severe water damage around the window indicates there's a really amount of black mold growing inside those walls too... That's lawsuit material...

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

I would be long gone by now, but I know that's easier said than done :(

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

I gutted it out for four years with a landlord who was bat-c**p crazy (I was waiting to see if the sale of the building would actually happen). How crazy? He tried to intimidate me with the Freedom of Information Act! To snitch on my neighbor so he could evict him for calling the Health Department! I was like "I took Con. Law, that's not how FOIA works. And no, I'm not going to give you a name." As I was moving out, he came in and stole $70 cash from my kitchen. I actually had a nanny cam in the room but I didn't have it set up, it seemed too paranoid. I guess it wasn't!

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

what the everloving f**k. "yeah its fineeee it's just like havin an indoor garden!"

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

First of all, never mind the mushrooms that window is nasty too. Second of all, move.

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

behind my toilet in my old apartment, there were mushrooms growing. he just killed them with bleach and hoped for the best

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

Yeah, even if you scrape off the mushrooms and treat the spot, you've still got damp rot/black mildew behind it.

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

Wow. That place has gotta have incredibly high levels of toxic mold. Run!

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

This is so stupid. If you don't fix water damage in the beginning, you'll eventually end up with an complete wreck of a house

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

That's gross. I didn't think mushrooms could grow in ceilings, but here we are.

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

How rediculous especially when the tenants may have responded with real appreciation and gratitude if the issue would have been dealt with as promptly as possible.

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

How rediculous especially when their tenants might respond with real appreciation and gratitude If the issue had been dealt with as promptly as possible.

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Ava Bowie
Community Member
4 years ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

What the hell is this!! I would burn the house down and move to Antartica if I saw this in my house!

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

Are those shrooms? I'd hate to see what's on the other side of the ceiling.

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mermaidgirl960
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Okay, I've seen like mold and a little bit of SMALL fungi in places, but these are literal MUSHROOMS growing out of the ceiling!

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Jaybird3939
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Landlord must be smoking those mushrooms. That could be the only reason he doesn't think this is a problem!

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

I would strongly advise you to move. Mold and Mildew are serious health hazards. I would also report the landlord to the health and safety dept in your area.

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

Put them in stew! It is cool that different varieties grow in different places.

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

looked like a cactus penis to me at first. Hope the landlord didn't say "Now you can grow your own garden. From the ceiling!" as an excuse.

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

The tenant should get their money back and find a better place... Holy S**t.

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

Wow mushrooms growing out of the ceiling and u thinks that okay... What a landlord... What if it fell down and there was kids in the home

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

Crony Capitalism at it's finest. The gov't allows all of this, don't think they don't.

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Tanisha Finlayson
Community Member
4 years ago

This comment has been deleted.

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

Hey, who doesn't like to have some fresh mushrooms on hand when cooking

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

Landlord:"What? Mushrooms are pricey, you know. You should be thanking me."

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

I live in a stone cottage in a seasidetown, we are all prone to damp.. I as well as a few hundred others are out with the dehumidifiers and keeping the cottage warm and in the summer a good air flow

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

omg I thought the one tiny one growing out of the windowsill in the bathroom (window is directly IN THE SHOWER - no way to keep the wood dry plus the whole house is mold infested) was bad lol that's NOTHING compared to these guys!

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

Why would anyone want to live there? Thank got there are regulations for things like this here

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

run away when you can and pray you didn't catch any infection from all the mold and mushrooms

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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

gnarlyj Report

#6

My Landlord Sucks

My Landlord Sucks

JonjakobJinkleHymer Report

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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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#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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