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Buying a home is probably one of the greatest achievements a person can brag about – yet, with such whopping prices, it has become a very challenging thing to do. 

To many, getting a temporary place seems like the best option. It's flexible and less responsibility – plus, you get to save on recurring expenses such as taxes and insurance. However, renting a property also comes with its cons:

“Stay tuned, we have a lot coming in the future, and we want you to join our fight to bring accountability and transparency to housing” – this Instagram page focuses on shaming greedy landlords and sharing posts that summarize the awful reality of renting property. “Slumlords Gone Wild” currently has over 5K followers and 154 posts. Today, Bored Panda has gathered a couple of their best memes that many of you are bound to find relatable.

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Bored Panda managed to reach out to the authors of the page: "We are a group of engineers, researchers, and urban planners who have been voluntarily working together on a stealth-mode project focused on building a new paradigm for accountability and transparency in housing. Initially started as a fun and collaborative idea, the page has become a resource for us to learn more about exploitative business practices and the failures of government enforcement systems."

We then wondered what inspired them to create the page, to which they replied with: "We’ve all been in situations where we lived in less-than-ideal living conditions. There is a lack of fairness in the current housing market and we want to do our part to help change that. Creating a channel that reaches people, even through memes, has opened up conversations with real people who are experiencing these difficult situations. We hope to continue these meaningful conversations so we can provide people with a platform to have their voices heard."

#2

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Jef Bateman
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1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This is the effect of so much property being held by investors and developers. It is getting harder and harder for ordinary people to own any real estate, particularly in the city. It's even harder if you want to start a business by buying a piece of commercially-zoned real estate. Some parasite already owns it and is sharpening its teeth to start sucking your blood.

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BP asked the authors to describe what it means to be a "good" landlord: "Like with all institutions, there are both good and bad property owners. In many instances, a lack of effective regulation allows for the bad owners to get away with predatory behavior. A good property owner does not take advantage of the system in order to exploit people, but instead provides their tenants with one of the most fundamental human rights - housing."

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"Know your rights. In the United States, most governments automatically guarantee that living conditions provided by a property owner must meet a warranty of habitability, which includes basic standards of living. Don’t be afraid to challenge things that are unjust; nobody should be living in conditions that are unlivable. There are resources out there that can help, and we are working to become one of them. Speaking up can promote change" – they also added.

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Lisa H
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1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Or the previous tenants so you know what kind of landlord you will potentially be dealing with.

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stardust
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1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

And hey! If this doesn't work out, you might be able to upgrade to a Denmark Prison!!

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Encountering irresponsible and, at times, greedy landlords is a relatively common event; however, this doesn't mean that you shouldn't carefully consider your decisions. 

Although you aren't choosing a forever home yet, you're looking for a place that'll be able to give you comfort and a sense of safety. But keep in mind that when selecting your rental home, you're simultaneously entering into a long-term relationship with the property owner. A business-driven one, but a relationship nonetheless.

More often than not, the "red flags" are not immediately visible, meaning that they only become apparent once you settle in, and this can be a difficult situation to deal with, especially if your landlord is lacking in the respect-related field.

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Property owners usually tend to screen their potential tenants pretty thoroughly – as, of course, who would want an unreliable resident that never pays on time and is negligent towards the apartment? 

The best way to protect yourself is to remember that the home renting deal is a two-way process. It's crucial to stay alert, as it's easy to get fooled by the affordability of the place – however, you should ask questions and demand proof if necessary. Don't be afraid to ask about the previous tenants and their reason for departing, or to find out if the landlord has been in the business for long, etc.

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Nikole
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1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

The front door took forever to lock at my old apartment. I used to scrape my knuckles while furiously trying to lock it as I left for work. I couldn't leave it unlocked because the door would open on its own, I had a cat, and my door was right in the apartment vestibule. I had called my landlord about it, but nothing happened. At the time I worked for a real estate law firm so one morning I left an angry voicemail for my landlord about the lock, mentioned where I worked, and said I could sue him for not providing a secure unit. It was fixed the next day. Bastard.

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foofoofloofy
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1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Who cares? Well, maybe the ghost of the victim (who was killed 100 years ago tonight,) still haunts the building, causing malicious mayhem wherever she goes, but the rent IS cheap.

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If it so happened that you got caught in a trap and are now dealing with a horrible landlord, there are a couple of things that you can do:

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First and foremost, take notes. Although most will argue that it's common sense, it's not unusual for tenants to get caught up in frustration and forget about the whole documentation thing. 

For example, if the property owner ignores your calls or refuses to fix the appliances, keep a list of all of your attempted phone calls/emails – that way, you'll be able to prove that your landlord is, in fact, awful.

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stardust
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1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Ok but aside from the actual point, that mini apartment thing is rlly cool >~<

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FreshGanesh
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1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Fresh out of college I rented for a few years. I also volunteered at a tenant advocacy org in my city. I recommend to everyone to always have a copy of your location’a/state’s tenant guide. Most states publish them for free. Know your rights & feel comfortable sending photocopied pages to your landlord. In the last place I rented they tried to withhold for carpet. I told them to produce receipts when it was installed, found the lifespan and pointed out reasonable wear & tear, meaning they couldn’t withhold a cent. I filed in small claims, paid the server then withdrew after they paid me back all of my deposit. I know it’s not always easy, doable or practical to demand your rights, but at least try to know what they are.

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In addition, just like the creators of the page said – know your rights. Or, if you're ever in doubt, contact a lawyer. If the conditions are hindering your lifestyle, they will advise you on what to do and assist you if you're thinking about breaking the lease. 

Bored Panda hopes you've enjoyed this ensemble of witty memes from "Slumlords Gone Wild" that bring awareness to this crucial topic of property owner negligence.

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PenitentEyeball
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1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Nuuuu farmer guy meme, you became the very thing you swore to destroy!

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John Topper
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1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Well yeah, putting up those bathroom cameras is hungry work.

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Chucky Cheezburger
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Charge him $500 per cookie. He shoulda asked before taking them (or even being there! helLOOOOO!)

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Blue Mar
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

That is just sad. Like landlord would have right to do so. Probably one of those ppl who goes to shop and feel privileged to open the package, eat half and leave it on shelves. A hole.

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Deborah Coalter
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Landlords are required to give notice that they are entering your apartment when you are not present.

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Roe Rainrunner
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

If you can't move out, at least change locks and check for hidden cameras...

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Bonnie Macdonald
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Are you kidding landlords put up with very dirty and no repect for nothing . Been there Iam sure your landlord wouldn’t mind you moving .after seeing this remember there is alway someone else looking for apartment and for the camera guy watching to much tv lmao

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blahd zhahd
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1 year ago

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Well when you're "landlord" also goes by Dad, they can eat some of your cookies when you're 28 and still living rent free at home.

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Hime
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1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

To combat this I move in and take a gajillion photos and then promptly ask the landlord for a bit of touchup paint (usually I bring my own container b/c that controls how much you can get) so I can touch up "scuffs" on the walls. Shadows are good for that. Then when I move out I patch all holes myself and use the touchup paint I asked for when I moved in to retouch any repairs I made. Works every time.

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Xenon
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1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

No problem! Just unplug the fridge and drag it across the room to do laundry. /s

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Powerful Katrinka
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1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I had the highest credit score of my life when I was carrying a massive amount of debt. Over a period of years, I finally paid everything off, and now have literally zero debt. Guess what? My credit score could not get any lower. It's a seriously flawed system that subtly encourages becoming ever more indebted

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Not Telling you
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1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This sounds like a joke. How many landlords does it take to change a lightbulb? 1 but it’ll cost you 8 billion dollars

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Hime
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1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

aw! What a cute little fridge! My baby cousin would love this to store his "home baked yummies" inside.

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asexualotl (she/her)
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1 year ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

ariana really is singing about your struggles. except the landlords love isn't infinite and there are things they wouldn't do.

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#30

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Note: this post originally had 40 images. It’s been shortened to the top 30 images based on user votes.