What exactly is a SLUMLORD?

http://slumlordcheck.com/tenant-guide

Tenant Guide



Donald Sterling. Slumlord of Los Angeles
Net Worth: $1.5 BILLION



"Slumlord” is a slang term for a corrupt and dishonest landlord that attempts to make as much money as possible by spending as little money as possible on the maintenance of his or her properties, sometimes called slumlord housing.

Buildings located in slumlord housing areas can have problems that go well beyond worn carpet, chipped tile or fading paint. Slumlords ignore serious problems that can cause health and safety problems, including:

• Roach, rat and insect infestation, including bedbugs and fleas
• Doors and windows that won’t close properly, allowing in wind and rain
• Failure to repair Health and Safety Code violations
• Exposed electrical wiring that constitutes a fire and safety hazard
• Smoke alarms that are inoperable or missing
• Unsafe stairs and banisters
• Improper and unsanitary trash containers that contribute to roach and rat infestations
• Plumbing that does not work, including broken toilets that overflow or won’t flush and sinks that are plugged up
• No heat or hot water
• No water at all
• Gas leaks
• Mold growing on the walls, ceilings and other surfaces

Are you suffering from landlord abuse? Are you living in a building owned by a slumlord? Here are some tips to follow. Following these suggestions will strengthen your landlord tenant dispute:

• Do your best to be a good tenant. Do your share and attempt to keep things as neat and clean as possible. You don’t want to sink to the level of the slumlord. Making things worse will only hurt your case.
• Do NOT withhold rent. Continue to pay your rent according to your lease or rental agreement. You do NOT want to give your landlord any opportunity to obtain leverage in the dispute.
• Put your complaints in writing and send them to your landlord via registered mail, return receipt requested. The law prevents slumlords from retaliating against tenants who complain, and sending your complaints by registered mail is your proof that you have put your landlord on notice.
• Save all the correspondence from your landlord that you receive. Start keeping a diary and take photographs.