Warnings Signs of a Bad Landlord

A big city like Chicago is riddled with bad apartment landlords. So before you sign below the dotted line, it’s important that you’re certain of not taking over a place that’s owned by a heartless, rotten, scamming property owner who’s out to victimize unsuspecting renters. You might like the apartment or condo, but if you’re going to have to deal with a landlord who’s going to take advantage of you, then it’s not worth it.

Here are a number of landlord warning signs that you have to be on the lookout for in your apartment search.

A landlord who doesn’t know anything: You’re bound to have a lot of questions when looking for a Chicago apartment to rent. If the landlord doesn’t seem to have answers to any of your questions, then you might be looking at someone who doesn’t care now – and who won’t care when you move in. Worse, this landlord might be keeping things from you – damages, defects, faulty plumbing – by feigning innocence. Look for an apartment run by someone who knows the amenities well enough.

A landlord who’s too busy: You call the landlord to set up a meeting or an inspection – but he never seems to be available. He always appears rushed or in a hurry. He’s “in a foreign country”, doing charity work or vacationing. Or he refuses to meet you personally for some reason or another. Our advice? This guy’s probably a scammer. Forget the apartment he’s advertising and start looking for other places. And never give out your social security number or pay a security deposit to a landlord who won’t meet you.

A landlord who doesn’t care properly for the “land”: If you come in to look at a vacant condo or apartment and the landlord opens the curtains to reveal a neglected place, it’s enough reason to start looking elsewhere. Even if he promises to renovate it as soon as you move in, it’s going to be difficult to take the word of someone who leaves a place in total wreck.

A landlord who won’t let you talk to neighbors or previous tenants: Again, this may be a sign that this landlord is hiding something. He’s probably scared that previous tenants and neighbors may have bad reviews waiting to be told. But if a landlord gets in the way of you asking questions – does he fix problems? what does he do about noise complaints? – then chances are, when you move in, you won’t get any of the answers you’re looking for.

Learn About Jennifer Mastrianno
Jennifer is a twenty-something artist that is quite active on the Chicago club scene. When she's not blogging or tweeting, she can be found as one of the leasing agent at Apartment Vigilantes. So stop into her office and say hello!

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