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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.

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.

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    #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

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    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. 

    #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
    5 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
    5 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
    5 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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    #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
    5 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

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    #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
    5 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
    5 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

    #22

    Our Landlord Installed The Locks To Our Front Door Backwards

    Our Landlord Installed The Locks To Our Front Door Backwards

    In7erted Report

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    #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
    5 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

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    #31

    My Landlord Never Tells Me Things He's Doing To My Apartment. I'm Glad I Went Out The Door On The Left Today

    My Landlord Never Tells Me Things He's Doing To My Apartment. I'm Glad I Went Out The Door On The Left Today

    acidmonkey Report

    #32

    Friend Has A Landlord Whose Son Plays Freely In A Rural Community. This Happens Sometimes And He Sits There For Quite A While Looking In. My Friend Gets A Little Creeped Out. I Thought Nothing Of It Until He Sent This Picture

    Friend Has A Landlord Whose Son Plays Freely In A Rural Community. This Happens Sometimes And He Sits There For Quite A While Looking In. My Friend Gets A Little Creeped Out. I Thought Nothing Of It Until He Sent This Picture

    duleewopper Report

    #34

    The Landlord Insists That There Is No Roach Problem In The Building

    The Landlord Insists That There Is No Roach Problem In The Building

    spider90804 Report

    #35

    This Is My Landlord's Response To A Simple Text. No Previous Convo Nothing What You See Is What You Get

    This Is My Landlord's Response To A Simple Text. No Previous Convo Nothing What You See Is What You Get

    DalognaR Report

    #36

    I Have Been Pressing My Landlord About The Damp And Mould Issues In My House For Over 3 Months Now And I Don't Know What Else To Do

    I Have Been Pressing My Landlord About The Damp And Mould Issues In My House For Over 3 Months Now And I Don't Know What Else To Do

    kahinaaaa Report

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    Sean Reynolds
    Community Member
    5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Get out now. If they release spores they WILL end up in your lungs, which happen to be warm and moist, which mould loves

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    #37

    So My Landlord Fixed The Leak In The Roof

    So My Landlord Fixed The Leak In The Roof

    Guerillaanthropologist Report

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    Tambot
    Community Member
    5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    It has to be a temporary fix until someone can fix it. If that's the case, he did well!

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    #38

    Called My Landlord Because When The Furnace Kicks On It Makes The House Shake. This Is How They Fixed It. House Still Shakes

    Called My Landlord Because When The Furnace Kicks On It Makes The House Shake. This Is How They Fixed It. House Still Shakes

    clevermine2tine Report

    #39

    Third Time In Two Months That My Landlord Didn’t Pay The Wi-Fi Bill So I Went And Did It Myself In Person. Got This Text From Her Friend Immediately After

    Third Time In Two Months That My Landlord Didn’t Pay The Wi-Fi Bill So I Went And Did It Myself In Person. Got This Text From Her Friend Immediately After

    nyknac Report

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    Kaisu
    Community Member
    5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Why not just get your own WiFi that you can pay for? I pay for my own WiFi so I don't have to hope my landlord deals with it

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    #40

    So Our Landlord Hired A 5-Year-Old To Paint Our Windows

    So Our Landlord Hired A 5-Year-Old To Paint Our Windows

    IDoNotBelieveYou Report

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    Mangoes'nRum
    Community Member
    5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    First I thought this was sarcasm. Then I figured, no, this might actually have been a 5 year old who painted it..

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    #42

    Landlord Replaced The Doorknobs Yesterday. They're Like This All Over The Apartment

    Landlord Replaced The Doorknobs Yesterday. They're Like This All Over The Apartment

    seanthehero Report

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    Pseudo Puppy
    Community Member
    5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Locks aren't actually that hard to install. The landlord is just an idiot, incapable of following basic instructions.

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    #43

    The Moment You Realize Your New Landlord Is Insane

    The Moment You Realize Your New Landlord Is Insane

    j1ggy Report

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    Pseudo Puppy
    Community Member
    5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    sounds like a dodgy boarding house. Best advice I can give is : move out as fast as possible. Just escaped such a lunatic. Sleeping on the floor, in a safe environment is way better than on an uncomfortable bed supplied by an insane landlord. Run. Seriously - run now.

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    #44

    My Landlord Just Raised Our Kitchen Countertop And Blocked Our Electrical Outlet Like This

    My Landlord Just Raised Our Kitchen Countertop And Blocked Our Electrical Outlet Like This

    fecal_encephalopathy Report

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    #45

    Landlord Painted My Stairs. Should Have Specified On The Color Before I Agreed

    Landlord Painted My Stairs. Should Have Specified On The Color Before I Agreed

    Odin3587 Report

    #46

    We Realized That Our Shady Landlord Covers Holes Made By Previous Tenants With Vent Covers. It's Kind Of Genius

    We Realized That Our Shady Landlord Covers Holes Made By Previous Tenants With Vent Covers. It's Kind Of Genius

    coreyisthename Report

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    A B C
    Community Member
    5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Yeah, "kind of genius"... It just doesn't work with a hole that big.

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    #47

    My Landlord Installed A New Cabinet

    My Landlord Installed A New Cabinet

    digital-lemonade Report

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    Phoebe Bean
    Community Member
    5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    After seeing all the previous disasters, this is not so bad (and I'm a short person).

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    #48

    When My Landlord Said He Wanted To Put Guardrails On My Second Floor Porch, I Figured He Meant Around Edges

    When My Landlord Said He Wanted To Put Guardrails On My Second Floor Porch, I Figured He Meant Around Edges

    Zerrenta Report

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    Anne
    Community Member
    5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    That doesn't seem like a porch, that's bare roofing. If you step on it like that, you may cause leaks below. It needs gravel or planks as protection first.

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    #49

    Asked My Landlord To Install A New Light In The Garbage Area. Landlord Delivered

    Asked My Landlord To Install A New Light In The Garbage Area. Landlord Delivered

    geuis Report

    #50

    Asked Landlord To Fix Our Shower Handle. Wouldn't Exactly Call This "Fixed"

    Asked Landlord To Fix Our Shower Handle. Wouldn't Exactly Call This "Fixed"

    hancockkilla Report

    #51

    My Friends Asked Their Landlord To Fix The Towel Rack For The Past Two Weeks. This Is What He Came Up With

    My Friends Asked Their Landlord To Fix The Towel Rack For The Past Two Weeks. This Is What He Came Up With

    inkjetneo Report

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    YoyoSthlm
    Community Member
    5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    They couldn't fix that themselves? Takes more energy to complain for three weeks.

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    #52

    My Uncle Asked His Landlord To Install A New Deadbolt For Their Door

    My Uncle Asked His Landlord To Install A New Deadbolt For Their Door

    DylanStudioz Report

    #53

    I Now Have To Give My Landlord More Money Because He Has More Money

    I Now Have To Give My Landlord More Money Because He Has More Money

    Gary_Bainbridge Report

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    Dynein
    Community Member
    5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Might be justified. In Germany, the tax for a rented property is tied to the rent you COULD charge, not the rent you actually do charge. It's beyond stupid and only serves to make the problem of rising rents worse, but the government refuses to fix it (well, the state makes good money from those taxes ... and getting lots of money from taxes is all that matters when running a country, right?) and there's been many reports about property owners who HAVE to increase rent because rents rose in that area so the taxes rose so they have to raise rent to afford the taxes...

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    #54

    My Girlfriend's Crazy Downstairs Landlady Makes Her Do This To Her Kitchen Chairs

    My Girlfriend's Crazy Downstairs Landlady Makes Her Do This To Her Kitchen Chairs

    titosrevenge Report

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    Mangoes'nRum
    Community Member
    5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    This is probably because the sound or dragging chairs is annoying af and you probably drag your chair when getting up or sitting down. That or for some reason, LL is overly fond of that floor.

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    #55

    My Landlord Is Just Trying To Piss Me Off

    My Landlord Is Just Trying To Piss Me Off

    LWarrhill Report