Slum landlords, also known as bad landlords, appear to be extremely helpful and overly-friendly. However, under their skin, they hide a more sinister motive. They are just like illusionists, drawing attention to themselves instead of the property. In doing so, you feel embarrassed to ask vital questions about the property. Every smile they pass and every word they spew may be deceptive. So, be aware; if you feel that the landlord you are dealing with displays these characteristics, reconsider your options.
Checklist
Most tenancy agreements have the same terms and conditions, the A to Z rules of letting jargon. Some have terms mentioned in fine print that should not be ignored. No matter how long the tenancy agreement is, read it thoroughly and negotiate the terms if you think that some requests are unreasonable.
Make sure that all repair-related issues are clearly recorded. Ensure that you know what your responsibilities are because at the end of the day, it’s your deposit that is at risk.
These landlords want to make as much profit as they can. As a result, repairs are not an area of concern for them. So, make sure that all equipment is working as it should before you sign your contract. If that entails you physically test them out, do it to avoid any disputes in the future. The same goes with all landlords and estate agents; there are no exceptions.
The most common problem faced by tenants when dealing with slum landlords is the issue of their rooms being damp. Some people only focus on the white goods, such as a broken washing machine or a broken toilet seat and so on. But imagine you discover that your accommodation is damp all over, even though the walls are covered by a fresh coat of paint. Not only will you feel cold all the time, even in the summer, but you will have to live with the constant smell of moisture. What’s much worse is that you could find yourself spending huge amounts of money on electricity or gas bills. Other than that, you will also be putting yourself in danger. What about your health as well as that of your loved ones? Is it worth risking all this just because the rent is cheap?
Check for any signs of dampness in the property. Can you see black spots or mold growth? Can you see flaking paint, a bulging wallpaper or damp patches here and there? If so, avoid renting the property.
Always ask for a signed receipt having an official header for each monthly payment you make. The receipt should at least display the name of the landlord, the address where you send your correspondences to or the email address and phone number of the landlord. 7 out of 10 disputes result from slum landlords reducing or denying receiving payments from the tenants. So, it is very important to maintain a record of the payments you make.
You should make sure that within the 1st week of your tenancy, your landlord gives you a deposit scheme registration certificate number. The certificate should display your name, address, reference number and the name of the landlord. It is extremely important because it is the only way to verify that your deposit is safe and protected.
Check who is your gas, water and electricity bill provider. You will be surprised as to what lengths a slum or bad landlord can go to just to get more money out of you. If you rent from a slum or bad landlord who owns a building, make sure your meters are connected to your accommodation only, and not to a meter which also supplies someone else’s or your landlord’s accommodation. If you are not mindful, you could be paying everybody else’s bills as well as your own.
The same goes for your water bill, your council tax, your internet and other bills attached to the property.
Never agree to pay a consumable bill as part of the rent unless you are sure it relates to what you have used. The warning is that you don’t know what you are paying for. You could be paying more than you think. Remember if it sounds too good to be true it probably is. So, do your own research. Find out how the property is being billed, including the parameters.
Slum or bad landlords tend to intimidate their tenants when there is a dispute. They may send an associate, or even relatives to intimidate you. You should insist on dealing with him alone. If the landlord has an associate, make sure that all dealings are listed along with details of the associate, such as his/her name, address, responsibility and type of association to the property, to name just a few specifics.
The best advice is to avoid slum or bad landlords all together. The rent may be cheap, but the constant headaches, stress and worries are not worth putting your life as well as that of your loved ones at risk.
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