What annoys landlords?

Asked by: Prof. Sally Kautzer  |  Last update: November 8, 2025
Score: 4.7/5 (48 votes)

8 Things That Annoy Landlords
  • Boiler Breakdown.
  • Clogged Or Malfunctioning Drain.
  • Issues With Major Appliances.
  • Signs Of Mould.
  • Vacancies.
  • Late Rent Payments Or Nonpayment.
  • General Wear And Tear.
  • How Tenants Have Gotten Revenge On Landlords.

What do landlords hate the most?

Here are the nine things landlords hate most about tenants
  • Smoking indoors: ...
  • Loud parties. ...
  • Having no regard for fire safety. ...
  • Messing about with gas or electricity meters. ...
  • Leaving rubbish behind. ...
  • Dirty windows and unkempt gardens. ...
  • Having a dog without permission. ...
  • Swapping providers without letting your landlords know.

What are landlords' biggest fears?

Ian Joseph
  • Lack of experience: Many new landlords worry about their lack of experience in managing properties. ...
  • Finding reliable tenants: The fear of renting to unreliable tenants is another common concern. ...
  • Legal issues: New landlords may worry about navigating the complexities of landlord-tenant laws.

What not to say to a landlord?

5 Things You Should Never Say When Renting an Apartment
  • 'I hate my current landlord' Every potential landlord is going to ask why you're moving. ...
  • 'Let me ask you one more question' ...
  • 'I can't wait to get a puppy' ...
  • 'My partner works right up the street' ...
  • 'I move all the time'

How to tell if a landlord is bad?

Contact the local municipality's building and/or code enforcement department(s) to see if there are problems or complaints against the landlord; these records might even be online. Look up criminal records at the local courthouse to see if the landlord has (allegedly) committed or been convicted of any crimes.

Landlords, Who’s Your Most Annoying Tenants?

42 related questions found

How to tell if a landlord is sketchy?

Landlord Red Flags
  1. Poor Communication. One of the first signs of a bad landlord is poor communication. ...
  2. Lack of Maintenance. A good landlord ensures the property is well-maintained and any repair requests are addressed quickly. ...
  3. Unfair Rent Increases. ...
  4. Invasion of Privacy. ...
  5. Unclear Lease Terms. ...
  6. Rude or Unprofessional Behavior.

What is landlord neglect?

Under California law, landlords are required to adhere to the implied warranty of habitability, which ensures that rental properties meet basic health and safety standards. Examples of landlord negligence include: Ignoring critical repairs, such as broken plumbing or faulty electrical systems.

What not to do when viewing an apartment?

What Not to Do When Touring an Apartment
  1. Not Bringing Measuring Tape When Touring an Apartment.
  2. Don't Forget to Bring Your Roommate, Partner, or Spouse to the Tour.
  3. Don't Delay Paperwork.
  4. Don't Come Without Questions Ready.

Does my landlord have to have a key to my house?

It may not be illegal for the landlord to have a copy of the key to the rented property, but this can breach the tenant's privacy. All restrictions and regulations related to a tenancy must be included in the lease agreement. This also applies to the keys.

What makes you stand out to a landlord?

Landlords and property managers like tenants who always pay their rent on time and demonstrate appropriate money management. Submit proof of consistent income with pay stubs and mention any other sources of income or assets to show financial stability.

How do you scare a tenant out?

Read on to learn more about how to convince your bad tenants that they should leave on their own.
  1. Raise the Rent. ...
  2. Don't Renew Their Lease. ...
  3. Help Them Find a New Place. ...
  4. Threaten Them with a Lawsuit. ...
  5. Buy Them Out. ...
  6. Find Evidence of Illegal Activity. ...
  7. Find More Sneaky Ways to Get Rid of Bad Tenants.

Are landlords usually wealthy?

Myth #2: Landlords are All Wealthy Investors

Landlording can be a risky investment with unexpected expenses and potential vacancies. Many landlords, such as those working with Real Property Management (RPM), are regular people who have moved out of the area or are managing a property for a family member.

What makes a bad tenant?

Problematic tenants often show similar patterns of behavior. They might frequently miss rent payments, cause disturbances with neighbors, or neglect your property. These issues can lead to increased costs and stress for you as a landlord.

How do you annoy bad tenants?

We've put together six creative ways to get rid of bad tenants.
  1. Raise the Rent. Are your tenants annoying, but not actively violating your lease agreement? ...
  2. Non-Renew Their Lease. ...
  3. Help Them Find a New Home. ...
  4. Bring a Full Threat of Legal Pursuit. ...
  5. Offer Cash for Keys. ...
  6. Prove a Bad Tenant's Illegal Activity (If Any)

Who do landlords prefer to rent to?

Ideally, property managers search for someone who will pay rent on time, report maintenance concerns promptly, and care for the property as if it were their own. So, when it comes to narrowing the field of applicants, a landlord has two main options to choose from.

What states are worst for landlords?

Top 10 Least Landlord Friendly States in 2025
  • New York. In New York, landlords are reeling from the tough rent control measures introduced by the Housing Stability and Tenant Protection Act of 2019. ...
  • 2. California. California has statewide rent control. ...
  • Hawaii. ...
  • Illinois. ...
  • Oregon. ...
  • New Jersey. ...
  • Maryland. ...
  • Washington D.C.

Is it normal to pay rent before moving in?

Most landlords require tenants to pay the first month's rent, along with a security deposit and sometimes the last month's rent, before moving in. A security deposit is a sum of money paid by a tenant to a landlord at the beginning of a lease.

Is it illegal for a landlord to not provide a lease?

If there is no written lease, it is possible that you have an oral agreement based on a verbal understanding with the landlord. This oral agreement and its terms will be valid and enforceable if the lease period is one year or less. If there is no lease, either written or oral, a landlord still can evict you.

What happens if a tenant does not return keys?

According to California Civil Code Section 1951.3, a landlord can retake possession of a rental property once abandonment occurs if he has documented evidence of past due rent, canceled or disconnection of utilities, an empty unit, abandoned belongings and witnesses to the tenant's move.

What are the red flags of landlords?

Another red flag is a landlord who is not transparent in their lease agreements. If a landlord includes hidden application fees, a disproportionate security deposit, vague clauses, or refuses to provide a written lease agreement, it could be a sign of potential issues or a rental scam.

How clean does my apartment need to be for an inspection?

It's a good idea to clean your apartment before an inspection thoroughly. But an inspector won't judge your housekeeping skills. The main concern is the condition of the property. Before an inspection, clean carpet stains and remove scuff marks on the walls.

Can I refuse to show my apartment?

If the landlord follows the proper notice requirements and schedules showings at reasonable times, the tenant must allow access to the rental unit. If the tenant refuses to grant access despite the landlord's reasonable notice and requests, there could be legal consequences for the tenant.

What is a bad landlord?

A bad landlord will put in as little effort as possible to get by, and many things like cleanliness or simple repairs will fall by the wayside. These issues could include cracks in the walls, worn paint, missing floor tiles, trash piling up, or evidence of pests.

Is my landlord allowed to ignore me?

An unresponsive landlord might mean you may need to follow up a few times. But you might think, "My landlord keeps ignoring my phone calls!" In these situations, you may need to take legal action.

What do you call a bad landlord?

A slumlord (or slum landlord) is a slang term for a landlord, generally an absentee landlord with more than one property, who attempts to maximize profit by minimizing spending on property maintenance, and usually rents to tenants that they can intimidate.