'Each violation is a $500/day fine': Nightmare landlord terrorizes tenant for 3 years, faces revenge when they move out

Author image for Ally Perry
Ally Perry • Writer and Editor
May 9, 2024 1:00 PM EDT

Show me a person who has spent much of their life in rented accommodation and I bet you anything they have at least one horror story about dealing with a landlord. It's amazing just how many of them are happy to take their cut of your paycheck each month, but not to do basic maintenance on the building that is making them all this money. As a tenant searching for somewhere to live, finding a decent landlord can sometimes feel like winning the lottery.

This is what one Redditor had the misfortune of realizing after suffering in their apartment for three long years, thanks to who owned it. After facing theft, attempted break ins, and unfair charges from their landlord, they finally had to leave when there was a proposed rent increase of $500 a month. They made sure to meet with the building inspector before moving out, and in the end, the multiple safety violations that were found were just the beginning of the story.

Advertisement
  • 01
    FOR RENT 682-785
    via Erik Mclean
  • 02
    r/ProRevenge u/Chellator • 2d Landlord put me through 3 years of hell.
    via Chellator
  • 03
    My landlord was a terrible human being. Honestly, calling him a human is even pushing it. Just a few things he has done to me over the past three years..
    via Chellator
  • 04
    Stole my dryer and other household products that are in a common area. Made me pay for a plumbing repair which was deemed normal wear and tear. Tried breaking into my house. Retaliated against me because I went to my lawyer after he sent me a letter about a parking spot. He tried charging me an extra $150/month.
    via Chellator
  • 05
    Mind you, I was never late for rent in 3 years, except for when he made me pay for the plumbing repair. So the next month I was a couple days late.
    via Chellator
  • 06
    The list goes on... Now this apartment was no where near nice. I found out the plumbing was illegal, he left me with a porch for years that has severe safety issues, the ceiling paint was always falling down, gas heater was not up to code, and so on.
    via Chellator
  • 07
    I finally got my chance to leave after he wanted to raise my rent $500/month. He will do anything, and everything to get more money out of his tenants.
    via Chellator
  • 08
    So I called the building inspector 4 days before I left. I told him everything. The porch when he finally replaced it didn't have a permit and was definitely not up to code. I told him about the plumbing and the heater. I went on and on. The inspector came over the very next day, I saw him taking measurements. Each violation is a $500/day fine until fixed. I honestly don't know what happened, but my God did it feel good to finally get him back. He's at the very least on the town's radar.
    via Chellator
  • 09
    A week before I moved out he tried telling me I needed to be out at a specific time. I never responded and where I lived, that's not how it works. He tried to threaten me with the police if I wasn't gone. Well, I went to the police myself that morning to warn them. The landlord did come by, threaten me and harass me. I called the police, they informed him I was in the right.
    via Chellator
  • 10
    Long story short, he had broken into my apartment (I had left to go to storage) while I was gone. He nailed my door shut. I told the police to get the supervisor because I was over being harassed by this guy. Go figure he left before the supervisor could get there. I'm positive he knew he'd be arrested on site.
    via Chellator
  • 11
    Got the police report, they're charging him with a felony for breaking and entering. Fines plus a charge? Don't be a to good people.
    via Chellator
  • 12
    Calabriafundings 2d I had a landlord that threatened to evict us if our baby did not stop crying. In addition to a small discrimination settlement, I also got his unpermitted renovation of 1/2 of the building red tagged by the building department. After we left I ran into him he was still an made sure to tell him I called the building department. Watching his head almost explode was quite nice. bird. I am looking to buy, but my current landlords don't even live in the state. I take care of any i
    via Calabriafundings
  • 13
    Darksuit117 2d So mine has in the lease that elictricity is not paid by me but then tried to charge me 60 for the a/c i put in, saying the increased electricity yada yada. A/c was so took it out anyway, but i run everything i can electric, im sure its more than the 60 he wanted for the a/c.
    via Darksuit117
  • 14
    Electronic-Lab-4419 2d I thought my last landlord was bad....had ugly orange pipes installed (fire safety regulations). Told me they would paint them and fill in the excessive gaps in the wall. Nope. Tons of mice came through my closets. Caught 6 in one night. (My dog appreciated them once in a while. Practice her hunting with a real live squeak toy.) Did not shovel & salt my stairs. Others were. (Part of the lease.) Slipped and fell on the concrete steps. Massive bruises. Yelled at me when I re
    via Electronic-Lab-4419
  • 15
    Confused_IQ 2d Please for the love of god tell him you were the one who called the inspector once you move out. And then just laugh while he screams at you in the other end. Oh man that would be amazing.
    via Confused_IQ
  • 16
    What_It_Does_9 1d As a landlord myself, hearing such nasty stories really ticks me off. I've had tenants live in my homes for over a decade. I leave them alone and let them live their life. It's so simple but people can't seem to grasp it. Hopefully you do t have to go through such nonsense ever again. Reply Chellator OP • 21h You're a good egg! Thank you for that! 15
    via What_It_Does_9
  • 17
    dajur1 2d As a building inspector, I can guarantee you that he wasn't fined $500 per day. The building department would contact him and tell him that he needs to get a permit and city inspection. There is probably a small fine, it's usually double the permit price, so you probably cost him between $50-100.
    via dajur1
  • 18
    GhostWriter313 1d Apartments aren't what they used to be, I can tell you that much. Unless you're in a decent part of the city, or suburbia, for that matter.
    via GhostWriter313

Want More? Follow Us and Add Us as a Preferred Source on Google.

Tags

pro revenge landlord revenge tenant entitled renting reddit thread Reddit entitled people
Scroll Down For The Next Article