20+ Landlords who refused to solve their tenants' household issues: 'My landlord said, "Just don't use the light switch"'

Remy Millisky • Writer and Editor

Aug 19, 2025 11:00 AM EDT

One of the benefits of renting an apartment versus owning a home is that when things break down, the tenant isn't always responsible. If the sink clogs up or the lightbulbs burn out, the landlord needs to take care of it. Broken stair, floorboard cracking open, oven isn't heating up? Chances are, that's the landlord's responsibility to fix it in a timely manner. However… that assumes the landlord takes responsibility for it, plans to fix it at all, and then does so in a few days or maybe a week.

There are tons of great landlords, but there are also a lot who are just terrible to their tenants. In my experience, it seems like the larger the building is, and the more tenants there are, the worse the living experience is. These types of buildings with 20 or 50 apartment buildings and one landlord? They tend to have to wait to get their home issue fixed. The landlord can just keep giving the excuse that they're still waiting for a part or that there are 5 other apartments ahead of them. It feels like you're waiting for ever and ever for that unclogged sink or broken light switch to be fixed! And while you're waiting, you can read the stories of the people below, who have also been dealing with some tough landlord situations.

Next, read about some of the worst concerts music fans have ever been to, like one person who witnessed a band play the same song 3 times in a row.

Add as a preferred
source on Google

01
These people's landlords were ignoring some wild issues, from buzzing bees to broken pipes.

via Yunus Tuğ For Unsplash+

_{The image does not depict the actual subjects of the story. Subjects are models.}
02

via @clhubes
03

via @clhubes
04

via @clhubes
05

via @DeFrenteComMahi
06

via @cwelker
07

via @offgridteacher
08

via @NicolaDeRT
09

via Getty Images For Unsplash+

_{The image does not depict the actual subjects of the story. Subjects are models.}
10

via @clhubes
11

via @julie_mo
12

via @LooseyJackie
13

via @
14

via @kissmya**burger
15

via @lizscher
16

via @samsutliff
17

via @emilyrm
18

via @thefaithasaurus
19

via @shandra_mcjeql
20

via @_samantha_lynn_
21

via @khaiykhaiy
22

via @byNikHolson
23

via @AelfridhH
24

via @jacquelinedole
25

via @LooseyJackie
26

via @marbenais
27

via @DuchessTeatime
28

via @whammus
29

via Yunus Tuğ For Unsplash+

_{The image does not depict the actual subjects of the story. Subjects are models.}
30

via @alyssaknix
31

via @BlackResonanc3
32

via @allyellujah
33

via @LadyMountjoy