4 Types of Landlords to Avoid
Having never owned our own home during my husband’s 17-year military career, we have first-hand knowledge of which types of landlords are out there in the rental market. Although we’ve had very normal and affable homeowners, we’ve also encountered each and every one of the following negatively described homeowners. If you recognize any of these foreboding qualities in landlords, use our experience and move on to the next “For Rent” sign!
Here are four types of landlords to avoid:
1. The No Improvements Landlord
This guy is so stuck in a time warp that even his polyester pants scream 1970. He has no idea his houses are terribly outdated and eagerly shows you the custom spice rack in the kitchen that was a shining feature back in the 1950s. He also happened to buy several desirably located homes near the perfect schools and neighborhoods, which makes the rental decision so tempting. He bought the homes cheaply decades ago, but never upgraded a thing and is glad to have the mortgages paid.
Unless you have unlimited funds or competent carpentry and decorator skills, avoid this guy’s properties. He won’t help, and he won’t be easy to work with. He is too happy cashing desperate military families’ rent checks to notice quality of life issues.
2. The Personal Problems Landlord
She is the friendliest woman you’ll ever want to meet, but she is a person with more issues than one soul should have. The issues, just to name the big ones: divorce, money woes, and ungrateful kids will overcome her life and seep into your rental agreement. You will genuinely worry about her well-being, which in turn makes you hesitate to have the toilet repaired, because, “How is she going to pay for it?”
You’ll be able to recognize this type of landlord immediately, because her chatty nature will reveal all of the problems she has going on at the moment within the first 15 minutes of conversation. If you sign the lease, be prepared for her drama to become your drama and pay out of your own pocket just to have a working bathroom.
3. The No Communication Landlord
His house seems so perfect that you’re willing to overlook some issues with his communication style. He knows his house is great, and there are many applicants, so he doesn’t need to contact you in a timely manner while you wring your hands because, in your mind, his silence means your deal is off. There is a constant phone and text chase to get him to explain rental agreement clauses and specifics about the house even before moving in.
Because there is no such thing as a perfect rental, expect his previous blasé attitude to be the case when the house floods or the A/C breaks. Don’t expect a well maintained house binder with all of the manuals and maintenance documents to review. Remember, silence is deafening when you have a house emergency.
4. The In Your Business Landlord
You know the type; they’re a local couple who’ve decided that rentals are their hobby and main source of entertainment. They insist on micro-managing each detail of the family who lives in their house. The lease read-through was a multi-hour ordeal and you leave feeling like indentured servants, not renters. They have no problem blatantly driving by regularly to watch the move-in process, and the visits don’t cease after you’ve settled in. Now, they check the yard, how many packages are at the door, and if the trash cans are removed from the curb.
Depending on your tolerance for people invading your privacy, this landlord type might be the easiest to work with because no maintenance matter will go unresolved, even if you didn’t ask for the repair. You’ll likely find them in your master bathroom at 7 a.m. on Saturday morning, “helping” you out.
You’re now officially armed with knowledge on how to avoid these four troublesome landlord types. Hopefully this information will help make the next PCS and rental experience your family’s best.
Good luck!
By Dawn Smith, MilitaryByOwner Staff Writer