Why do some landlords think renters have no rights?

Question

Some landlords (the sleezy ones) think they can keep the deposit, even if you leave the place perfect. Remember that in most states, you can sue the owner of the place for 3-10x the amount of the deposit if they don't return it!!! Renters have legal rights too. I hope all landlords read up on this and stop being so stupid. Owners cannot enter property w/o prior permission. They cannot show the house to prospective buyers or renters w/o prior notification. They cannot show up unexpectedly. Renters have the right to peace and quiet. Owners cannot lock renters out, w/o a court eviction notice that has expired. Owners must keep the renters' deposits in a separate account. They cannot charge for normal wear and tear of a place. Renters, read up on YOUR rights! Owners, be advised that you renters CAN take you court if you don't follow the laws!

Answer 1

Why? For the same reason that many renters think landlords have no rights. For the same reason that many people think other people have no rights. People can be scum. I am neither a renter nor a landlord, but have heard many horror stories from both sides of the issue.

The problem is not landlords. The problem is people.

Answer 2

Now I'm starting to see how cops feel.
C'mon buddy, most of us aren't evil. Problems with landlords usually arise more out of their ignorance of the modern housing laws rather than maliciousness on their part. Without having had any formal legal consultation, a landlord will naturally think that since it's his property, he can do pretty much anything he wants. That's why when you apply for an apartment you need a rental agreement IN WRITING that clearly and specifically outlines both your's AND the landlord's responsibilities so that both of you know what's legally expected of each other. There were only 2 times I withheld part of the security deposit when a couple of my former tenants left. One of them had a pair of large dogs, and they were well-behaved but they damaged the floors pretty badly with their claws so they needed refinishing. I deemed that to be "excessive wear and tear" as when they moved in the floors looked like new, and when they moved out much of the varnish was gone and the wood underneath was scratched, and they had no problem with that. Another tenant left the apartment in good shape, except that she left the oven a grungy greasy mess. So I charged $20 for cleaning it. Perfectly reasonable, I think.

And for every @sshole landlord, I can guarantee you that there is an equally @sshole tenant who moves into an apartment and then thinks he owns the entire building and can do whatever he wants just because he pays rent there. It's because tenants have so many legal rights these days that if you wind up with a bad one, it can take months or even years to evict him through the housing courts and in the meantime he can trash your property, make your life a living hell, and you may not even be able to find him to collect for the damages after he leaves.

Answer 3

Because all they care about is the money they get, and if the renter is paying the rent and if they think the renter will not fight back, they will do the bare minimum they have to. Only when things don't work out where they don't get their money will they decide to do something.

Answer 4

Someday, when you have enough money to own a rental property, you will understand why landlords will keep some (if not all) of your deposits.

Lets hope you won't turn into one of those landlords.

Answer 5

you are right some are nosey and feel they can do what they wish usually when you find byou hav a bad one the best thing you can do is find another place to live

Answer 6

Because those people who rent are like me. Whose life sucks.

Answer 7

Because they think that renters are stupid.

Answer 8

Most tenants don't do their homework.

Answer 9

Very true.