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NYC has a few resources on checking out bad landlords: The public advocate puts out an annual list of the 100 worst landlords: https://landlordwatchlist.com/

by danso 7y ago

NYC has a few resources on checking out bad landlords: The public advocate puts out an annual list of the 100 worst landlords: https://landlordwatchlist.com/ https://landlordwatchlist.com/ There's also various sites that attempt to connect property ownership data with other city databases, such as inspection violations: https://whoownswhat.justfix.nyc https://whoownswhat.justfix.nyc

dbattaglia 7y ago
My wife and I had an apartment in Brooklyn a few years ago that we broke the lease after two months. It was a total horror show, complete w/ bedbugs and broken everything. Glad to see that landlord on the landlordwatch.com private landlords list, thanks for posting.
nextos 7y ago
That's great. The UK really needs some regulations against scammy landlords and agents. The market is a total Wild West now. During the last 5 years, I have rented many different properties in the Oxbridge area. All brand new houses (I really was the first person living there), from well-known estate agents and with high rental prices. In all cases except one, I have ended up really dissatisfied. Most properties never attempted to renew my contract after 6/12 months, or asked for an unreasonable rental increase in order to actually kick me out. I suspect this was done to put the property back into the market and generate more fees for the agent. Often, the property would be vacant for a month or two after I left, which makes even less sense. Twice, my deposit has not been returned and no explanation has been provided. Naturally, I took both cases to the Ombudsman and won. But it is a huge waste of time. Twice, I had massive floods due to piping issues but received no compensation despite their promises and legal obligation to do so. I have rented many other properties abroad, including US & Scandinavia. And never had an issue. Here, it is crazy bad. And as a tenant you can't do much, because you need references in order to rent the next flat.
- smartscience 7y ago
  > Most properties never attempted to renew my contract Martin & Co by any chance? They tried this, but they must have forgotten that the property was an annex next to the landlady's main house, and we spoke every day. The estate agent served me an eviction notice, so I just signed a new rolling contract with the landlady directly. Other evidence of their genius comes from the fact I specifically told them I was wanting to rent a place for my new job in the area, and them then writing to my old employer in Manchester to confirm my future income.
  - nextos 7y ago
    No, but I have heard some bad stuff from Martin & Co at work which matches your experience. The only decent landlord I have had was a rich guy in Cambridge who marketed his properties (he also built them) through Savills (crazy fees though) and managed them himself, without an agent. So I agree with you. Having middle-men tends to make things even worse.

by danso 7y ago

dbattaglia 7y ago

My wife and I had an apartment in Brooklyn a few years ago that we broke the lease after two months. It was a total horror show, complete w/ bedbugs and broken everything. Glad to see that landlord on the landlordwatch.com private landlords list, thanks for posting.

nextos 7y ago

That's great. The UK really needs some regulations against scammy landlords and agents. The market is a total Wild West now. During the last 5 years, I have rented many different properties in the Oxbridge area. All brand new houses (I really was the first person living there), from well-known estate agents and with high rental prices. In all cases except one, I have ended up really dissatisfied. Most properties never attempted to renew my contract after 6/12 months, or asked for an unreasonable rental increase in order to actually kick me out. I suspect this was done to put the property back into the market and generate more fees for the agent. Often, the property would be vacant for a month or two after I left, which makes even less sense. Twice, my deposit has not been returned and no explanation has been provided. Naturally, I took both cases to the Ombudsman and won. But it is a huge waste of time. Twice, I had massive floods due to piping issues but received no compensation despite their promises and legal obligation to do so. I have rented many other properties abroad, including US & Scandinavia. And never had an issue. Here, it is crazy bad. And as a tenant you can't do much, because you need references in order to rent the next flat.

smartscience 7y ago
> Most properties never attempted to renew my contract Martin & Co by any chance? They tried this, but they must have forgotten that the property was an annex next to the landlady's main house, and we spoke every day. The estate agent served me an eviction notice, so I just signed a new rolling contract with the landlady directly. Other evidence of their genius comes from the fact I specifically told them I was wanting to rent a place for my new job in the area, and them then writing to my old employer in Manchester to confirm my future income.
- nextos 7y ago
  No, but I have heard some bad stuff from Martin & Co at work which matches your experience. The only decent landlord I have had was a rich guy in Cambridge who marketed his properties (he also built them) through Savills (crazy fees though) and managed them himself, without an agent. So I agree with you. Having middle-men tends to make things even worse.