Skip to content
General Landlording & Rental Properties

User Stats

13,324
Posts
3,942
Votes
Brandon Turner#1 Questions About BiggerPockets & Official Site Announcements Contributor
  • Investor
  • Maui, HI
3,942
Votes |
13,324
Posts

Landlords Breaking the Law?

Brandon Turner#1 Questions About BiggerPockets & Official Site Announcements Contributor
  • Investor
  • Maui, HI
Posted Aug 31 2015, 11:19

Hey folks, I'm working on a blog post about the common ways landlords break the law. For example: 

  • violating fair housing laws
  • keeping a security deposit when they shouldn't (or not having good documentation.) 

Any other good ideas for how landlords are breaking the laws? 

Thanks!

User Stats

13,447
Posts
8,334
Votes
Steve Babiak
  • Real Estate Investor
  • Audubon, PA
8,334
Votes |
13,447
Posts
Steve Babiak
  • Real Estate Investor
  • Audubon, PA
Replied Aug 31 2015, 11:32

Failing to maintain / code violation issues

Unlicensed rentals

Rent skimming (collecting rent but not paying mortgage and property taxes)

User Stats

3,405
Posts
2,424
Votes
Ryan Dossey
  • Real Estate Broker
  • Indianapolis, IN
2,424
Votes |
3,405
Posts
Ryan Dossey
  • Real Estate Broker
  • Indianapolis, IN
Replied Aug 31 2015, 13:55

Exceeding occupancy limits. "I don't believe that your husband only visits during the day with 7 kids." 

Not following tenant/landlord laws in regards to late fees.

Not providing proper notification for inspections.

BiggerPockets logo
BiggerPockets
|
Sponsored
Find an investor-friendly agent in your market TODAY Get matched with our network of trusted, local, investor friendly agents in under 2 minutes

User Stats

16,692
Posts
28,700
Votes
Russell Brazil
  • Real Estate Agent
  • Washington, D.C.
28,700
Votes |
16,692
Posts
Russell Brazil
  • Real Estate Agent
  • Washington, D.C.
ModeratorReplied Aug 31 2015, 16:35

Unlicensed units.

Not reporting all their income.

ADA Violations involving service dogs

Fair housing violations typically in reference to familial status and size

Not having a separate account for security deposit

District Invest Group Logo

User Stats

53
Posts
28
Votes
Cindy Meyer
  • Investor
  • Bastrop, TX
28
Votes |
53
Posts
Cindy Meyer
  • Investor
  • Bastrop, TX
Replied Aug 31 2015, 17:02

Putting terms in lease that are against their state laws.

User Stats

30
Posts
12
Votes
Replied Aug 31 2015, 20:27
Foreign Investors who use real estate agents as property management and then try to relinquish real estate agents responsibility when they fail to ignore the laws. Luckily there are options for tenants but most will not fight it.