Athens Ohio Apartments: Warning Signs of a Slum Lord

Looking for Athens Ohio apartments? You had better be careful who you rent from. Rent from the wrong slum lord, and you could lose more than your deposit. You could potentially be sued for damage you didn't do. You could wind up with a landlord that never fixes anything, leaving you to deal with the upstairs toilet that threatens to crash into the living room. Luckily, you can do your homework on the landlords of these Athens Ohio apartments. Consider these suggestions for spotting the slumlords from the landlords.

First, talk to your friends. The slumlords have earned themselves a reputation, and word of mouth travels fast in Athens, Ohio. Apartments that are trash infested and roach filled are often owned by the same set of landlords. If you know someone who has had a bad rental experience, find out the name of the landlord or rental agency. Jot them down in your black book and never rent from them under any circumstances.

Talk to the current tenants of any Athens Ohio apartment

You can also speak to the residents already living in the apartment you're thinking about renting. If they've had legitimate problems with the landlord, they'll say so. Ask about maintenance and how timely repairs have been. You might also want to ask about heating bills, electricity costs and other key deciding factors. Learn to spot the slumlords behind Athens, Ohio apartments before you sign a lease.