We talk a lot on here about terrible, predatory landlords, and that's only a small part of the constantly ongoing discourse on the topic around the wider internet. And, to be fair, they're an easy group to hate... There's a lot to be said about a group of wealthy investors who bank land and real estate, which pushes up prices for everyone else, who are then forced to rent and service the mortgages of the very same places they were priced out of in the first place, all the while contending with that same wealthy investor who treats the tenant with cynicism and regards the fact that they're living in their "investment" to be an inconvenience—even though the fact that they're paying to do so was the entire point to begin with.
Yeah, like I said, easy to hate—but it's important to remember that, as with any group, while the notable terrible outliers might stick in your mouth and leave a bad taste, the exception is not the rule. There are plenty of normal people renting out their family home or second home for plenty of normal reasons and who don't at all relish the opportunity to wield power over their tenants' lives. Sure, they might cover a light switch or fixture with white paint from time to time, but otherwise, they're just normal, hardworking people.
Similarly, while the internet is usually largely sympathetic to the plight of tortured tenants, the same rule applies. There are loads of bad tenants out there who have no care for the places they're renting, and then there are the uniquely terrible tenants who do their best to practically demolish the places they're living in, leaving their landlords with no avenues of recourse. The problem is these bad eggs are a big part of the reason why landlords hedge their bets and are so cynical in the first place. They've heard these types of stories and live in constant fear of this happening to their own homes.
Yeah, these are the types of tenants that this landlord was dealing with when they found themself left with a trashed house and needing to break even—and get even.
Stay up to date by following us on Facebook!