What are the common elements in apartment renting horror stories?

One horror story is about a tenant who found out the apartment was infested with cockroaches the day they moved in. The landlord had hidden this fact and refused to take any action. They had to spend a fortune on pest control themselves.

Well, in many renting a room horror stories, the condition of the room itself can be a common element. For example, a room with a damp and dark atmosphere, or a room that always feels cold even in warm weather. It gives an eerie feeling. And then there are the strange behaviors of previous tenants. Maybe they left behind some strange items or there are rumors about their fates in the room. This all adds to the horror factor. There are also cases where the landlord has some really odd rules or a very secretive attitude, which can be quite creepy for the renters.

A common one is unexpected rent hikes. You sign a lease thinking you know what you'll be paying, but then the landlord suddenly increases the rent mid - lease. Another is when landlords don't fix things. For example, a leaky roof that they ignore.

Dirty and messy roommates are common. They leave their stuff everywhere and don't clean up common areas. Another type is the noisy roommate who doesn't respect others' need for quiet.

The most common college apartment horror stories often revolve around shared living situations. Roommates can be a source of horror. For instance, a roommate who doesn't clean up after themselves, leaving dirty dishes everywhere or not taking out the trash. This can lead to an unhygienic and unpleasant living environment. Another common one is when there are issues with the heating or cooling system. In winter, the heater might break down, leaving students freezing in their rooms, or in summer, the AC not working, making it unbearably hot.

A common one is bad landlords. They might not fix things on time or try to raise the rent illegally. For example, I knew someone whose landlord didn't fix a leaking roof for months. It made the whole apartment damp and moldy.

One of the most common horror stories is about bad smells. Some neighbors might cook really strong - smelling and unpleasant foods that permeate the whole floor. Also, there are those who have unruly pets that make a mess in the shared areas. And not to forget those neighbors who like to redecorate or do DIY projects at odd hours, like in the middle of the night, with all the hammering and drilling noises.

One common horror story is dealing with a slumlord. They might not fix things like a broken heater in the middle of winter. You'd be freezing and they'd keep delaying the repairs. Another is finding out there are pests after you've moved in. I had a friend who rented an apartment only to discover it was infested with cockroaches and the landlord refused to do anything about it. And then there are noisy neighbors. You could end up next to a party - loving family who blast music all night long and don't care about the other tenants.

Mold growth is another horror story. I had it in my first apartment. It started growing in the bathroom and then spread to the bedroom. It was not only ugly but also a health hazard. I had to scrub it off regularly and keep the place well - ventilated.

I once rented a house where the heating system was completely broken. It was in the middle of winter. When I called the landlord, he was very unresponsive. I had to endure freezing temperatures for weeks until I found a local repairman myself and deducted the cost from the rent, which led to a huge argument with the landlord.