From Fake Thermostats to Ceiling Collapses: 30 Worst Landlord Horror Stories 2025

Finding a dream home is hard, but dealing with a nightmare landlord is harder. A viral compilation from Bored Panda has exposed 30 shocking instances where landlords prioritized profit over basic human decency. From ignoring toxic mold to installing 'thermostats' that are literally just plastic shells nailed to a wall, these stories prove that skepticism is a tenant's best friend.

When Home Becomes a Nightmare: Worst Landlord Horror Stories

The level of neglect documented by tenants is staggering. In one case, a landlord refused to fix a ceiling leak for two weeks, only for the tenant to wake up to a massive cave-in. Another tenant discovered their landlord had been charging residents to use the elevator—a utility that's typically included in the rent. In Minnesota, a landlord turned down the heat as temperatures plummeted to -40°, prompting the tenant to blast the electric heater provided at the landlord's expense.

The Legal Fallout: From Neglect to Jail Time

While some stories are bizarre, others are criminal. Steven Croman, a notorious Manhattan landlord, treated his tenants as 'targets' in a decades-long harassment campaign to flip rent-controlled buildings. He utilized Anthony Falconite, a retired officer, to intimidate residents by posing as an inspector to gain illegal entry.

Croman's greed eventually caught up with him. After performing more than 175 illegal constructions, he was charged with grand larceny and tax fraud. In 2017, he was ordered to pay $8 million to his former tenants and served a jail sentence. It remains one of the most significant legal victories for tenant rights in modern history.