7 Ways to Handle a Difficult Landlord in Bennington

Slumlord, a derogatory term for a landlord who typically charges high rent and does little to improve or even maintain their rental properties, has become a more common term over the last few years. In 2020, the cost of building materials, along with just about everything else, skyrocketed. This cost lead to a dramatic rise in the cost of housing. Couple this with the fact that most new housing developments are aimed at the wealthy and vacation rentals, there is a sudden lack of properties available and the ones that are around, have balooned in price. Finally, since 2017, the cost of apartment rentals has increases by 18.97% while the average wage has increased by just 5% over that same period, means that renters have fewer options and less cash in the bank to be able to move - even if they could find an apartment. All of these factors can contribute to making moving apartments difficult - if not impossible. so, with all of that in mind, what can you, a renter, do if you find yourself paying rent to a difficult landlord? Here are our best tips to make the most of an unideal situation.

Follow Lease Terms: First and foremost, ensure that you're following the terms of your lease agreement. By adhering to your responsibilities as a tenant, you strengthen your position in any disputes with your landlord. If the worst case scenario happens, this will give you firmer legal ground to stand on.

Request Repairs in Writing: No handshake deals or phone call requests. If there are maintenance or repair issues, submit requests in writing - preferably emails which have a timestamp and can be printed out as proof. This provides a documented record of the issue and your request for resolution - and this type of documentation also can help your landlord stay organized. Giving them they benefit of the doubt, they may simply be overwhelmed by requests and can easily forget that phone call you made last week.

Document Everything: While we’re at it, keep a record of all communication with your landlord, including emails, text messages, and phone calls. This can be useful later on, even if at the time it may seem unimportant.

Stay Professional: Just like we all learned (or should have) in Kindergarten, treat others the way you’d want to be treated. It’s easy to get caught up in our own lives but do your best to remember that your landlord is a person too and likely has all kinds of stresses they are dealing with everyday. Maintain a professional and respectful demeanor, even if your landlord is difficult. This can help keep the situation from escalating further. If you lose your temper on your landlord, they may retaliate - unjust as it may be - by ignoring or delaying acting on your requests for help.

Be Flexible: Try to find compromises when possible. If you're facing financial difficulties or other challenges, discuss potential solutions that could benefit both parties. Especially here in Vermont, some landlords may be inclined to give you a discount on rent for helping with lawncare, snow removal, or property maintenance.

Know Your Rights: Familiarize yourself with Vermont tenant rights and local rental laws. This knowledge can empower you to stand up for yourself if your landlord is not abiding by the law - and to inform you on when legal action may be necessary.

Consider Legal Advice: If the situation becomes particularly challenging or if you feel like your landlord has violated the law, you might want to consult with a legal professional who specializes in landlord-tenant issues. Here in Vermont, Vermont Legal Aid is an excellent resource and you may be eligible to receive free legal council.