Slumlords Taint Our City's Image

According to one on-line source: "A slumlord (also spelled slum lord) is a derogatory term for landlords, generally absentee landlords, who attempt to maximize profit by minimizing spending on property maintenance, often in deteriorating neighborhoods. They may need to charge lower than market rent to tenants. Severe housing shortages allow slumlords to charge higher rents."

mag posted this comment in our posting about local slum lords. Here's their comment:

mag said..."I recently returned to Huntington after a 25 year absence. I needed a short term furnished apartment while more permanent arrangements were worked out. From the day I moved in there were serious issues with the apartment -- I documented each contact with the landlord and kept a running list of the issues. After two months in an unlivable situation, I moved out and am now fighting to get my damage deposit back.

This couple takes advantage of uneducated and down and out people who don't know they have the right to decent treatment and living conditions. Count me in on any activity to change the ordinances. I am appalled to have returned to a city demonstrating that it doesn't care about less fortunate people." 9:19 AM, May 20, 2008

mag's experience with an unscrupulous property owner is very common in Huntington. Again, it is high time to identified these landlords who are tainting Huntington's image. They must be legally forced to bring every single rental unit up to acceptable living-conditions and be forced to bring all of their units up to the existing building code standards.

What do you think?