logo

31 Times Landlords Claimed They Could Fix Something After Being Asked To But Failed Terribly

There you have it — a bunch of cheap landlords trying to fix things.

31 Times Landlords Claimed They Could Fix Something After Being Asked To But Failed Terribly

Some people fix things. Other people… tape them, paint over them, and pretend the problem magically evaporates. This list is basically a highlight reel of landlords being asked to handle basic repairs, then returning with renovations that look like they were done mid-chaos, mid-laugh, or mid-mistake.

[ADVERTISEMENT]

It starts with the most innocent-sounding tasks, like moving into a new apartment and discovering mosquito “sealing” under countertop epoxy, or being promised a deck pressure wash that somehow turns into a mystery mess. Then it escalates fast, like the landlord who was told to replace a leaking gas fireplace because of CO, only to leave behind a living-room monstrosity. And yes, there are also curtain rods that get nailed instead of installed properly, a “fixed” leaky ceiling, and a bathroom counter covered in cement that screams, “Who signed off on this?”

[ADVERTISEMENT]

One simple repair request later, the apartment feels less like home and more like a crime scene.

1. Just moved into my new apartment and saw this

1. Just moved into my new apartment and saw thisReddit
[ADVERTISEMENT]

2. Landlord renovation special: mosquito sealed under countertop epoxy

2. Landlord renovation special: mosquito sealed under countertop epoxyReddit
[ADVERTISEMENT]

3. Told our landlord to replace our gas fireplace because it was leaking CO; came back to this monstrosity in our living room

3. Told our landlord to replace our gas fireplace because it was leaking CO; came back to this monstrosity in our living roomReddit

4. Just moved into a new home and found where the landlord patched the carpet

4. Just moved into a new home and found where the landlord patched the carpetReddit

5. My landlord told me he’d pressure wash my deck…

5. My landlord told me he’d pressure wash my deck…Reddit

6. Landlord mowed my garden

6. Landlord mowed my gardenReddit

7. This is how the landlord fixed the leaky ceiling

7. This is how the landlord fixed the leaky ceilingReddit

8. Vent done, boss

8. Vent done, bossReddit

9. Please, do not cover your bathroom counter in cement. This has homeowner written all over it.

9. Please, do not cover your bathroom counter in cement. This has homeowner written all over it.Reddit

10. Our landlord keeps saying there’s nothing wrong with our shower...

10. Our landlord keeps saying there’s nothing wrong with our shower...Reddit

11. A paint over

11. A paint overReddit

12. Apparently, a friend’s landlord fixed their fire sprinkler

12. Apparently, a friend’s landlord fixed their fire sprinklerReddit

13. No problem here

13. No problem hereReddit

14. Landlord hung the microwave; this is as far as it opens before hitting the wall

14. Landlord hung the microwave; this is as far as it opens before hitting the wallReddit

It also echoes a tenant withholding rent over roommates who neglected apartment repairs.

15. My landlord refuses to come over and turn down my water heater

15. My landlord refuses to come over and turn down my water heaterReddit

16. As a landlord, I am constantly amazed at some things my tenants do. I installed new curtain rods before the new tenant moved in, but she still felt it necessary to nail the curtains to the wall.

16. As a landlord, I am constantly amazed at some things my tenants do. I installed new curtain rods before the new tenant moved in, but she still felt it necessary to nail the curtains to the wall.Reddit

17. Landlord painted over a penny

17. Landlord painted over a pennyReddit

18. Fixed the shower curtain, boss

18. Fixed the shower curtain, bossReddit

19. Toddler-proof paint job

19. Toddler-proof paint jobReddit

20. My landlord installed a new cabinet

20. My landlord installed a new cabinetReddit

21. Landlord fixed my wobbly clothes rail; no handyman needed here

21. Landlord fixed my wobbly clothes rail; no handyman needed hereReddit

22. Our toilet seat broke, so the landlady sent us a new one and ignored our request for it to be square

22. Our toilet seat broke, so the landlady sent us a new one and ignored our request for it to be squareReddit

23. My landlord painted over tape

23. My landlord painted over tapeReddit

24. Landlord may have broken a sweat if he had moved that penny before painting

24. Landlord may have broken a sweat if he had moved that penny before paintingReddit

25. The paint on my apartment window sill is peeling. Turns out it’s marble that they whitewashed.

25. The paint on my apartment window sill is peeling. Turns out it’s marble that they whitewashed.Reddit

26. My landlord gave us a new oven

26. My landlord gave us a new ovenReddit

27. Really...

27. Really...Reddit

28. Why cut the door when you can cut the carpet instead! (Found in new house basement)

28. Why cut the door when you can cut the carpet instead! (Found in new house basement)Reddit

29. Landlord said the screws weren’t holding

29. Landlord said the screws weren’t holdingReddit

30. Leaving this without comment

30. Leaving this without commentReddit

31. Just moved into a new build, and the landlord straight up painted over a couple of wasp nests in my closet

31. Just moved into a new build, and the landlord straight up painted over a couple of wasp nests in my closetReddit

The moment OP noticed mosquito sealed under countertop epoxy after moving in, you could already tell this landlord’s idea of “fixing” was going to be… creative.

Then the gas fireplace CO issue hit, and the landlord’s return to the living room made the whole situation feel dangerously unserious.

After that, it was all patchwork energy, from pressure-washing promises that never happened to carpet “repairs” and a ceiling fix that clearly did not stop the leak.

By the time the landlord painted over wasp nests in a new build closet, the only consistent theme was that nothing was actually getting repaired, just covered up.

Of course, there are considerate landlords out there who take care of their tenants' issues right away and who are also fine individuals with whom you could have a cup of tea. However, because these landlords are typical and behave the way they should, they aren't discussed too much. 

Drop your thoughts about these landlords in the comments below.

Nobody wants to live in a place where the landlord treats “maintenance” like a coat of paint over the problem.

Want more landlord drama, read how a landlord rejected a tenant with a pet despite solid references.

More articles you might like