One of the toughest things about being a tenant is that they must abide by other’s rules – or they’ll need to find a new place to live. Most of the time, rental rules are reasonable and easy to follow. Some landlords and property managers, however, take things too far with extremely restrictive or nonsensical rules. While it’s their property and they have the right to set the rules, going on a power trip is a sure way to have an ever-revolving door of tenants. Here’s a look at some of the oddest rules we’ve heard of.
No sidewalk chalk
Parents from one apartment complex were upset when a sign was hung at the property prohibiting sidewalk chalk. The sign stated sidewalk chalk was considered graffiti and was no longer allowed. The penalty for breaking this rule? The parents of the children would be charged a minimum of $20 to remove the chalk. According to the property manager the rule had always been in place but wasn’t enforced until there were complaints of “vulgar” drawings. While the property manager justified the decision due to a desire to keep the property up to their strict aesthetic standards, many of the residents thought the rule was ridiculous.
Sharing a single bed with other tenants
It’s probably safe to say that most tenants expect the space they rent to be exclusively theirs. Or at least the bed they sleep in. One landlord didn’t seem to agree. To start this odd listing off, the landlord said the cost of their rental was $123, without a timeframe. Was this for a week? A month? The rental was offered to four tenants, with a single bed. The listing stated the space was ideal for shift workers who could take turns sleeping while the other one was at work. In case the tenants forgot the rules, the landlord had written them on the walls for easy reference. To make this listing even odder, the rules were very specific, like “turn off the lights when not in the room” and “keep cupboard doors closed.”
No overnight guests, no alcohol
One landlord’s listing went viral because of her extreme rules. No loud noise after 9 pm, no laundry during the workweek, no overnight guests, and no drinking… ever. Unsurprisingly, many people questioned her alcohol restrictions, to which she replied, “don’t like the rules, buy a tent.” She continued to say, “drinkers fall down a lot and lose their jobs, so they need tents.”
No guests, period
One listing started with a reasonable set of rules: “must be quiet, clean, and respectful.” This quickly went downhill with a long list of bizarre demands, including:
- NO GUESTS!!! No one is permitted on the property but those residing at the residence.
- Rides must stop at the end of the driveway and let you off accordingly. If your ride lingers or comes onto the driveway it is considered trespassing and will be handled as such due to posted signs on the property.
- No cooking of food during the hours of 9:30 pm to 6:00 am on weekdays and between the hours of 9:30 pm and 9:30 am on weekends.
Thankfully, most landlords and property managers are reasonable people who keep their rules standard and focused on being respectful of the property and community. The best rental situations are built on a balance of mutual respect without going overboard on being overly controlling.
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