Shady Landlords: Should You Check Their Criminal Backgrounds?

Recently a neighbor's son-we'll call him the tenant- was in fury, screaming that he was going to move out of the complex he had lived in for more than four years. As well as I did, one would wonder what would make a tenant want to move after so many years? Until he informed me that the landlord had been illegally providing them with electricity, I couldn't see leaving a place I called home.

As the story unfolded, the tenant stated that he had been paying DTE every month for his utility bills; the catch was soon discovered that he had been paying on the gas portion of his electric bill (which is combined in Metro Detroit). Needless to say, when the current was cut from his building, the residents were in an uproar. The tenant continued to tell the story of how he contacted the landlord about the disconnection, and to his surprise, the landlord stated that [he] had 'never' paid an electric bill. Okay, I know you all are like me at this point-Mouth wide-open! But yes, the landlord had the audacity to tell his tenant this to his face, and informed the tenant that he should contact DTE; Before I continue, let's look at this: Now, if the tenant calls DTE, like he did, wouldn't that raise a red flag on behalf of the landlord? I thought so...but DTE told the tenant that he'd have to take this issue up with his landlord. Sounds confusing doesn't it? I know, but as the story continued to unfold, the tenant raised issues on how he went into the basement of the building, finding that the fuse box, and/or connections were 'rigged'; therefore allowing the landlord to have this 'free' electricity. And my question to you is what could actually be done about this?

I'm not looking for a solution as to what to do with the landlord, other than file claims against him, but I would like to know what is going to be done about all these tenants who are faithfully trying to pay their bills...and to find out that they are not paying for the electricity they are using in their units? Calls made to the DTE office and City Council (Detroit), only offered the same advice...to take it up with the landlord.

How do we spare ourselves from these types of issues? I would definitely say that this falls under the "Slumlord" category; Simply because if you are in agreement with this person, thinking that you are taking their word for it that all things are right and just- concerning your new living quarters/home, and to find that you may be guilty by association for their crimes is a no-no in my book any day!

So, I urge each and everyone of you: Take the time to inquire about your new landlords just as they take the precautions of allowing you to rent/buy from them. There is no law against it, and I'm sure there are a lot of people out here who would have saved a lot of money just by taking a few moments and a few extra dollars doing a background check on the management/landlords that are out here doing just that-SLUMMING!!