SECTION 6 UNINHABITABLE CONDITIONS INTRODUCTION

 WALLS OF SILENCE 

Surviving Don Klyberg

What Is A Slumlord Really?

Photo Credit: @Renpro | This photo of a Black female, posted to Renpro's article to bolster their property management business—minimizing the issue of slumlords and slum housing, while also casually discrediting victims of slum housing, particularly "their poster child" —The Black Woman as people who "don’t want to pay their rent"—demonstrates how widespread the issue of people living luxurious lives through predatory rental practices truly is. It also shows how multiple layers of predatory entities work to keep slums as slums because it is so profitable. Now, do you think this particular photo was chosen at random, or because Black women are seen as easy targets in a society that routinely ignores their legal complaints?

Related: GOP Operative Anton Lazzaro’s Sex-Trafficking Conviction Reveals He Worked In Minnesota Property Management

Photo Credit: @Rentec Direct | In their article "No, I'm not a slumlord—I'm a LANDLORD!" by Dulcey S, featured below, four Black women and a Black male are featured standing in front of a brightly colored, broken, boarded up property, some smiling, some looking exhausted, holding signs that read "No More Slumlords." 

The article unintentionally supports my testimony in my latest book, despite the landlord and state involved being completely neutral and unaware of my situation in here in Minnesota.

I was the one who made the animal control call, and the city held an affidavit confirming needed repairs. Yet, only roach extermination—to prevent them from entering the surrounding white neighborhood—was ordered. 

The property was then awarded a current Certificate of Occupancy, in violation of the state habitability code, without a single repair conducted in my unit. 

As a result, I remain in the worsening conditions that I was in when I made that call, which the local culture weaponized to protect everyone of the white neighbors, but desert me, including the property manager who was the "first to know" about the roach infestation. This reality pairs up perfectly with Dulcey S. explanation of what a Slumlord is. What she outlined is the smokescreen that many Minnesota nuisance properties and slumlords hide behind.  As the author points out:

"Slumlord is defined on Dictionary.com as;

A landlord who owns slum* buildings, especially one who fails to maintain or improve the buildings and charges exorbitant rents.

*A thickly populated, run-down, part of a city, inhabited by poor people." 

And that's the game: choosing locations not automatically considered run-down or inhabited by poor people, accepting rental assistance (federal aid intended to prevent slums), and then abusing the renters of these properties under specific circumstances—relying on public employees to adopt the same bigoted views as you and thereby curb the law in your favor. As a result, you can have tenants renting at the same location, having completely different rental experiences, assisting the courts in dismissing tenant complaints as dramatic or even flipping it on the tenants painting them as irresponsible people that don't want to or cannot afford to pay rent. 

Related: University of St. Thomas Student Incarcerated for Sex Trafficking Worked In Minnesota's Property Management Sector

Here is the article’s author:

Now, do you think Dulcey S chose this particular photo of four Black women at random—or because American slumlords most often target Black women in a society that chronically ignores their legal complaints—I mean why did both of these articles chose to make us their centerpiece with photos of black women totally unrelated to their articles?

Just as some people—evidently—believe that there is a face for victims of Slumlords and Slum-Housing because they've chosen to post that face in order to spread media that socioeconomically stereotypes them as problematic, difficult, suspicious, dangerous, undesirable—not for an expectation of decent rental housing, but for insinuated genetic and cultural inability to pay their rents or lack of  responsibility to prioritize their rents...

There is a face of criminal slumlords that preying on American citizens—a face, by the way, that wouldn't look any more polished than the women these articles chose to feature, if were them who were living in hell and being robbed of their wealth, health, privacy, dignity, peace and stability right?

Additionally, these slumlords are often draining American taxpayers because many slumlords target lower-income Americans receiving subsidies by federally contracted development agencies or housing authorities who receive incentives for operating government programs.

These development agencies and housing authorities must have plans to eliminate, reduce, monitor slums. It's not that these subsidized programs fail to meet the objective—they're brilliantly regulated to meet the objective in every instance that regulation is obeyed and enforced by the book. 

It's the individuals the programs employ. It's the individuals who fill regulatory positions—who are willing to skirt the letter of the law for their own objective, most often the socioeconomic protection of white supremacy.

Many landlords complain about subsidy programs such as the Housing Voucher program because of the legal advocacy and protections they offer participants—more often than not, by ensuring properties meet code.

These images of devoured rentals afforded to Housing Choice Vouchers are completely false, because participants must follow strict codes of rental conduct—on top of the lease agreement—in order to receive financial assistance. They’ll be kicked off the program, which often takes 5–9 years to get into, if they’ve demolished or dirtied residences. When you see these stories, realize that you’re more likely than not hearing from a slum.

If you are a victim of a slumlord or slum-housing, our suggestion is to create a blog and post the evidence where the public can see what’s happening to you. Narratives on both sides become secondary to the factual evidence—this may help eradicate the slum from American existence. If you need help in this task, contact our partner North Star to publish your story.

As an important note to this article, neither Renpro nor Rentec Direct chose to cite or credit where their article images originated. It would appear that any Negro female(s) would do—which is something we often hear touted when police are seeking a Black suspect. The point being: the high mortality of African Americans is deriving from more than one source.

Where we have sound regulation and law, such as in the area of housing, there is no reason to allow encroachment on the health and wellness of renters—irrespective of race, gender, or the source of their income. There is an issue of criminality, not disparity, in housing.

It’s pretty simple: criminal actions should be charged and sentenced as such. Consequences should be executed for everyone who fails to meet the mark of regulatory enforcement. If we’re unwilling to do that, then we should name and discuss it for what it is.

No we're not fools. We know what a slum is and what a slumlord is, when we experience them. However, the following is Google's AI return Verbatim when slumlord is put in the search bar.

A slumlord is a landlord who prioritizes profit over maintaining safe and habitable living conditions for tenants. They often neglect property upkeep, fail to make necessary repairs, and disregard housing codes, leading to dangerous and unhealthy living environments. This behavior is often driven by a desire to maximize profits while minimizing expenses. Here's a more detailed breakdown:

Characteristics of a Slumlord:

Neglect of Maintenance:

Slumlords fail to address issues like plumbing leaks, pest infestations, mold, structural damage, and broken appliances.

Substandard Housing:
Properties may lack basic amenities like hot water, heat, or safe electrical systems.

Ignoring Housing Codes:
Slumlords may disregard building codes, health, and safety regulations.

Profit-Driven:
They prioritize maximizing profits, often by cutting costs on maintenance and repairs.

Vulnerable Tenants:
Slumlords may target tenants who are low-income, have limited housing options, or face other vulnerabilities.

Absentee Landlords:
They may be less accessible and responsive to tenant needs, making it difficult to address issues promptly.

Intimidation Tactics:
Some slumlords may use intimidation or harassment to discourage tenants from reporting problems or seeking repairs.

Impact on Tenants

Unsafe and Unhealthy Living Conditions: Slumlord properties can pose serious health and safety risks to tenants.

Financial Burden: Tenants may face increased expenses due to pest infestations, property damage, or health issues related to the substandard conditions.

Stress and Anxiety: Living in unsafe conditions can cause significant stress and anxiety.

Legal Recourse

Tenants may have legal recourse against slumlords, including the right to withhold rent, sue for damages, or seek relocation assistance. In some cases, slumlords may face criminal charges for violating housing codes or endangering tenants.

How to Identify a Slumlord

Poor Property Condition:
Look for signs of neglect like peeling paint, broken windows, or visible damage.

Lack of Maintenance:
Inquire about the landlord's responsiveness to maintenance requests and how long repairs take.

Unreasonable Rent Increases:
Be wary of landlords who raise rents excessively while failing to maintain the property.

Failure to Screen Tenants:
Slumlords may not conduct thorough tenant screenings or background checks.

Unprofessional Conduct:
Pay attention to how the landlord interacts with tenants and handles issues.