slumlord

English

Etymology

Blend of slum +‎ landlord

Noun

slumlord (plural slumlords)

1. (derogatory) A person who makes money by renting housing that is kept in poor condition.

   Coordinate term: slumlady

   • 1959, Senate Hearings September 23 and 24, 1959: Vol 1, page 484:

     The slumlord was collecting over $100 a month for this horrible place.

   • 1960, Mad Magazine April 1960, page 10:

     The first rule in the slumlord business is: “The poorer the tenant, the bigger the profit!” The explanation is simplicity itself. For example, a poor family needs a two-room apartment, but can't afford the $40.00 a month rent. So you divide the two rooms into four smaller apartments, and rent each one for $20.00 a month. The poor families are happy with the low rent, and the slumlord is happy with the increased profit.

   • 1989 December 3, Laura Briggs, quoting Mike Mamone, “'Somewhere Else' Plans January Opening”, in Gay Community News, volume 17, number 21, page 3:

     The guy's a real bastard, a real slumlord. He never did anything to maintain the place. He wouldn't give us a written lease—we only had a verbal agreement.

Translations

Translations

• Dutch: huisjesmelker (nl) m
• Finnish: slummin vuokraisäntä
• French: marchand de sommeil (fr) m, vendeur de sommeil (fr) m
• German: Bruchbudenvermieter m (rare), Schrottvermieter m (rare)
• Polish: slumlord (pl) m