Mold growth is another horror story. I had it in my first apartment. It started growing in the bathroom and then spread to the bedroom. It was not only ugly but also a health hazard. I had to scrub it off regularly and keep the place well - ventilated.
Well, the first apartment I had was in an old building. The walls were super thin. I could hear my neighbors arguing all the time. It was like they were in my living room. There was also this strange smell that would come from the vents. I think it was because of the old ductwork. I ended up moving out after a few months because I just couldn't stand it anymore.
Well, in my first apartment, there was a constant leak in the bathroom. Every time I took a shower, water would seep through the floor and into the downstairs neighbor's ceiling. It was so embarrassing and I had to constantly deal with the angry neighbor and the unresponsive landlord.
A common one is bad landlords. They might not fix things on time or try to raise the rent illegally. For example, I knew someone whose landlord didn't fix a leaking roof for months. It made the whole apartment damp and moldy.
One common horror story is dealing with a slumlord. They might not fix things like a broken heater in the middle of winter. You'd be freezing and they'd keep delaying the repairs. Another is finding out there are pests after you've moved in. I had a friend who rented an apartment only to discover it was infested with cockroaches and the landlord refused to do anything about it. And then there are noisy neighbors. You could end up next to a party - loving family who blast music all night long and don't care about the other tenants.
Well, often in these horror stories there is a lack of maintenance. For example, if there are heating or cooling issues and the landlord just ignores it. Also, problems with neighbors can be a part. If the landlord doesn't enforce proper behavior among tenants, it can make the renting experience really bad. There could be noise issues, or even safety concerns if the neighbors are unruly.
Dirty and messy roommates are common. They leave their stuff everywhere and don't clean up common areas. Another type is the noisy roommate who doesn't respect others' need for quiet.
The most common college apartment horror stories often revolve around shared living situations. Roommates can be a source of horror. For instance, a roommate who doesn't clean up after themselves, leaving dirty dishes everywhere or not taking out the trash. This can lead to an unhygienic and unpleasant living environment. Another common one is when there are issues with the heating or cooling system. In winter, the heater might break down, leaving students freezing in their rooms, or in summer, the AC not working, making it unbearably hot.
One of the most common horror stories is about bad smells. Some neighbors might cook really strong - smelling and unpleasant foods that permeate the whole floor. Also, there are those who have unruly pets that make a mess in the shared areas. And not to forget those neighbors who like to redecorate or do DIY projects at odd hours, like in the middle of the night, with all the hammering and drilling noises.
One of my first apartment stories was when I moved in and found a hidden little nook behind a bookshelf. It was like a secret space. I ended up using it to store my extra blankets and pillows.
One horror story could be about a tenant finding out their apartment was infested with rats. They would constantly see rats scurrying around at night, and even found rat droppings in their kitchen cabinets. It was a nightmare trying to get the landlord to take action.