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.

Translations

This article is issued from Wiktionary. The text is licensed under Creative Commons - Attribution - Sharealike. Additional terms may apply for the media files.