Dictionary

slumlord en · NOUN

Etymology

Blend of slum + landlord.

Meanings

1. (derogatory) A person who makes money by renting housing that is kept in poor condition.
   • 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. 1960, Mad Magazine April 1960, page 10:
   • The slumlord was collecting over $100 a month for this horrible place. 1959, Senate Hearings September 23 and 24, 1959: Vol 1, page 484:
   • 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. 1989 December 3, Laura Briggs, quoting Mike Mamone, “'Somewhere Else' Plans January Opening”, in Gay Community News, volume 17, number 21, page 3:
   • Coordinate term: slumlady

Forms

Deriveds

slumlording

Relateds

Rachmanism · rack rent

Translations (8)

nl huisjesmelker (Translations) · de Schrottvermieter (Translations) · fi slummin vuokraisäntä (Translations) · fr marchand de sommeil (Translations) · sv hyreshaj (Translations) · de Bruchbudenvermieter (Translations) · pl slumlord (Translations) · fr vendeur de sommeil (Translations)