Definition

A person who owns and rents out poorly maintained properties, often charging high rents while neglecting repairs and upkeep.

Example

The slumlord refused to fix the broken heating system in the building, leaving tenants in the cold.

Conversation

Did you hear about that new apartment complex downtown?

Yeah, I heard it's run by a slumlord who doesn't fix anything.

That's so frustrating! People deserve better living conditions.

Absolutely! It's unfair to charge high rents for such bad places.

Synonyms & Antonyms

Root Explanation

Slumlord is formed from "slum" (originating from the 19th-century British slang, meaning a squalid or run-down area) and "lord" (from Old English "hlaford", meaning a master or ruler). The term describes a landlord who owns and rents out properties in poor, often neglected conditions.

Memory Tip

Think of a 'lord' who owns properties in a 'slum' — this helps you remember that a slumlord is someone who manages run-down rental properties.

Visually Confused Words