‘What Renters Want’ with Jessica Fiur: Your Apartment is Haunted? Who Ya Gonna Call?

Ghosts do not exist. It’s a scientific fact. That said, if I wake up in the middle of the night to use the bathroom, I always check in the bathtub to make sure that dead lady from The Shining isn’t there. And I will never, ever play that Bloody Mary game. Ever.

Of course, some people still strongly believe in the paranormal and supernatural. I recently came across a discussion on Multifamily Insiders where a landlord wrote that one of his residents said her apartment was haunted and didn’t want to live there, and he asked what he should do about it.

Howdy, neighbor. Could you keep the noise down? Thanks.

What would you do if one of your residents said their apartment was haunted? Would you take it seriously and look into it? Would you move them into a different apartment immediately? Would you mess with them by tapping on their windows late at night and laughing maniacally? (Or go old school and dress up in a sheet and drag some chains?)

Before you call for an old priest and a young priest to exorcise your building, there could be some rational reason why the apartment seems haunted. Here are some things that could happen in an apartment that could make it seem haunted, along with what could actually be going on. Sorry to burst everyone’s bubble.

The supernatural: Doors and cabinets slam on their own. The actual: This is probably caused by drafty windows, or doors that are too heavy. See if replacing the windows, or making sure they’re closed all the way. Actually, if this is fixed, it could end up helping the resident save money on heating or a/c. If the doors are too heavy, you could maybe put a stopper there to prop them open.

The supernatural: In the middle of the night there is loud banging coming from inside the apartment. The actual: Heat is rattling in the old pipes. Don’t know why this happens, but it does. Probably not a lot you can do about it.

The supernatural: People keep getting sucked into the television. The actual: Apartment was built on an ancient burial ground. You’ll have to move the bodies elsewhere. Either that, or it’s a Breaking Bad marathon. Riveting show!

The supernatural: People feel sick when entering the apartment, and immediately feel better when they leave. The actual: The apartment could be filled with mold, or there could be a gas leak. Either way, get a professional to look into it right away, and don’t let the residents move back in until you’re sure it’s safe.

The supernatural: Lights and the TV turn on and off by themselves. The actual: Some of the electrical wires might be crossed. You can have an electrician look into it. Or someone accidentally sat on the remote.

The supernatural: Patches of cold or hot. The actual: Again, check to make sure the windows are sealed. Make sure the refrigerator is closed and the oven is turned off all the way, and check out the a/c unit.

The supernatural: Actual ghosts sightings. The actual: It’s actually the residents, dressed up in costumes, to scare the other residents and you away so you sell the building and then they can buy it at a really cheap rate. And they would have gotten away with it too, if it weren’t for those meddling kids and that dog!

Do you believe in ghosts? And what would your be your reaction if your resident said his apartment was haunted?

-Jessica Fiur, News Editor

Photo credit: Jeff Thrower