The Tenants Who Turned Their Rental Into a Roller-Skating Rink

This piece is part of our International Bizarre Landlord Stories series. Today’s story was first reported in the United States.

Most landlords expect wear and tear from tenants, but one American landlord returned to their property only to find the entire downstairs had been stripped of furniture, carpets, and even interior doors. The tenants had converted it into their own private roller-skating rink.

The discovery

The landlord grew suspicious after neighbours complained of loud thumping noises and disco music late into the night. Upon inspection, it became clear that the tenants had been running roller-skating sessions inside the home. The wooden floors were heavily scuffed, and makeshift lighting rigs had been installed to create a nightclub atmosphere.

The aftermath

The property suffered severe damage, including warped floorboards and cracked plaster. The cost of repairs was estimated in the tens of thousands, with the landlord forced to replace much of the downstairs flooring. Although the tenants were evicted, they reportedly left boasting that their “house parties were legendary.”

Lessons for landlords

• Unusual noise complaints should not be ignored. Tenants often hope neighbours will stay silent, but repeated reports are usually a red flag.
• Regular inspections are crucial. Many landlords only discover misuse long after the damage is done.
• Even bizarre tenant behaviour is not always covered by insurance. Landlords should review policies carefully.

Your experience

What is the most bizarre way a tenant has used your property? Share your story in the comments below.

Series so far

• The Tenant Who Kept a Tiger in a Harlem Apartment
• The Day a Cow Knocked at a Fourth-Floor Flat
• When a Tenant Found a Python in the Toilet
• The Tenants Who Turned a Flat into a Miniature Zoo
• The Room Filled With 200 Bottles of Urine
• The Tenant Who Took the Roof With Them
• The Apartment That Became a Cat Colony
• The Tenant Who Grew Mushrooms in the Sitting Room
• The Tenant Who Stabled a Horse Indoors
• The Tenants Who Built a Swimming Pool Indoors
• The Tenant Who Raised a Lion Cub at Home
• The Tenant Who Built a Pub in Their Living Room
• The Tenant Who Turned Their Flat into a Chicken Coop
• The Tenant Who Kept a Crocodile in Their Rental Home
• The Tenant Who Turned Their Flat into a Boxing Gym
• The Tenant Who Kept a Pig in Their Apartment
• The Tenant Who Turned Their Flat into a Cannabis Farm

Background coverage: New York Post.