Pennsylvania Couple Shares Landlord Horror Story: 'This Has Bankrupted Us'

A Pennsylvania couple are sharing a landlord horror story that they hope serves as a warning to others.

Todd and Linda Endsley signed on for a rent-to-own contract with a father and son landlord duo who they now say "preys on low income people." Both 61 years old with health issues, Todd is a disabled veteran, while Linda is unable to work after having four heart attacks.

The couple originally signed onto their rent-to-own contract in October 2020, paying a $5,250 down payment. But just three days after moving in, they realized they had been deceived about what the property truly entailed.

"Electricity was dangerous as power was off when we looked at the home," Todd told Newsweek. "Plumbing leaked. The kitchen was in poor shape. When we went to use the cabinets, they fell apart. I then started to look at his other properties on the county tax site and saw properties in deplorable conditions."

The Pennsylvania Attorney General's Office also alleges the landlords, Joseph Johns and Joseph Johns Jr., let homes fall into disrepair, intimidated tenants and charged illegal late fees and interest rates on rent-to-own contracts. More than 50 homes in Greene and Fayette counties are believed to be impacted.

Tenants experienced missing pipes and appliances, leaking and damaged roofs and windows, insect infestations and malfunctioning plumbing, the AG said.

"These landlords target low-income tenants and subject them to illegal fees and terms, while also requiring consumers to pay cash in person, oftentimes under harassing circumstances," Attorney General Michelle Henry said. "Every Pennsylvanian has the right to safe, secure, and comfortable living conditions, and my office will not tolerate landlords who prey on vulnerable residents."

During this time, Todd said he had to put in a new kitchen in his home, alongside a bathroom and all new plumbing and electric, which ended up costing them their entire savings.

After looking at how many evictions were noted in magistrate dockets, Todd said it became clear he and Linda might be in a bad situation.

"This began to raise a red flag that we were in trouble and Mr. Johns started to say we bought it as is and won't and can't do anything," Todd said. "I then could not find any of his homes being sold under a rent to own."

In March, Todd said Linda was sexually harassed when she went to make a payment at the Johns' home. This was after the couple had already used their life savings to make the home "livable" due to the state it was in when they first made a down payment.

"We used all of our savings within the first six months to have a kitchen, bath, electric and duct work put in so that we could make the place somewhat livable and call home," Todd said. "This has bankrupted us. Now we have nothing to fall back onto for emergency use and now live month to month on my disability check while still making monthly payments to this man."

And tenants are now saying the duo is attempting to evict residents while still under investigation. In January, the Johns filed six evictions, according to WPXI TV.

The Attorney General's Office said a "stay" was placed on evictions with court dates in mid-February, and until then no one should get evicted.

"When we learned of these latest evictions, we went back to the court to essentially stay them," the Attorney General's Office told Newsweek.

How to Protect Yourself Against Landlords

Marisa Simonetti, a Minnesota realtor, said rent-to-own scams often prey on the elderly and self-employed, as they don't typically fit into the traditional bank-loan box.

To prevent this, buyers need to be "crystal clear" on purchase price, monthly payment, downpayment, buyout price, term length, and who is responsible for ongoing maintenance. And it needs to be in writing.

"With well-intentioned individuals, the primary goal is a stable situation. For the seller, this looks like receiving payments on time and the property being cared for," Simonetti told Newsweek. "For the buyer, this looks like peace of mind in knowing they have a stable home and clarity on what it takes to refinance when the time comes."

While some low-income renters might feel they're getting a favor from their landlord, this is usually far from the truth.

"It's common for low-income tenants to be taken advantage of because they are the least likely to pay for legal advice from an attorney or representation by a realtor before entering the agreement," realtor Pila Jessie told Newsweek. "Many feel like the landlord is doing them a 'favor.' They are not. These contracts are primarily written in favor of the property owner."

In order to best protect yourself, the lease-to-own contract needs to cover every scenario, from payments applied to principal, disaster situations, repairs, missed payments and even the death of the landlord.

You also should keep records of every single payment you make, Jessie said, and understand how they are applied to the balance of the house.

Although the Pennsylvania Attorney General filed a suit against the landlords for wrongdoing, they don't represent specific tenants. Now the Endsleys are now looking for an attorney and hoping to raise the funds, despite their fixed income.

"We ask for your help and understanding that no one should have to go through what we are going through," Todd said on the couple's GoFundMe page. "We have used every dollar we have saved thinking that with a large down payment and making monthly payments that we would enjoy the last of our years in a place we can call home."

Altogether, the Endsleys spent more than $18,000 on the home repairs, believing the property would be their final home as seniors. Now all of that is in question.

"The stress of all this is taking its toll on both myself and my wife," Todd said. "Knowing we used every last penny on this home, knowing that we have nowhere to go as life savings are gone."