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landlord special

landlord special

8.1
A cheaper apartment with few repairs or updates
  • noun
  • Jargon
translation icon : oferta del propietario
  • When I moved into the landlord special, I noticed the paint was peeling and the appliances were outdated.

Examples

  • The real estate agent warned us that the apartment was a classic landlord special with only cosmetic fixes.

  • Many students choose a landlord special because the rent is lower than in renovated units.

  • The apartment was a landlord special with outdated fixtures.

  • Many landlord specials are available in the city.

  • Many students choose a landlord special because the rent is lower than in renovated units.

  • When I moved into the landlord special, I noticed the paint was peeling and the appliances were outdated.

  • The real estate agent warned us that the apartment was a classic landlord special with only cosmetic fixes.

Synonyms

low-rent housing
vslandlord special
1 2.3

Homes that have low rent for people with little money

emphasizes poor condition and minimal improvements rather than targeting income level

How Upgraded

luxury
322 4.2
landlord special
  • Jargon
8.1
fixer-upper
  • Informal
11 4.5

Surface Forms

Morphology

landlord + special

A B1 learner who knows 'landlord' and 'special' can infer this refers to something the landlord is offering (a special deal or unit), so part of the meaning (an offer or bargain) is predictable from the constituents. However, the conventional negative nuance — that the unit is substandard or minimally upgraded — is pragmatic and culture-specific and not fully deducible from the literal words, so prior exposure helps.

Etymology

The compound noun landlord special comes from old rental ads where the landlord called a simple apartment a special to attract renters. That's why it now means a basic apartment with few improvements and usually 'lower rent'.