This isn't just about slumlords breaking the rules—it's a symptom of a deeper housing shortage pushing people into unsafe living situations. When affordable rentals are scarce, desperate renters end up trapped in dangerous spaces, and lax enforcement lets these illegal setups thrive. It’s a wake-up call about how bad the housing crisis has gotten.

Black-market rental properties are being openly advertised with unsafe conditions, BBC finds.

The BBC uncovered illegal rental properties being openly advertised despite having hazardous conditions like rat infestations, mold, and extreme overcrowding. These "black-market" house-shares operate in plain sight, exploiting tenants who may have few other housing options.