Is it Illegal to post about former landlord's apartment on craigslist being unsafe for Occupancy?

[zackary42]

we moved out 4 months ago and broke our year lease we were not giving a Legal Eviction Notice we found another place Immediately and moved out, unfortunately abandioning our property in the process because of the roach and bed bug infestation the Landlord was a Scum Lord since we moved out nobody lived there until i found out he's re renting it again but after 4 months why so long? he lives in another state by the way can i get into trouble about talking about the apartment and the problems. Thanks

[jarl]

It is not illegal to write or speak about actual facts as long as you can back up your complaints.

It IS illegal to make false accusations and do defame someone's character without backup.

If you write that a landlord is a "Scum Lord" and it causes damage to his business because he is NOT a scumlord, you can be sued (and will lose) in a libel suit.

If you SAY the same, it is slander.

You do have the right to state that the apartment was infested with roaches and bedbugs if it was infested with roaches and bedbugs. Just be prepared to back up the statements with pictures and reports from exterminators. DO NOT make claims that the place was unsafe and do NOT make statements about the landlord personally.

[achban]

An insect infestation is not a safety issue. Also, you have no way of knowing whether or not the problem still exists.

You're VERY lucky he's not taking you to court to make you pay the rest of your lease. Just be thankful you got away, and move on with your life.

[ailwyn]

Yes, you can get in trouble. While it is not illegal to do what you want to do, but you are certainly leaving yourself WIDE open for a suit based upon slander and/or libel. Do you REALLY want this to occur ? Get a grip, grow up, and move on.

[nicolas]

Why can't you be mature and just move on?? Why act like a teenager in high school?