Landlords Realty TV Show Concept Teaser Video

"Landlords" is the proposed title of a unique new reality TV show concept currently being shown to networks for sale. The show features, Brent Sobol, a young, award winning property manager as he navigates the social, economic, and cultural complexities facing tenants, employees, law enforcement officers, and 'the system' in a low income, 345 unit apartment community, located in the highest crime precinct within the City of Atlanta. Part Cops, part The First 48, part The Wire, Part Extreme Home Makeover, "Landlords" provides a graphic look inside an apartment community in transformation where lives are changed one tenant at a time! Sobol partners with established Atlanta film producer and director Len Gibson to develop the show concept.



What did you all think?

I would totally watch this! Then again... I love anything that has to do with apartments and crime

Morbid? Maybe... but it makes for good TV!

Sure hope a network bites! I'm guessing, tru tv might

Tara :cheer:

I would absolutely watch this show. There is a local Property Manager in Omaha that is doing his own reality show called "The Super". I think this is a great concept!

Just found this interesting listing that was used to try to find a suitable "star" of the show before they found Brent Sobol. Reality show casting Landlords to be star of show.

I can’t comment as myself, nor do I have the availability to do so from work. But I wanted to share with you my feelings regarding this. I have often joked that we should have a reality TV show about Apartment Communities, especially with what I deal with on a daily basis. That being said I don't think it should just be solely on Affordable Housing. If I was watching this show as someone who has never lived on an Affordable Housing Property there is no one I would live on. Therefore, this has the potential to hurt the affordable housing industry.

There are two different types of Affordable Housing: the straight HUD Properties otherwise known as Public Housing and then there is the mixed Affordable Housing aka Tax Credit that can have section 8, market units, Public Based Voucher Units, Units owned by the Housing Authority, 30% Income Units. Not all Tax Credit properties offer these programs but they are still considered affordable housing. I experience a form of racism every day from my residents, and yesterday I experienced it from an industry professional. They did not want to live on my property because we accept section 8 vouchers. They qualified income wise and were within the Income Restrictions but because of that one simple thing they changed their mind. Tax Credit properties are constantly fighting the bad public image people have of us on a daily basis. It does not matter that we have three to four state inspections a year so our maintenance is always up to date and done right. What matters to people is the image they portray of low-lifes, criminals, and laziness.

It's sad to say but I know the only reason I get someone who is white or Asian to live at my property is because I'm white and here. Otherwise they leave the property once they hear we are an Affordable Housing Property. I have worked at three properties like the one in the video and they are rough, tough and are like that due to the onsite teams or owners not caring. There not a day that goes by I don't wonder is this the day that a resident is going to be angry at me enough to punch me or worse shoot me. Now it is very obvious that the owner of that community cares about his property and the reputation but my experience with owners of Affordable Housing has been only about the numbers not the quality of life.

Now let’s think about the professionals that are working on those properties who have had to struggle to get the training they need that is geared towards affordable housing teams. I feel strongly that this could go either way - Trainers will wake up and realize we need more training on our affordable teams or good, qualified people who could make a difference on a property will avoid anything that is Affordable Housing. I love the Affordable Housing Industry and that is why I want to focus on bringing more training to us. Often Affordable Housing is considered the bad child of the industry and this type of show may only bring more negativity to it.

I don't currently subscribe to network TV, but this show would make me consider doing so! I have worked tough properties (not quite on this level) so I like the concept. I do agree that it would be cool to see a variety of communities but purely for entertainment purposes.
As for anonymous’s comments I must disagree. While there are some people who believe the stereotype in my experience they are few and far between. We are constantly turning people away who apply for our communities who are over qualified. These are people from every background. They do not know when they visit our community that we are affordable housing, and many are pretty disappointed after taking a tour and falling in love with our community only to find out they are OQ. When I first started working in affordable housing I was stunned that people wanted to live in our communities so bad they would try to convince me they made less money than they actually do.
I currently manage a community that has Sect. 8, Tax Credit, and Market Rate all mixed in. I challenge anyone to visit a mix of these apartments and tell me who’s Sect. 8 and who’s market. I actually have a 2 year waiting list on my market units because we only have 31 out of 160+ units. Also my mkt units are more expensive than the neighboring community that is high-end resort living. So that kinda blows the whole theory that people are afraid to live in an affordable housing community out of the water.
Our communities compete for awards from local apartment association, and every year at least one of our affordable communities beat out a conventional community. I am fortunate to work for a management company that not only holds it staff to a higher level, but the community owners as well. Our company turns down owners who do not want to help us achieve the best living conditions possible for our residents.
Many years ago when I left the conventional side of PM everyone thought I was crazy to want to work in the “slums”. I still haven’t worked in a slum. What I have done is help people who struggle to make ends meet find a home that they can afford, feel safe in, raise their children in, and be proud of.

Finally! When I worked onsite I always thought the business would make a great reality show. Love the idea and hope they take it beyond affordable housing to the often drama-filled conventional side as well!

Did I just see an apartment manager put on a bulletproof vest? I don't think I could ever watch this. "The lady in the water" movie is as far as I go.

Also, I would think that the residents who are breaking the rules would not consent to being filmed.

OMG~~I had a property like this in Southwest Detroit! I would watch it!!

As for anonymous’s comments I must disagree. I have worked section 8, section 236, R&D, LIHTC, mixed, senior and market rate properties. All of them had a diverse population. I have actually had more crime on some of my market rate communities that I did on my affordable properties. It comes down to our perception and expectations. There are good folks at all economic levels. And a few bad apples also!!

Great concept. I would watch the show

When is it gonna air? I can't wait to watch...right up my alley