How to Be a Good Tenants | Seven Ways to be a Great Tenant
A good landlord would go to considerable measures to locate a suitable renter for their home. Good tenants have a track record of financial responsibility and rule-abiding conduct, demonstrating their capacity to pay rent and not cause harm to the property. Although difficult to identify, some characteristics might make a tenant stand out as the ideal tenant in the eyes of their landlord.
The easier it is to negotiate and win beneficial contracts with your landlord or property management, the better your relationship with them is. When it’s time to renew the agreement, a good tenant knows the landlord won’t abandon them without a fight, and the landlord may even be ready to renegotiate the conditions. A good rental history can even help you save money on rent without having to move and get extra advantages when your lease is up for renewal.
When it’s time to relocate, use these 7 ways to become a sought-after renter and get cheaper rentals, better lease terms, more home security, and good rental references.
7 Ways to be a Good Tenant
1. Make on-time rent payments
Even better, pay your rent on time! Making on-time rent payments is one of the most essential duties that a tenant has. The landlord-tenant relationship centers around regular rent payments in return for a place to live, and making on-time rent payments is one of the most important jobs that a tenant has. Rent is most likely used by your landlord to pay the mortgage on the rental property, therefore paying rent late might be a financial strain for him. So that your rent is always paid on time, your landlord’s property management software should allow you to arrange regular rent payments online straight from your bank account or with a credit card.
2. Treat your rented property as though it were your own
Taking good care of your rental opens the door to better relationships with your landlord and greater flexibility.
Landlords are frequently willing to accommodate tenant requests for property repairs and updates if they increase the property’s worth or allow you to stay longer. These requests are considerably more likely to be approved by landlords who know you treat the property well. You may also offer to undertake the work yourself, allowing you to make modifications to your house without having to violate your lease.
When it comes time to relocate, treating the home carefully guarantees that you get your deposit back. While regular wear and tear of rental properties is to be expected, do not do any serious damage to the property. Expect the cost of damage to be deducted from your security deposit, which is a definite way to irritate your landlord. You’re also legally accountable if the damage you cause exceeds your security deposit.
3. Communicate maintenance issue
Yes, landlords despite receiving bad news regarding costly repairs. Who wouldn’t want that? Experienced landlords, on the other hand, plan for them and understand that they are an unavoidable part of owning real estate. They also understand that routine house care improves the quality and value of any property. If left unaddressed, many property issues will worsen. A little roof leak may soon deteriorate, causing drywall and flooring damage as well as a mold problem.
Tenants are frequently the ones who provide bad news to their landlords. It’s a component of the relationship, and most lease agreements state that the tenant must notify the landlord of any maintenance difficulties promptly.
4. Breaking the Lease isn’t a good idea
Most tenants associate breaking a lease with severe infractions such as failure to pay rent, leaving early, or subletting without authorization. However, “shorter” lease terms are also important. It’s just another reason why you should read the fine print of the legally binding lease agreement you signed.
While a landlord has the legal right to evict a tenant for violating any provision of the lease, most landlords choose not to since it is time-consuming and costly. Still, the more closely you adhere to your contract, the more likely you are to coexist quietly with your landlord.
Pick up the phone and call your landlord if you want a lease term changed, say, the contract bans subletting. Discuss it with them, and keep in mind that you’re in a commercial partnership, thus everything is negotiable. If the landlord’s first reaction is, “We don’t allow subletting to short-term guests since there is a larger danger of property damage,” respond, “I entirely understand.” What amount of extra security deposit would make you feel more at ease about the increased danger of damage?”
5. Maintain the cleanliness of your unit
Walking into a dirty rental home raises landlords’ hackles faster than anything else. The majority of rental homes are valued hundreds of thousands of dollars, so finding such a precious asset being mistreated is reason for concern.
Keep your house clean and your landlord happy by following a simple weekly cleaning checklist. Once a year, do a more comprehensive spring cleaning to get rid of the filth and debris that accumulates over time. If you have dogs, take additional precautions to keep your apartment clean, especially if the landlord is scheduled to visit. Pet owners are prone to get desensitized to aromas from their pets, but your landlord will notice them.
If your landlord finds your unit in good working order, they will have more faith in you. When it comes to the lease renewal, more trust equals more negotiating power.
6. Discover the terms of the lease
Any illegal conduct on the land, as well as any behavior that endangers the community’s safety, shall be prohibited by a normal lease. These requirements, as well as other lease terms, will be followed by a good renter. Other lease restrictions that a poor tenant could violate often concern pets or loud parties that interfere with other renters’ right to quiet enjoyment. Lease breaches like these, in addition to nonpayment of rent, are real grounds for eviction, which is costly and unpleasant for all landlords.
7. Know your neighbours
When looking for a new apartment to rent, meeting potential neighbours is a terrific method to learn more about the community and the owner.
Knowing your neighbours after you move in adds an added layer of protection between you and the landlord. Regardless of your best efforts, everyone, sooner or later, does something to irritate the neighbours. By the time a matter is raised to the landlord, it might appear to be a much greater issue. Instead, offer your neighbours your mobile phone number and ask them to call you.
Knowing your neighbours allows you to keep an eye on each other. If you have to leave town for a lengthy period of time, your neighbours are more likely to keep a check on your unit if they are familiar with you. Neighbors who are friendly will also do tiny services for one another.
Conclusion
You are a tenant, and your landlord is a service provider. There is a commercial relationship between you. Regard one another’s business relationships by being respectful of the lease agreement you signed, the property you’re leasing, and by speaking with respect to one another’s business relationships.
In exchange, the landlord will treat you with respect and strive to maintain you as a happy, long-term customer. Landlords are far more ready to make exceptions for good tenants who have a history of paying on time and taking care of the rental property. They make renewal and rent rise choices based on the same track record when it comes time to renew the lease.