Being a tenant has its pros and cons. You’re not responsible for as much as the homeowner, but you do have an obligation to meet the terms of your lease. Here are some things you can do to stay responsible and trustworthy.
- Pay rent on time. This sounds like obvious advice, but you’d be surprised at how many people don’t follow through on this. Paying your rent on time creates trust between you and your property owner.
- Take care of your space. Keeping your place clean and tidy shows that you care about your space. What does that mean exactly? If you’re in an apartment, you regularly clean the floors, carpets and counters. In a house rental, you keep the outside of your property tidy. You don’t leave junky items on the porch or in the driveway.
- Communicate issues and repairs. If you have repairs that need to be made, notify your landlord as soon as possible. Some issues get worse over time or cause additional expenses (like a leaking faucet). It’s never fun to be the bearer of bad news, but the sooner you can let your landlord know that the property needs attention, the better off you’ll both be.
- Don’t break the terms of your lease. Following all the terms of your lease will set you up for success. If the lease says animals aren’t allowed, don’t get a cat or a dog and keep it a secret. If there are terms regarding extra bodies in the space, don’t let your brother and his friends stay over for unlimited amounts of time.
- Get along with other tenants. There are so many ways neighbors can be irritating. From loud music blaring into the night when you’re trying to sleep, to not following rules around parking. No one is perfect, but when you’re renting, it’s a good idea to try to get along with others. You don’t want a reputation for being difficult, especially if you intend to lease again and need a reference.
- Have a relationship with your landlord. Reach out and try to get to know them. Notify them if you plan to take a longer than normal vacation or if you’ll be hosting a party. Communication goes along way.
- Be Honest. It goes without saying that honesty is the best policy in most circumstances in life, and as a tenant. If you were to experience a major life event like a job loss or a death in the family, being honest with your landlord about what’s going on will likely benefit you in the long run.
- Share contact information like email and text so you can be easily reached in case of an emergency.
