How to Get Along With Your Landlord
The landlord-tenant relationship is often stereotyped as a difficult and challenging one. While the relationship may start out on steady terms, a few mishaps and miscommunications can quickly turn a positive relationship into a challenging and, at times, uncomfortable one. Rather than wait until the relationship begins to take a turn for the worse, begin the relationship on good terms and maintain it throughout the term of the rental contract.
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Instructions
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Familiarize yourself with your state's laws regarding landlord and tenant rights. Read through both the tenant information and the landlord information, to ensure that you understand the rights and responsibilities of both sides.
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Take steps to protect yourself and your rental contract from the time of your first entry to the rental. Complete a walk-through with the landlord and identify any damaged or poorly kept areas. Note the identified areas -- with pictures or video, if possible -- and discuss the steps that the landlord will take to improve them. If there is an agreement that you will correct the issues, note the agreement. Request your landlord to sign off on the walk-through notes. File the notes in a safe place.
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Maintain the rental property in good condition. Treat the property respectfully and avoid damaging it. Familiarize yourself with the rental agreement and take steps to avoid doing anything that violates the contract.
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Inform your landlord immediately of any issues or problems with the property. Contact the landlord; leave a detailed but pleasant message, if necessary. Speak clearly and without anger, so your landlord does not feel as if he is being attacked.
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Keep detailed notes of your landlord interactions and requests. Document the reason for the request, along with the date, the time and the type of contact. Note any response and/or action resulting from the request and whether or not the action actually resolved the issue.
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Make your rental payments on time and as indicated in your rental contract. Purchase a money order or write a check for the payment; never make payments with cash. Use the cancelled check or money-order receipt as confirmation of payment. Contact the landlord if you expect to be late with your payment. Avoid being consistently late with payments; this can be terms for the landlord to break the rental contract.
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Provide your landlord with at least 30 days' notice if you do not intend to renew your lease or rental agreement. Clean the rental property thoroughly to return it to its original condition. Complete a final walk-through with your landlord and take notes of any changes or damages. Take pictures or video, if possible, and compare your initial notes and video to the final notes and video.
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Treat your landlord with respect, regardless of what happens. Take the appropriate steps, as outlined in your state's landlord and tenant laws, if formal intervention or legal action is required.
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