Being a good renter - How you can benefit
Why would you care about being a good tenant?
If you ask yourself this question then this article is for you.
There are lots of benefits in being a good tenant/renter. Landlords are people like everyone else. If you have a good relationship with your landlord and you try to negotiate a late payment or lower rent this will greatly affect your chance of getting what you want vs. if you have a very poor relationship.
Another reason to be a good tenant is that landlords often deal with a lot of bad tenants. If you can prove to your landlord that you are a good tenant you have a huge advantage compared to the bad tenants. Even small things like just saying hi to your landlord and smiling will be noticed.
At some point you will also need to move out. A good reference when looking for an
apartment for rent is golden.
So how do you become a good renter?
Here are a few simple guidelines that will get you on the good side of your landlord.
Pay rent on time, or before, every month
If you have a hard time doing so add your due date to your calendar or even better your cell phones built in calendar. This way you will be reminded every time.
You can also give post dated checks or even better if your landlord uses an
automatic rent collection your rent will be taken from your bank account automatically!
Keep your apartment relatively clean
Besides the obvious fact that this is also better for your health it is well advised to keep your place clean. If you can't do this at least make sure it's clean before each inspection.
No excessive noise or partying
If your place is the place for all the parties you will run into trouble eventually. If your landlord doesn't live on the property it is almost guaranteed that at some point your neighbors will complain. No matter what your landlord will eventually know. In many provinces and states excessive noise is enough for an eviction notice!
Stay within the law
This is self-explanatory but don't break the law by doing drugs or other criminal acts.
Solve you own problems
Unless it's strictly needed try and solve you own problems. Landlords are typically very busy and do not like to get disturbed by small things. It's important knowing the distinction between what your landlord should know and what he doesn't need to know. Each landlord is different so it's recommended that you ask your landlord. If it's a maintenance problem, report it immediately.
Follow your lease agreement
Read your lease agreement and make sure you follow it. Simple things like painting your suite without approval can get you into trouble.
This is not legal advice. Always ensure that you follow applicable Tenancy and Bylaw Regulations.
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