Communicate With Your Landlord For A Positive Rental Experience

When renting an apartment, be it a unit in a building or a house, you have to have a clear line of communication between yourself and the landlord. In some cases, you will deal with the landlord directly, or you will communicate through the building manager or superintendent.

The landlord-tenant relationship can be quite simple — as long as both parties are reasonable, patient and courteous. When renting, you cannot go into it with an “us versus them” attitude. Remember, you have a mutually beneficial relationship — so be respectful and understanding, and pick your battles.

Don’t sweat the small stuff

If you are a healthy, able-bodied adult, doing some small chores and repairs around your apartment shouldn’t be an issue. You likely don’t need a service call to change a lightbulb or smoke detector batteries. Reaching out to the landlord for every little thing can strain the tenant-landlord relationship.

If something is legitimately broken, or the hot water doesn’t work or the heat breaks, of course, call the landlord, but for small fixes, try to handle them yourself.

Rent issues

If you are an otherwise stellar tenant, your landlord should be understanding if you have difficulty paying the rent one month. Instead of saying nothing and hoping the problem will go away, reach out. Communicating with your landlord about your rent is key when going through a one-time payment issue. If you explain the problem and how you plan to resolve it (needing more time, or having to sort out a banking issue), you should get an understanding response.

Saying nothing won’t do anybody any good. If the landlord issues a reminder that your rent was due and is now late, you need to address it. Don’t wait until you receive a second warning or an eviction notice. In many cases, issues can be resolved — especially if this is out of character for you as a tenant.

Know your rights

As a renter, you have certain rights. This is why it’s crucial to develop an arm’s length, professional relationship with your landlord based on mutual respect. Whether your landlord is an individual or a representative from a property management company, they still must provide you with clear information on your lease agreement. It’s okay to challenge your landlord if you believe they have done something wrong, but you must be mature and clear when voicing your concerns. Do your research and have evidence to back up your claim. Often these kinds of situations can be resolved in a way that satisfies both parties; you just have to approach it the right way.

Always read over paperwork clearly before signing a lease, and ask the landlord or building manager any questions you might have before agreeing to the terms.

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