Back to: Finding Your Place: Overcoming Barriers in Rental Housing

Starting from day one you want to prepare for your lease renewal and a positive reference from your landlord. Here’s how you can make a stellar impression and maintain it as well as minimize the impact issues that you may face.

• Pay Rent on Time or EARLY!!: Establish reliability by consistently paying your rent on or before the due date. This is the most critical aspect of being a great tenant.
• Maintain Open Communication: Keep the lines of communication open with your landlord. Inform them promptly of any issues or repairs needed in the property. Communication is always the best policy, even if the news is not good, maybe you will be late on rent, or broke something in the unit, being direct is always the best approach. Landlords do not need extensive excuses, if you have an issue or challenge be concise and tell them how you will solve the issue and prevent it from happening again . For example: I am sorry I am late this month, I had an unexpected issue come up, I will be setting aside some extra money to make sure I always have rent paid on time in the future.
• Respect Property Rules: Adhere to all property rules and regulations. This includes noise levels, pet policies, guests and their behavior, and use of common areas.
• Keep the Property Clean and Tidy: Regularly clean and maintain the rental unit. This shows respect for the property and helps avoid damage.
• Report Maintenance Issues Early: Don’t wait for small issues to become big problems. Early reporting can prevent further damage and more extensive repairs. An example is a running toilet, this can increase the water bill substantially and higher bills means higher rent for all tenants.
• Be a Good Neighbor: Foster a positive relationship with your neighbors. Respect their space and peace, and address any concerns they might have directly and diplomatically. Calmly talking with someone face to face is often far more effective than sending texts or complaining on social media, the same for reporting minor issues to the landlord. Landlords are not your parents and a typical response might be “If it is something illegal, call the police, if it isn’t then deal with it between yourselves like adults and only involve the landlord if you can not do so.”
• Seek Permission for Changes: Always get written permission from your landlord before making any alterations to the space, including painting or installing fixtures.
• Follow the Lease Terms: Thoroughly understand and comply with the lease terms. Whether it’s regarding guest policies or subletting, sticking to the agreement is crucial.
• Minimize Wear and Tear: Treat the rental as if it were your own home by avoiding unnecessary wear and tear (removing shoes inside for example.) Use fixtures and appliances responsibly and keep them clean.
• Renew Contact Information: Keep your landlord updated with any changes in your contact information to ensure they can always reach you when needed, this is especially true if you change phone numbers or email addresses.
• Be Proactive About Lease Renewal: If you’re interested in renewing your lease, don’t wait until the last minute. Discuss your intentions with your landlord well in advance.
• Request Improvements and repairs Politely: If you desire upgrades or improvements, approach the topic respectfully and understand that not all requests may be feasible and remember, increased costs for landlords need to be earned back in rent, so understand that some improvements may lead to increased rents in the future.
• Respect Inspection Times: Cooperate with scheduled inspections or visits by providing access as agreed upon in your lease, ensuring these visits are as smooth and brief as possible.
• Leave a Lasting Good Impression: When it’s time to move out, aim to leave the property in as good condition as you found it, or better, to ensure a positive final impression.
• Request a Reference: If you’ve adhered to these practices, don’t hesitate to ask your landlord for a reference. A good reference can be invaluable for your future rental endeavors.