Top tips to becoming a landlord’s dream tenant

Top tips to becoming a landlord’s dream tenant

February, 2020

If you have recently started renting a house or a flat, then first impressions count. You’ll want to show your landlord, from the outset, that you’re responsible and that you’ll take good care of the property.

Here are a few tips on how to be a dream tenant:

 

Don’t pay more rent than you can afford:

You’ve found your dream property, but it is over-budget. Even if it’s only slightly over-budget, don’t buy what you can’t afford. Rent within your means! Missed payments or late payments will sour your relationship with your landlord.

 

Be honest in your application:

As the saying goes, honesty is the best policy. If you’re a smoker, don’t rent a non-smoking apartment. Similarly, if you’re a pet owner, don’t rent a property with a no-pet policy. You may think you’ll be able to get away with it, however landlords have a way of finding out about these things, and you could risk eviction.

 

Don’t be afraid to ask questions:

Landlords would much prefer if you approached them with a question instead of going ahead and doing something without asking. This applies to decorating the property, having a partner/friend/family member move in, or adding a pet to the household. If you do something like this without asking the landlord first, only to discover you shouldn’t have done it, you risk fines or eviction. Also, your landlord will no longer feel like they can trust you, which puts a strain on your relationship.

 

Cleanliness is key:

The mark of a good tenant is their ability to keep the property clean. This doesn’t just mean doing a deep clean at the end of your tenancy; it means cleaning the property consistently throughout your lease period. Stains should be dealt with immediately, and if any walls/furniture/floors become damaged then they should be seen to ASAP. This will not only help you secure your deposit back at the end of the tenancy, but you’ll also be prepared should the landlord decide to visit at short notice.

 

Communicate openly and calmly:

If you have an issue with a neighbour or a roommate, then it’s best to contact the landlord directly and calmly, instead of being confrontational. Try to keep the drama to a minimum, and be as civil as possible. Alternatively, if something goes wrong with an appliance in the house, or if there’s a leak, again contact the landlord directly. Don’t try to fix the problem yourself as you may make matters worse.