Never underestimate the positive consequences that result from building a good relationship with your landlord. Whether you like them or not, they own your shelter, the apartment where you lay your head at night. There might be numerous other options for renting, but your current landlord can make the difference in you being offered a lease in the future. With that in mind, let’s look at 3 strategies for building a good relationship with them:
1. Pay Your Rent When Due
This is no minor issue with a landlord. Your agreement to pay rent and your fulfillment of that promise is the reason your relationship exists. Without it, there’s no need to have you on the premises. It’s income to your landlord to support their livelihood. Work hard to pay rent on time, and don’t ever pay rent late (as much as possible). Get this one area of your lease agreement right, and you’ll take a major step towards building a good relationship with your landlord.
2. Limit Minor Repairs Requests
You have the right to live in an apartment that’s inhabitable. The landlord is legally responsible for maintaining the apartment so that it’s livable. That’s different from a requirement to fix every little thing in the apartment that bothers you. One way to not build a good relationship with your landlord is to become a nuisance about minor repairs. For example, fixing a chip on the counter top or changing the carpets because there are brown spots here and there are minor repairs that you shouldn’t bring up with the landlord. At least not right away.
If you’ve paid rent for years, plan to remain in the apartment for a long time and have a good relationship with your landlord, then you have the “credibility” of a tenant to approach them about it. Otherwise, your lengthy list of cosmetic based minor repairs will concern your landlord about the money they’ll have to invest in the apartment just to keep you happy. It may even result in a rent increase.
3. Train Your Dog
The lease agreement should specify whether you have permission to keep pets at the apartment and what kind. If you’re allowed to keep a dog, it’s important to manage him in and out of your apartment, and when your landlord comes by. For example, clean up after your dog when you take him for walks. Keep him on a leash, so that he doesn’t bother other tenants.
When he’s in your apartment, take necessary steps to control his barking, including training him on when it’s appropriate to bark and when it’s not. When your landlord comes to make repairs or to inspect, consider keeping him in a room so that he doesn’t bark or gnash his teeth at the landlord, making them feel uncomfortable. These are all steps you can take to keep your landlord happy about your dog, and it will keep your relationship with them positive.
Working on these 3 strategies will make a major contribution towards building a good relationship with your landlord. A good relationship will position you to negotiate better rent and request lease changes down the road.