Dos and Don’ts of Being a Likeable Tenant

When it comes to rental, much emphasis is paid to the likeability of a landlord. However, that alone isn’t enough to ensure a long-term tenant-landlord union is formed. Both parties must stress on the importance of a healthy, long-term tenancy relationship. Why is that? It’s simply inconvenient for a tenant to hop between rental condos. Therefore, when a tenant comes across a decent rental property with a decent landlord, they must do their bit to (at least) come off as likeable. We unveil our very own ‘do’s and don’ts’ checklist of being a likeable tenant for your benefit. Consistent good behaviour on your part can ensure that your landlord would be more accepting of a future misstep on your part.

Do’s

Listed below are the desirable qualities of a likeable tenant. 

Do Make Regular Payment of Rent

At the end of the day, a rental agreement is primarily formulated for the payment of rent. As a tenant, it’s your basic duty to be regular with monthly rental payment. It is for this reason that regular, timely payment of rent is the most critical of the do’s that a tenant must consider. Besides, if you are generally very regular and timely with your monthly rental payment, the landlord would be more understanding of a situation where you can’t possibly pay the rent in time. But the landlord would only consider this delay in payment if your overall track record with the monthly payment of rent is generally spotless.

Do Remain Honest and Communicate Well

It’s important to be honest and open about the problems that you face. You may be staring down at a period of temporary unemployment, and we still believe it is best if the landlord knows about this. Or, let’s assume if there is damage to the rental property, or if there’s a maintenance issue, then your landlord must be notified about it. It’s always better to notify your landlord about such issues when you first come across them because there is a general pattern with maintenance issues – they get more and more expensive to deal with as the time passes. Your honesty will work to your advantage in general cases. But most importantly, your landlord will trust you to inform them about anything that needs their attention, and that’s certainly a likeable trait.

Do Remain Polite at All Times

Being polite is a virtue, even when you’re participating in an argument, let alone being polite with your landlord. Just as we are polite during the course of our business relationships, you must also maintain the same sense of politeness and civility during your tenancy. After all, your tenancy in the rental property is essentially based on a business agreement, and your relationship with that of your landlord is strictly a business relationship too. This expectation applies to the landlord just as it applies to the tenant. No healthy landlord-tenant relationship is deprived of politeness and good behavior.

Don’ts

Listed below are the qualities that make you an undesirable tenant. The consequences of being an unlikeable tenant may just deprive you of quality rental accommodation.

Don’t Cause Damage to Property

While this is supposed to be obvious, it still makes the list as this is undoubtedly any landlord’s first priority. As a tenant, you must be careful about the way you treat your property. We understand that any damage caused to property is seldom intentional, it’s just that vigilance is the best tool to avoid catastrophe. So, treat the rental property as if it’s your own home. This applies to the basic structure of the property, its paint, its doors and windows, the furniture, and its components.

Don’t Make Structural Changes

In certain cases, the installation of an appliance may need you to make a structural change to the property. But, it’s only fair that you ask your landlord prior to making such a structural change to the property. Chances are that your landlord wouldn’t necessarily mind giving you the permission if the change you are making to the structure of the rental condo isn’t a major one. But, asking for permission beforehand is imperative. Not doing so, in certain cases, may even be a violation of your lease agreement. 

Don’t Pester the Landlord

Now, this may not be applicable to most tenants out there. However, we have witnessed instances where landlords complain that the tenants ask seemingly irrelevant and obscure questions that could have waited. It’s simply better to call your landlord’s property manager instead. Your landlord’s property manager is the perfect bridge between you and your landlord. And they can help you with all the queries that may arise during your tenancy tenure. But, if there’s something greatly significant that occurred, don’t hold back such information from the landlord. Absolutely critical information must get through, make no mistake.

Don’t Violate the Agreement

Your rental property can be routinely inspected by the landlord or their property manager as a part of the rental property management contract. Any wrongdoing can be identified during the course of one of these routine inspections. During the course of our professional services, we have come across instances of a tenant sharing a rental property with a previously unspecified person. Or, let’s consider a situation where you’re opting to go for a pet during the course of your tenancy period. Will you not refer to the agreement beforehand to check if that’s a violation of your rental agreement? The practice of violating your rental agreement is obviously problematic on many counts, and it may very well lead to its immediate termination based on the severity of the violation.

If you’re already in the middle of a rental tenancy we hope this guide serves you well. And, if you’re on the lookout for decent rental accommodation, we have can help you search quality rental condos. Our business makes it essential for us to help both landlords and tenants with their urgent requirements. Contact us to get started!