15 Ways You Can Keep a Positive Relationship with Your Landlord (and Score Perks!)

If you want to get off on the right foot start with your very first communication. Be polite, ask smart questions, and show up on time to your showing. Let your potential landlord know you’re a responsible person who respects his or her time.

Whether it’s when you’re trying to get the apartment, or after you’ve moved in, respect your landlord’s work hours. Don’t call them late at night or early in the morning unless it’s truly an emergency.

It should go without saying that in order to maintain a good relationship you need to pay your rent on time. Your landlord should not have to go chasing after you. Hold up your part of the bargain.

There are few things that annoy a landlord more than tenants who don’t respect the property. If you want to maintain a good relationship take care of the property as though it were your own. A landlord who sees a unit falling into disrepair will only see dollar signs – and no property owner wants to see that.

It’s inevitable that at some point something will need fixing. Whether it’s a leaky pipe or a broken window, let your landlord know right away. When problems are left to linger they can get worse, and it can cost them more to fix it down the road.

If something in your unit needs fixing, consider getting a few quotes or recommending repair people who can do the fix. While you shouldn’t just go ahead and hire anyone, offering helpful suggestions can make your landlord’s life easier.

It should go without saying that if you cause trouble you won’t be very popular. So don’t be loud late at night, don’t start fights with the neighbours, and don’t cause trouble around the property.

Be honest and follow the rules of the lease. If it says you can’t smoke or have large pets, don’t smoke or have large pets (not that I have anything against them!). If it’s a residential apartment don’t run a business out of it. And if you’ve said you’re the only one living there, don’t sneak in a dozen of your friends and family members.

Making upgrades to an apartment is almost always a good idea, but before doing anything you need to discuss it with your landlord. There may be restrictions or limitations that you’re not aware of that could cause issues. On the flip side, it’s also possible your landlord may be willing to pay for it if it’s something that can add value.

A good landlord should be prompt and willing to listen to your requests, however if something is not an emergency, don’t hound them. If you have a reputation for being reasonable and easy to deal with, your landlord is far more likely to comply when you ask for something.

It’s amazing how far a simple thank you can go. So every now and then, send a thank you note to let your landlord know you appreciate what he or she does around the building.

‘Tis the season of giving, so don’t forget about your landlord. You don’t need to go out and spend a fortune, but a small token of appreciation – a gift card, box of chocolates, etc. – lets them know that you recognize the importance of what they do. Providing you with a clean and safe place to live is worth a couple of bucks, no?

If you’re planning to vacate at the end of your lease be sure to give property management plenty of notice. In some places 30 days is required, in others 60 or more. Whatever the case may be, let your landlord know your plans as early as you can so that he or she can begin the process of finding a new tenant.

Finding new tenants is a pain for any landlord, so when you vacate your apartment at the end of your lease see if you can help find a new one. If you make your landlord’s life easier he or she may forgive a couple of minor infractions.

No matter what the situation, always be polite and remain calm. Hot tempers get everyone into trouble, so even if you feel something is unfair, deal with it in a calm and reasonable manner. Sometimes a respectful conversation is enough to solve a problem and avoid further conflict down the road.