Five Ways to Be an Amazing Tenant
Whether you’re renting a mid-term furnished or unfurnished rental for three months or one year, it’s important to maintain a respectful relationship with your landlord. Honesty, open communication and mutual respect can ensure a harmonious tenancy—and solid references—if you need to ask them to give you a good word in the future. Here, we share some tips for being a renter landlords love.
Read Your Lease
A lease is a written promise between you and your landlord, but it’s amazing how many tenants fail to read the document before signing. Be sure to read the paperwork thoroughly to ensure everything agreed to, including the monthly rent, whether any utilities are included, and special clauses such as whether pets are allowed and sublets are permitted, are outlined. Also, carefully read the section about the consequences for breaking the lease if you need to do so.
Pay Your Rent on Time
There is nothing a landlord loves more than a tenant who pays rent reliably month after month. This will build trust and confidence in you, and may give you some negotiation power if you need to ask for any favours or adjustments to the lease later on. Take care to ensure the full rent amount arrives in your landlord’s mailbox (if paying via cheque) or in their bank account (if using e-transfer or credit card payment) on or before the day rent is due.
Treat the Property Likes It’s Your Own
Just because you’re renting a suite instead of owning doesn’t mean you should be nonchalant about how you take care of it. Keep your home clean, take out the trash and recycling regularly, and keep both the interior and exterior spaces tidy. Landlords are required to alert you ahead of any site visits, but do yourself a favour and avoid any last-minute cleaning frenzies by being prepared and respecting the space as if it were your own. Also, be sure to alert your landlord immediately of any maintenance issues and wear and tear. They will appreciate knowing what parts of the home need to be updated and fixed.
Don’t Be a Nuisance
Minor issues such as lightbulbs that need changing, toilets that need unplugging and smoke alarm batteries that need replacing aren’t things you should bother your landlord with. Take care of these yourself and the property owner will be happy to do the larger repairs when (and if) the time comes.
Landlords are required to alert you ahead of any site visits, but do yourself a favour and avoid any last-minute cleaning frenzies by being prepared and respecting the space as if it were your own.
Respect the Lease
If the lease agreement states only two people are allowed to live in the unit and the landlord finds out you’ve decided to list the second bedroom to a small family via AirBnb, the situation won’t be pretty. Respect the lease terms when it comes to subletting, or don’t sign the document in the first place.
Follow these rules and your landlord/tenant relationship is bound to be a great one.
Are you a tenant looking for your next furnished or unfurnished listing for a mid-term stay? Browse listings in Vancouver, Toronto and Montreal at Uphaus.ca
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