How to be the Perfect Tenant for your Landlord

With so many people now renting their homes rather than buying, it pays to have a good relationship with the person you’re renting your property from. We’ve asked 5 Star rated Landlord Insurance provider Just Landlords for their top tips on what makes a perfect tenant.

 

Many reports claim how unstable, insecure and sometimes unsuitable renting can be for people. But renting a property can be a great solution to somebody who’s unable to get onto the housing ladder or who wants more flexibility in their life. And while it’s a landlord’s job to protect their tenants and provide a safe, secure and comfortable home, renters can also make the process more plain sailing…

 

Here’s how you can be the perfect tenant for your landlord and have a successful renting experience:

 

 

It all comes down to basics at the end of the day. If you’re friendly, responsible, trustworthy, reliable and approachable, your landlord will be more inclined to treat you in the same way. If you’re not all of those things, you may find that you have clashes with your landlord or it becomes harder to communicate, which can have an adverse effect on your housing situation – if you’re difficult to deal with, your landlord may be less likely to renew your tenancy, for example. 

 

Simply being polite when communicating with your landlord and reliable when it comes to your responsibilities should ensure that you get the same treatment in return, which makes for a much more pleasant lettings journey for all.

 

 

It’s that same old cliché, but good and clear communication really is important with your landlord. Always be open with them and keep everything you’ve said on record – this way, you’ll have evidence if a dispute ever does arise. Just Landlords recommends following up every phone call or face-to-face meeting with an email, just so that you have proof of what was said and when. 

 

If you have a good relationship with your landlord, it should make it easier to speak with them about your requirements and requests, which could make the whole renting experience a bit more enjoyable for you.

 

 

 

The tenancy agreement is there for a reason – it outlines everything your landlord must do and everything you must do as the perfect tenant in return. When you sign that contract, you are pledging to stick to your side of the agreement, so make sure that you do. If you comply with all of your responsibilities and you can prove it, your landlord cannot raise a successful dispute against you.

 

Not only this, but your landlord will also be grateful that you’ve protected their property and have been the model tenant, which will make them more likely to renew your tenancy again at a good price.

 

 

 

As a tenant, it’s not only you that has duties to fulfil – the property owner also has responsibilities regarding your health and safety and the security of the property. If you want to get repairs completed quickly, raise issues with your landlord or get some maintenance finished, you need to give your landlord or their letting agent access to the property. 

 

Remember that you have the right to quiet enjoyment of your rental home, but your landlord will use denial of access to the property as evidence as to why repairs weren’t completed in the event of a dispute.

 

 

With so many people living in their rental homes for years now, the private rental sector is increasingly becoming a permanent source of housing. For this reason, it pays for you to treat your rental property as if it’s your own home and look after it. Although you may be restricted on decorating or owning pets, the more you look after the property, the more likely your landlord will be lenient.

 

While your landlord has a duty to keep the property in a good state of repair, you are essentially the one that’s living there, so it’s your responsibility to look after it on a daily basis. Your landlord will thank you if you do!

 

 

Being a perfect tenant isn’t rocket science, but it is important to understand your duties and always show respect when communicating with your landlord. These simple steps will make the whole renting process easier and more enjoyable for everyone involved – and they won’t cost you a penny!