If you’re a renter, or are planning on renting in the future, you’ll need to deal with a landlord. Though there are many different types of rental situations, there a few ways to deal with landlords that’ll almost always apply.
Be Adamant
When my wife and I moved into our first place together, we settled on a small one-bedroom apartment. The complex was a run-of-the-mill operation with cheap rent. Getting in touch with the maintenance man was fairly easy, and most problems were solved quickly.
At our new townhouse, things work a bit differently. Upon arrival, we found out that the owner had accrued late charges on past-due. In addition, the water heater needed to be cleaned and the fridge repaired. It wasn’t exactly what we were expecting. The landlord was supposed to be the owner, but she thought the real estate agent would be able to take care of things. We had to be quite adamant with the agent and the landlord to ensure every problem was solved. After a while, we got everything sorted out and back to normal.
When you have an issue at your rental unit, you need to pursue a solution. It’s in your best interest (and is your legal right) to have problems fixed. If your landlord is being difficult, present the lease showing their responsibilities. If they fail to hold up their end of the contract, you may need to pursue legal action.
Be friendly
This may sound contradictory to the first point, but it’s not. Being adamant doesn’t have to mean being angry. Getting on the good side of your landlord will help ensure that all goes smoothly. A few friendly words can go a long way in making sure you both get what you want.
My wife and I have been in contact with our landlord often to fix all of the problems listed above. By being friendly and understanding, we’ve been able to get everything taken care of. If we’d been difficult, she may have responded differently and not wanted to help us out as quickly.
Be legal
Read your lease and understand what it says. If you don’t know what some of it means, have someone with a legal background explain it to you. By understanding your lease, you’ll know what your rights are. Leases usually have a section covering everything from broken appliances to breaking a lease.
A lease is a legally binding contract between you and your landlord. Understand your rights and get problems taken care of soon after they arise.
Be a good renter
Overall, just being a good renter is essential in dealing with your landlord. Be respectful of their property and their time. By establishing a good relationship with your landlord, you’ll be able to fix problems quickly and live happily in your unit.
