Good tenants are in high demand. If you’re looking for ways to stand out as a desirable resident when you’re seeking or settling into a Lakewood rental home, we have some tips for you. Establishing yourself as a reliable, responsible tenant will help you have a better rental experience and allow you to work well with your landlord or management company.
Review Your Lease Agreement and Ask Questions
The rental lease agreement will be the first place you turn when you have a question or you want to check whether something is your responsibility or your landlord’s. Make sure you read through it carefully. It’s probably long and detailed, but that’s for your own protection. Check out specific parts of the lease that will apply to you, such as the rules and the rent collection policy. If you have a pet, make sure you’re familiar with the pet policy.
If you have any questions about what you’re signing, make sure you ask. You want to be clear about the expectations and responsibilities before you move into a new home.
Communicate Respectfully and Openly
Good tenants are excellent communicators. If you need help with something related to the property or the community, speak up. If you moved in without any pets but you’d like to adopt a dog, talk to your landlord before doing it. It’s always better to talk things out. Be responsive and accessible you’re your landlord needs to get in touch with you. Good communication leads to good rental experiences.
Pay Rent on Time
Your first responsibility as a good tenant is to pay rent on time every month. You don’t want to field phone calls from your landlord asking when it will be paid. Make sure your payment will clear on the date that it’s due. Check your lease for any late fees or grace periods. If you’re going to be a day or two late or you had a financial emergency and you need a little more time - reach out to your landlord immediately. Don’t avoid their calls and questions.
Keep Your Home Clean and Maintained
Everyone has different standards of cleanliness, but you shouldn’t allow trash to pile up in your home or deterioration to set in. Make sure you’re taking good care of the property. Good tenants will respect their home and take pride in how it looks.
Request Repairs Quickly
While you may think your landlord doesn’t want to be bothered with maintenance requests, it’s actually much better for them and for you when you report maintenance issues as soon as they occur. Don’t put this off. If something is leaking or dripping or malfunctioning, submit a maintenance request. Make sure you know how to reach your landlord if there’s an emergency and be flexible about repair people coming to take care of the issue.
These are just some of the ways you can be a good tenant. When you’re looking for a new rental home, please consider working with us and contact us at Assured Management. We provide Lakewood property management in West Denver and the surrounding areas, including Littleton, Golden, Wheat Ridge, Arvada, and more.
