Sometimes, communicating with others can be hard. It’s already difficult enough with friends, family, and significant others, but with people who are complete strangers, it often feels close to impossible. For students who rent apartments and homes, communicating with their landlord can seem downright hopeless. Although it might take patience and hard work, it is possible to connect with your landlord. Read through the tips below to improve your landlord/tenant relationship!
1. Ask the right questions – With any relationship, it’s important to start off on the right foot. Get off to a good beginning with your landlord by asking questions before signing the lease. Discussions on who is taking care of the lawn, whether pets and overnight guests are allowed, and what happens if something breaks should occur before the lease is signed to avoid future disagreements and conflicts. Of course, it is likely that situations will arise that need to be discussed, and that questions will come up after you’ve moved in. In this case, you should talk with your landlord as soon as possible about your concerns. If you bring up potential problems and questions in a timely manner, your landlord will likely be more receptive to your concerns.
Attribution: The Huffington Post
2. Treat your place with respect – This one should go without saying, but make sure that you are taking care of your rental. Although it may be your home, you don’t own it, and you aren’t the one who likely will have to pay to get things fixed. Obviously, normal wear and tear will happen, and sometimes things break unexpectedly, but try and make sure that you are keeping your place and any furniture that comes with it relatively clean and in good working order. For example, if your rental comes with a dishwasher or laundry machine, make sure that you are using the right kind of detergent for the machine. This won’t only make your landlord happy, but it will also save you aggravation and time by preventing breakdowns.
3. Use manners and proper texting etiquette – When speaking with your landlord, remember that you want them to take you seriously and treat you with respect. In order for that to happen, try to use manners, and make sure you aren’t looking at your phone while having a discussion. Additionally, when communicating via text or email, use proper texting etiquette. Keep in mind that you aren’t speaking with a friend, and shouldn’t use emojis or texting shorthand. To make it easier, pretend that you are communicating with a potential employer. Treating your landlord with politely will likely earn you respect.
4. Respect your landlord’s schedule – Something broke, and your landlord can’t fix it until the end of the week. While it may be tempting to give a snarky, impatient response, resist the urge, and instead ask if it would be possible to get the item repaired earlier. Explain to your landlord why you need the item fixed, and if they really can’t get there to do it before the end of the week, try to be patient. Obviously, things should be getting fixed in a timely manner, and you certainly have the right to complain if they aren’t, but try and keep in mind that landlords likely have other tenants who also need their attention, in addition to having their own lives to worry about. Often, landlords have day jobs unrelated to their rental business, and they may be unable to always get to you right away. A little patience will go a long way!
Attribution: Allstate Insurance
5. Remember your landlord is a person – At the end of the day, your landlord is human, just like you. While they may mess up sometimes, the vast majority of landlords are good people who are doing the best they can to help you. While it is important to have expectations, and be willing to speak up if those expectations are not met, make sure you are hearing your landlord out and trying to understand their point of view. By doing so, you are more likely to communicate successfully with your landlord, and you are proving yourself to be an excellent tenant.
Attribution: PadLink
6. Use PadLink – PadLink is designed to make off-campus living easy, and on our site, you can find tools to communicate with your landlord and your housemates! If you want to get in contact with your landlord, sending them a message through PadLink is one of the easiest ways to do so. Additionally, you can find other tips to help with off-campus living on our resources page.
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