Try to play nice

Being a good renter is not necessarily an inherent trait. When renting or leasing a living space for the first couple of times, it can take practice to make sure you leave the property with a solid reference for the future.

Building a mutually beneficial relationship with the owner or manager of your residence can mean the difference between a comfortable living environment and a tortuous one.
Follow these guidelines and you’ll please the person who can help you the most.

Be honest
Starting at the first moment of contact—from the initial phone call to filling out the application to checking your references—save everyone time and energy by being forthright about your situation. A competent landlord will check every detail you supply and ask for clarification if your information is incomplete. These folks have probably shown hundreds, if not thousands, of apartments and houses to myriad interested parties. A nose for sniffing out any embellishments or outright lies is a prerequisite for such a job. An agent wants to get the space rented, but will resent being misled and will stop helping you immediately if that happens. Even if you do not have the qualifications for a specific property, know that these professionals are an inside line on up-to-the-moment information, and can connect you to another company, individual or building that may be a fit.

Be timely
Since you expect your landlord to respond to you in a timely fashion, be sure to do the same. You’d like your property management company, for example, to give you plenty of notice if they need to inspect your home. Return the favor by giving ample time for fixing small repair issues before they become large. If you have trouble paying rent on time, call as soon as you know, not at the last minute. With time, a reasonable solution can usually be reached.

Be reasonable
Realize the limitations of renting. If you reside in a large apartment complex with neighbors above, below and on both sides, hearing people living their lives next to yours will be a reality for you. If noise is a particular issue for you, be picky when you’re searching, not after you’ve moved in. Don’t expect your property manager to do a back flip every time you call with a concern. Because you’re not the only client, responses must match the level of concern. Be sure to give plenty of details about a problem so that they can respond accordingly.

The Golden Rule
Treat your landlord the way you want to be treated. Being considerate will go a long way toward building a good relationship. If you totally lose your temper with your landlord, chances are they will approach the next problem warily, so try not to go there unless absolutely necessary. If you do, don’t be afraid to apologize when it is all over.

Communicate, especially to express your gratitude
Keeping your property manager informed keeps lines of communication—and goodwill—open. If you’re having out of town guests or a party, let your manager know. Chances are, he or she will appreciate you taking the initiative, and will have suggestions to help make things easier, not harder, for all involved. Your landlord may, on occasion, go above and beyond the call of duty to make you happy. If you wake him or her up in the middle of the night, because you’ve lost your keys to a drunken, incarcerated friend, demonstrate extreme appreciation towards your landlord. Acknowledging such gifts of time and energy is wise, and makes it more likely that you’ll be on the receiving end in the future. A small card is nice, but flowers are better, especially in an extreme situation. Don’t even think of money.