Most renters know that paying the rent on time and following the lease will keep them out of hot water, but what does it really take to have a great relationship with your property manager?

The answers may surprise you.

The Ideal Tenant

When property managers interview prospective tenants, they’re looking for job stability and steady income first and foremost, but their wish list goes beyond that.

The quality property managers value most is stability. An ideal tenant is one who will stay in the home for years to come, raise a family, create memories and treat the home like their own. Property managers also like to see that you are good at managing your finances. Having a few months worth of rental payments in the bank is very helpful.

Maintenance & Repairs

Once you have moved in, try to treat the home like you own it. Keep everything clean, well maintained and in good, working order. Many times renters aren’t familiar with the cost of home improvements, so something as simple as not watering the lawn and causing the grass to die can result in thousands of dollars to the homeowner to replace the sod once the renter moves out. Take care of landscaping, clean up spills as soon as they happen and keep children and pets from causing any damage to the walls or flooring, and your property manager will thank you for it.

Always Ask First

After you have lived in a rental for a while, your tastes—or your life—may change. You may decide on a new puppy, or you may want to repaint the kitchen to match your tastes. Before you make any of those changes, ask your property manager if they are allowed. Often, these changes if approved require an addendum to your lease, but your property manager will advise accordingly.

Calling In A Maintenance Request

When it comes to making maintenance requests, be careful when and how you contact your property manager. A tenant should know how to do simple repairs around the property and understand the property manager cannot always be at their beck and call or send a $100 repair guy to change a light bulb. If you have to call to request a repair, make sure you explain the problem thoroughly and be willing to let your property manager troubleshoot issues with you over the phone. If you can save your property manager a bit of time (or money) you will build a great relationship.

See Things From Your Property Manager’s Point of View

Ultimately, property managers want tenants to understand that they are just regular people with jobs and bills and not faceless, emotionless corporations with huge bank accounts. Understanding that your landlord is just another human being who struggles to manage time and money just like you do will go a long way in building a relationship.