How To Be a Good Tenant and Build Up a Rental History
- Be honest in your application.
- Know your budget and what you can afford for a monthly rental payment.
- Read the lease and understand it. Ask for help if needed.
- Document damages and pictures of damages on move in day. Share with your landlord and retain a copy for yourself.
- Do not break the terms of your lease.
- Pay your rent on time.
- Respect your neighbors and rules on noise, loud pets, and etc.
- Get renter’s insurance. It is usually inexpensive.
- On move-in day, make sure to document and take pictures of any damage in your rental. Save and file this information.
- Treat your apartment like it’s your own.
- Keep your apartment clean on a day-to-day basis.
- Clean up after your pets in the rental and yard.
- Do not damage the rental. Be selective who you invite to your apartment, you are responsible for the damages they cause in your apartment.
- Contact your landlord about repairs and maintenance needs right away in writing. If you call, follow up the call with a text, email, or letter and keep a copy for your records.
- Keep the submitted requests in a file online in your email, iCloud, Google Drive, etc. or in a safe place in your apartment.
- Don’t let someone live with you who is not on the lease. This is a violation of your lease and could cause you to be asked to leave or be evicted.
- Renew your lease every year if you are wanting to stay in your apartment.
- If you have a question – ask your landlord first, example if want to paint the walls, put in a flowerbed in the yard, etc.
- Be friendly, respectful, and honest in your interactions with neighbors, landlord, and others on the premises.
- Communicate openly and directly.
- Move-out on time.