When you move into off-campus housing, your landlord can play a huge role in your living experience than you may expect. From handling repairs to addressing concerns, a good relationship with your landlord can make renting smooth and stress-free. Building this positive connection does not take much effort, but it requires effective communication, mutual respect, and some common sense.
A great first step is starting off on the right foot. When you first sign your lease and move in, take the effort to introduce yourself. A friendly and professional tone lets your landlord know that you are approachable and responsible. This is also a good time to establish and clarify expectations, like what is the best method to report maintenance issues, what are some additional rules not outlined in the lease agreement, and any other details about the property. Knowing what is expected from both ends prevents misunderstandings down the road. When my housemates and I first signed the lease, we made sure to have a group chat with all seven of us plus our landlord, to ensure successful communication, and ensured that everyone was in the loop of key details. This helped us show responsibility to our landlord, helping her gain trust towards us.
Once you have settled in, maintaining this open and clear communication is key. If there are any instances where something breaks or needs a repair, it is important to let your landlord know as soon as possible. This demonstrates responsibility, and landlords would appreciate this prompt communication to avoid issues escalating further. For instance, in our second-year home, we maintained a good relationship with our landlord throughout the year, with effective communication. During the month of April, we had a scenario where there were mice in our basement, and they had no problem having someone come in and take care of it for us, as they knew we were stressed students during exam season.
Moreover, it is important to respect the property as well. Treating a rental property like your own home, such as keeping it clean, avoiding unnecessary damage, and following all agreed-upon rules, can show your landlord you are a reliable tenant and make them willing to provide a good reference if needed in the future when you sign other properties. This also involves being considerate of your neighbours, as landlords may be notified of complaints of noise or disruptions from them that can put a bad reputation on you. Luckily in our scenario, we had an elderly couple live next to us. We were always respectful of noise and guests, especially late at night, so they never complained against us. Instead, we actually kept a good relationship with them and they shovelled our driveway and walkway for us in the Winter, which we were very fortunate for!
Furthermore, it is important to be polite and be respectful to your landlord. Even if problems arise or you have disagreements, addressing these issues calmly and professionally can make a huge difference in how they deal with it or perceive you. For example, in my house in second year, our landlord lived far away, in the United States. When we had a serious problem with our heating and air conditioning during the cold month of December, we were able to have her arrange for her husband to come the next day to help fix this issue. This was due to her saying we were very responsible and respectful tenants, so she was more willing to provide us assistance promptly.
At the end of the day, a good relationship with your landlord is a two-way street. By communicating effectively, respecting the property, and being a responsible tenant, you will build trust and make your renting experience enjoyable. There are many stressors that can arise as a university student, and your living experience and relationship with your landlord should not be one of them. By taking the time to be respectful and polite and creating this good relationship, your landlord will reciprocate this respect back, and even better, probably increase your odds of getting your full deposits back without any trouble!