Why should you care about having a positive, business relationship with your landlord? There are a lot of benefits. Tenants who are respected by their landlords have more credibility when they make a request, register a complaint, or negotiate a late rent payment. Landlords want to keep good tenants. Good tenants can count on good references for future renting or home ownership.

• They want renters who pay their rent on time, every month. Landlords have bills to pay for the property's costs. If the rent will be late, tenants should inform the landlord in advance of the problem and propose a payment plan. Renters can expect to pay late fees as stated in the lease.
• They want renters to keep the rental property reasonably clean. If damage occurs, talk to the landlord right away. Explain and offer a plan for paying or repairing the damage. Ignoring or hiding the damage doesn't work in the long run.
• They expect lawful behavior of renters and all of their guests. Landlords are under pressure from communities to make sure tenants do not break laws about drugs, noise, litter, etc. If police are called to a property a number of times due to unlawful activities this could be basis for eviction of the renter.
• They ask renters to be respectful of other renters. Noise is a common complaint among neighbors. Parents are responsible for controlling children's behavior in public areas.
• Landlords dislike getting in the middle of quarrels. When tenants can't solve their own problems peacefully, a landlord may react by deciding someone has to move out. That someone might be you.

It is in both the tenant's and landlord's best interests to keep a healthy business relationship. Keep communication open. Most problems can be solved. Once a good relationship is established, both sides are more likely to see each other's point of view, and problems can be prevented.

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