You’ve leased an apartment, moved in, and signed the lease. Now you need to make sure that management doesn’t have you on their “trouble tenants” list. Here are five rules never to break, which will keep you out of trouble and help you have a good relationship with your landlord and your neighbors.
#1: Don’t be late on paying your rent
There’s no faster way to get in trouble than being late on your rent. A lot of bad things can happen when you fail to pay in a timely manner, according to the terms of your lease. Your credit rating is hurt, the management can charge you late fees, and – over time – you can even put yourself at risk of eviction. Your history will follow you, too, when the next management company calls for a referral your past landlord won’t recommend you. Pay your rent on time.
Related: Easy tips for paying your rent on time
#2: Don’t let your dog attack
Want to scare or irritate your neighbors and have them call the manager to complain about you? Allowing your dog to attack another resident, someone’s guest, or another pet is a surefire way to get in big trouble. You could wind up having to choose between your apartment and your dog.
#3: Don’t disturb the peace
If you’re incredibly noisy late at night, early in the morning or on weekends, you’re bound to get complaints. No one wants to try to fall asleep to loud music, fighting, raucous parties, hammering, or barking dogs.
Related: Best apartment dogs by breed
#4: Don’t create eyesores
If your ride is broken down, that doesn’t mean it’s a good idea to let it sit in the parking lot, accumulating pollen, dirt, bugs and bird dropping for a year. Nor is it a good idea to hang your laundry over a rail or fence, or to leave a collection of dog poo in the grass near your apartment.
See also: When neighbors don’t clean up after their dogs
#5: Don’t offer short-term rentals
Yes, you could make some extra money renting out your place to strangers, but your lease almost assuredly says this is against the rules. Your neighbors will notice the constant suitcases and strangers, and they’ll tell the manager. Then your troubles will begin, offsetting the extra income by far.
Follow these five rules instead of breaking them, and you’re on your way to a smooth lease period in your apartment. You’ll also have a chance to make friends with the neighbors, instead of being the renter everyone is angry with.