The landlord tenant relationship is not a static one. It changes tremendously depending on many factors that affect the life and career of both landlord and tenant. While there are ups and downs and challenges and smooth periods over time, sometimes the landlord tenant relationship deteriorates because the renter isn't pulling his/her weight. It's not that the tenant is a bad person or even a bad tenant. Sometimes, life happens and a tenant is struggling to keep up with his/her responsibilities in the landlord/tenant relationship.
Before the relationship sours to the point that it becomes difficult if not impossible to salvage the tenancy arrangement, it's important - as a tenant - that you recognize the signals your landlord is sending you. Often the signs of tension are obvious. However, it's important to realize that a landlord wants to do everything possible to keep the partnership a positive one. Landlords will demonstrate flexibility and leeway to pick up the slack in the relationship... but only to a certain point. Overusing and abusing a good landlord's kindness can have disastrous consequences. Why? Because a landlord may feel personally offended or betrayed if taken advantage of consistently (especially if they feel they've been overly kind and tolerant over a conflicting issue). No one wants to feel stupid or that the wool is being pulled over their eyes. Landlords are no different and often interpret problems as a sign of indifference, lack or respect, or outright hostility on the part of the tenant.
So how do we avoid conflicts? The first step to rectifying the problem and getting back in the good books with your landlord is to recognize these Top 5 signs and actions your landlord is actively taking to "reform" you and the relationship:
SIGN #5 - Landlord to Tenant! Landlord To Tenant!
Communication is essential in the landlord/tenant relationship. If you're a good tenant, you'll probably hear less from your landlord. However, if suddenly your landlord is talking to you more often and finding ways to communicate with you more regularly, that's a sign you need to take notice. Landlords may bring up late rent, cleanliness, noise, or other issues more frequently with probing questions or friendly engagements. Take the hint!
SIGN #4 - Checking The Fine Print
Dust off your copy of the lease! Your landlord may be reviewing clauses of the lease with you or reminding you of certain aspects of the lease. When a landlord refers to the lease documentation, that's a sure sign that your landlord has some serious concerns that you're not holding up your end of the bargain. Referencing a lease is sort of like the final step in getting across a suggested corrective action. A landlord can hint, ask, remind, send a letter, etc. about an issue, but when he/she references the lease, it's sort of like the last step before uglier action (tribunal, courts, collection agency, etc.).
SIGN #3 - Honeymoon Is Over! Enforcement Begins.
The requests to keep noise down have stopped. The reminders to pay rent on time have grown silent. The hints about fixing that damage you caused are barely heard. When your landlord starts issuing more than letters and warnings, but actual fines, or tangible steps to lease enforcement, this is a sure fire sign that it's time to take the issue seriously. Landlords are often reluctant to enforce their own rules and lease clauses because they don't want to alienate their tenants and want to continue to give them the benefit-of-the-doubt. When it gets to the enforcement phase, the landlord has overcome their reluctance and feels no other choice but to pursue a resolution.
SIGN#2 - Atten... TION! Inspection time.
The landlord you barely saw once a year is now around all the time. Maybe you see him/her around the property a lot more frequently or you're getting more regular notices that the landlord wishes to enter your unit for a fire inspection or to perform general maintenance or any other reason. An increased presence from your landlord is a definite sign that your landlord is checking in with your or your rental unit. Have you been keeping your place neat and tidy? Have you been cranking the heating or AC up when your landlord pays for utilities? Is there damage to your unit which you need to get fixed?
SIGN #1 - Abrupt Rule or Policy Change
Remember how you could always smoke outside the front door? Or how you were leaving your garbage bin or bike in the hallway? If your landlord abruptly changes the rules and suddenly you cannot do the things you used to be able to do, it's most likely the actions you were taking were just being tolerated rather than accepted. And now that era of 'tolerance' is over. Maybe there's been complaints, or maybe fire code or other laws are in affect that forced the landlord change the policy in your rental property. Or maybe the landlord has other reasons or cause to change the rules or policy. Whatever the reason, it's a sign that you need to adhere to the new rules and demonstrate a good faith awareness of the value of the landlord/tenant relationship.
And there you have the Top 5 Signs that your landlord needs you to step up and change some bad habits to become the model tenant you know you can be!
