Living in a rental property affords convenience and flexibility to tenants, but also places on them legal and societal accountability. Taking care not to cause damage to a rental property is an obvious responsibility associated with renting a home, but making the extra effort to be a great tenant requires more. Establishing yourself as a model tenant involves meeting the obligations outlined in your lease agreement while maintaining a courteous approach to living in close quarters with your neighbors. The following tips are designed to help you establish a positive reputation and relationship with management and other residents of your apartment community:

-Remember: the lease is King. The lease you enter into is a contractual agreement between yourself and the management company or landlord of the property. Your lease dictates the specific terms to which you are accountable, so it is important to have a thorough understanding of its requirements. Being a good tenant means abiding by the terms of the lease in every way throughout your residency.

-Be courteous to neighbors. Even if your lease does not contain a provision about noise, it is a good idea to be conscious of how your actions may affect others in your apartment community environment. If you would not appreciate your upstairs neighbor hosting an all night soiree in his unit, it is best to refrain from participating in such behavior yourself. If you are inconsiderate of those around you, someone may file a complaint against you and mar your reputation with the landlord or manager. By being respectful of your neighbors, you will build a good name with the landlord and enjoy the respect of your neighbors in return.

-Leave no room for ambiguity. It is generally considered wise practice to put repair requests and other correspondence with management in writing. Your lease may even stipulate that you do so. Having a dated record of all correspondence between yourself and the landlord or management can protect your interests in the event that there is a misunderstanding or simple oversight. Maintaining proof of communication can be particularly beneficial if your property guarantees that repairs will be made within a designated timeframe, such as 24 hours. Besides safeguarding against discrepancies, making requests in writing may just earn you quicker service from a manager or landlord who knows he or she has an obligation to respond to your request.

-Pay rent on time, every time. Not only does paying rent on time each month go hand in hand with adhering to the terms of your lease, it shows your competence and contributes to your reputation as a dependable tenant. Failing to pay rent on time each month can leave your landlord with a negative perception of your competence as a tenant, which may contribute to an overall bad impression. If you have a reliable track record of paying on time each month, you will portray yourself as a model tenant and instill a positive impression, not to mention avoid consequences such as late fees or eviction. In the event that an uncontrollable circumstance does cause a delay in your rent payment, discuss the situation with your landlord or manager before the date rent is due. Having a perfect track record of paying on time will increase the chance that your landlord will work to accommodate you should adverse circumstances arise.

Being a respectful, courteous tenant may not only help you stay on good terms with your landlord or apartment manager, it speaks volumes of your character to your neighbors. Fellow tenants will appreciate your efforts to be a respectful and polite neighbor, and you may even make some new friends in the process.