The experienced lettings team at Keywest and the landlords we work with understand what tenants should expect from a rental property, and we work hard to ensure the highest possible standards. As a tenant, however, what are your responsibilities and why should you work equally as hard to be the best that you can be?

The Benefits of Being a Good Tenant

Being a good tenant and cultivating a good relationship with your letting agent, landlord and neighbours can be extremely beneficial. It can prevent problems from occurring and offer you added security in your tenancy by removing the risk of eviction as a result of your failings or behaviour.

Being a good tenant with also enable you to build up a good rental history, which will stand you in good stead for future tenancies. In contrast, a poor record will make landlords and letting agents less inclined to consider you as a tenant in other properties.

How to Be a Good Tenant

There are several things you should do if you want to be a good tenant.

• Understand and comply with your tenancy agreement. Ensure you fully read and understand the agreement that you sign at the beginning of your tenancy, and ensure that you manage your responsibilities effectively.
• If your agreement stimulates that you are responsible for certain outdoor spaces, such as keeping the garden tidy, make sure that you do this, as simply ‘forgetting’ or ‘not noticing’ it in the agreement is no defence.
• If there is anything in the agreement that you don’t understand or need to query, do not be afraid to ask questions and talk about the issues involved. It is much better to do this at the outset rather than facing problems later on.
• Pay on time. Always pay the agreed rent in full and on time if you want to maintain a reputation for being a good tenant. If you foresee any problems meeting your rental payments, inform your letting agent or landlord as soon as possible rather than ignoring the issue and allowing the problem to grow.
• Treat the property as you would your own. Remember that you will be expected to hand back the property in the same condition it was when you rented it out, with only fair wear and tear being considered acceptable.
• This will be possible if you treat your rental property as if it were your own and strive to keep it clean and as free from damage as possible.
• Report any issues that arise early, whether they are things that need repairing in order to prevent further damage to the property from occurring or admitting you have caused some accidental damage and showing a willingness to put matters right.
• Be considerate. Always consider the feelings of neighbours and try to be as polite as possible. Remember that you are also responsible for the behaviour of any visitors to your property, and so it important to encourage them to be considerate as well, as it will be you who will be held accountable for any bad behaviour at the address.