As a renter in Rolling Meadows, possessing a good relationship with your landlord can definitely make life a whole lot easier. Although what about being friends with your landlord? Whether you are seriously considering renting from a friend or developing a friendship with your current landlord, there are essential things to actually consider. Landlord-tenant friendships can work, but it does take effort. It’s a great idea to proceed carefully and comply with some simple guidelines to make certain that your rental relationship doesn’t destroy your personal one.
Document Everything
The days of doing business with a handshake are long gone. If you opt to rent a house from a friend, make it a point that you have a detailed lease that thoroughly and clearly explains your rights and responsibilities. If there are elements of your agreement that aren’t in the lease, document everything. Not only will good documentation of your landlord’s expectations protect you should circumstances change, but to be sure, it will help hold both you and your landlord accountable.
Separate Business and Pleasure
Friendships come in countless styles and forms, so providing on how close you and your landlord become, you may entail laying quite a few clear boundaries between your landlord-tenant interactions and your social time together. Avoid discussing issues related to the rental home in social settings, and never forget that just because you’re friends doesn’t mean your landlord is available to jump at every request you make. If you expect special treatment, this could bring on problematic concerns between you and your landlord and between you and your other roommates (if any). Although you are friends, bear in mind that being a landlord is your friend’s business, and keep it professional.
Set Boundaries
Along with keeping your business and personal relationships separate, it’s critical to set good boundaries with your friendly landlord in other areas, likewise. Your landlord might feel that it’s completely fine to invite themselves into your home or possessions the same way a close friend might. But doing so can frequently cross a very important line between being a landlord and taking advantage of a friend. When a landlord starts crossing one boundary, the eventualities are high that they will overstep in many other ways, likewise. It’s up to you to make sure that doesn’t come up by nipping unwelcome behaviors in the bud. Setting good boundaries can indeed help keep your relationship with your landlord from going sour.
Anticipate Awkwardness
A friendship with your landlord can assist you to feel more comfortable talking to them regularly. But certainly, like with all other stuff, those conversations can get awkward if you know you are discussing other tenants or aspects of the landlord’s business that are not directly related to your rental situation. If your landlord lives nearby or spends too much time on the property, you may certainly be pressured to engage in constant conversation or even to invite them to every social event you have. If your landlord expresses hurt feelings for not being involved in every social activity you hold in your rental home, you may have a real concern. While, indeed, it may be awkward, it’s significant to talk to your landlord and make it clear that your friendship does not create an obligation to include them in everything you do. On the flip side, try not to assume that your landlord will include you in all their activities or social gatherings. Neither of you will be benefitted from blurring the lines of your relationship.
As you can very well see, becoming friends with your landlord or renting from a friend can present many challenges and potential pitfalls. If you’d really want to avoid the possibility of ruining a good friendship altogether, your most ideal action may be to keep things polite but professional with your landlord.
Are you looking for a Rolling Meadows rental house managed by true professionals? Then think about getting to know our Rolling Meadows property management team! Contact us online or call us at 847-892-4040.
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