5 Simple Tips for Living Next to Landlord

Everyone’s experience with their landlords is different. Some have a pleasant experience, others have awkward conversations and interactions. For the most part, you mind your business and they mind theirs unless there is a problem. But what if your landlord was also your neighbor? How do you handle that situation? Having your landlord be that close can be extremely uncomfortable, and knowing how live like that is essential. Don't worry, Multifamily Leasing Technology is here to help.

Establish Boundaries

Setting boundaries is important in any tenant/landlord scenario, but in this particular instance, it is essential. In order to live comfortably, you both need to set clear boundaries. For example, you shouldn’t bother them all the time, and they shouldn’t bother you. Act like you live across town from each other. Treat it like a typical tenant/landlord relationship. Just as you don’t bother them, they shouldn’t bother you. Treat each other with respect and respect personal space.

Discuss Methods of Contact

You wouldn’t drive to your landlord’s house to report an issue. Don’t do it in this situation either. Ask them how they prefer to be contacted. Whether it’s texting, email, or phone, establishing specific contact methods is ideal. For business related reasons, you should never contact your landlord any other way unless there is an emergency. It is also important to establish what exactly your landlord considers an emergency.

Compartmentalize

The type of relationship with your landlord is very different than the type of relationship you have with your neighbor. Having these two combine can be very strange. But, despite the fact that the landlord is your neighbor, you should not necessarily treat them any differently. Keep in mind that your relationship with your landlord is strictly business. You pay them in return for living amenities. It is best to keep neighbor and landlord separate. When it comes to repairs or financial matters, keep emotions out of the mix and keep in mind that this is a business interaction, not a neighborly one.

Understand You Can't Hide Anything

Transparency is a big part of this arrangement. You won’t be able to sneak in an extra roommate or a pet without the landlord knowing. You, as a tenant, will be held to a slightly higher standard since the owner can see how you treat the house/apartment every day. On the other hand, the landlord should make updates and improvements on a more regular basis, and, when repairs are needed, they should be fixed much faster.

Adapt and Speak Up

It takes a lot of responsibility and maturity to live next to your landlord. You have to be responsible enough to pay your rent on time, and the landlord must be able to watch you cause regular wear and tear on their home. Everyone has to be able to realize when it’s time for a tenant/landlord discussion and when it’s time for a neighborly one. Both you and the landlord have to understand that these discussions come with different levels of authority and power. In a neighbor dispute, you are equals, and for a tenant/landlord dispute, it is a more vertical relationship between a creditor and a consumer.

Be sure to check out Multifamily Leasing Technology for more useful advice.