When you’re a renter, having a good landlord and a good relationship with that landlord can make a big difference in your life. Especially if you’ve had a negative relationship with a landlord before, you know how much better it is to either work through this and get to a good place. So if you’re having problems with your current landlord but you don’t want to have to move, here are three things that you can do to deal with these issues in a positive way.
Check Your Lease
For many people who are having issues with the landlord, one of the biggest problems can come because their landlord isn’t doing what they say they will or what they should do.
If this is the situation that you’re finding yourself in, one of the first things that you should do is take a look at your lease. Within your lease, it should outline both what you are responsible for and what your landlord is responsible for. And just like how you sometimes forget what’s stated in this document, your landlord can forget, too. So if you notice that it clearly states something like that your landlord will take care of maintenance or other items, reminding them of this by showing them in the lease can be a good way to get the ball rolling.
Get Your Requests In Writing
When you do make requests of your landlord about anything, something that can be helpful to you is to get all of these requests in writing. Within these requests, make sure you reference in your lease where it states that your landlord should be taking care of this action.
By keeping a record of the requests that you make, you’ll be able to prove to a lawyer or others that you’ve done everything that you can to get this matter taken care of. Then, if you take further action like withholding rent or deducting the cost from your rent when you take care of things on your own, you can have something tangible to justify your actions.
Learn What Your Rights Are
Before you take any more drastic measures, something that can be helpful to you is to learn what your rights are as a renter. While you may not be able to do much, you still do have rights to live in a safe place.
If you’re unsure about what your rights are, you should do some research specific to the state that you live in, as these rights and procedures will vary based on where you live. But once you know what cards you have to play as a tenant, you can better maneuver the situation.
If you’re someone who’s having issues with the landlord, consider using the tips mentioned above to help you know what some of your options are.