Establishing a good rapport with your Hialeah landlord can make your life easier. But is it a good idea to make your landlord your friend? If you are considering renting from a friend or starting a friendship with your present landlord, there are some things to bear in mind. Landlord-tenant friendships can work, but it does take effort. It is always best to proceed with caution and follow these simple guidelines to protect both your rental relationship and your personal one.
Document Everything
The days of doing business with a handshake are long gone. If you are going to rent your friend’s property, make sure you are given a lease detailing all your rights and responsibilities. Have all elements –everything– documented in the lease. This documentation of what the landlord expects from you will protect you should circumstances change. It will also establish accountability between you and your landlord.
Separate Business and Pleasure
Friendships come in varied forms, so make sure you set boundaries with your landlord for your social time and landlord-tenant interactions. Keep rental home-related issues away from social settings, and bear in mind that being friends with the landlord does not mean all your requests will be granted. Special treatment like this will surely cause problems between you, your landlord, and other tenants or roommates. Friends are friends, but being a landlord is your friend’s business, so keep it professional.
Set Boundaries
Separating your business and personal relationships is a way to set good boundaries with your friendly landlord. Your landlord might feel a certain degree of closeness with you and feel that, as a friend, it is ok for them to invite themselves into your home and possessions. However, doing so can usually cross the line between being a landlord and taking advantage of a friend. Once your landlord crosses one boundary, he is likely to overstep in other ways. It is up to you to end these unwelcome behaviors as soon as possible. Healthy boundaries will help keep a positive relationship with your landlord.
Anticipate Awkwardness
As your friendship with your landlord progresses, you become more comfortable talking to them. However, like everything else, these conversations can get awkward when you find yourself discussing other tenants or even facets of your landlord’s business that are not relevant to your rental situation. If you have a landlord who spends a lot of time on the property, you might feel pressured to involve them in your social events. This is a problem especially if your landlord shows hurt feelings every time he is not included in the social activities in your rental home. Even if would be awkward, it is important that you should talk to your landlord and make it clear that your friendship does not come with obligations to include them in everything. Also, do not expect an invitation to all of their social gatherings. Neither of you will benefit from blurring the lines of your relationship.
By now, you see the challenges and possible pitfalls that can arise from becoming close friends with your landlord or renting from a friend. To keep your friendship intact and free from complications, your best option would be to remain polite but professional with your landlord.
Are you looking for a Hialeah rental house managed by true professionals? Then think about getting to know our Hialeah property management team! Contact us online or call us at 305-501-1511.
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