"Landlords are the hardest people to deal with, right? They're always asking for more money, they never clean up after themselves, and they make you feel like you're doing their job when really they should be paying you. But there's a better way to be a landlord: one that actually helps keep your tenants happy and comfortable in their rental units. Here's how: You have to be able to fulfill your obligations. It's important to be clear about what you will do and what you won't do. If you promise to fix something, don't wait until the last minute when tenants move out and then say ""oh well."" If tenants move out because they had no idea what was going on with their unit or it was an uncomfortable experience (or both), don't try to blame them for not reading your documents! If tenants moved in with promises of things being done but then those promises aren't met, apologize profusely and offer another chance at keeping them happy by fixing whatever problems that might arise during their stay so far. This is especially true if there were issues related specifically to how much time it took for certain repairs/upgrades--because this means some of these people may not be able to make rent even if everything else goes smoothly! Offer an easy move-out process. -Make sure you have a move-out checklist for the tenant to fill out and sign. -If your lease includes an early termination clause, make sure that your tenants know about it as well. -Give them a copy of the lease on their last day in order to make sure they don't forget anything--and also so that you can use it as a reference point when dealing with future landlords or buyers. Don't give tenants the runaround. The first thing you should know about tenants is that they are not always right. They may be unreasonable, but you can use this to your advantage by making it clear how long it will take for them to get their request fulfilled and providing a timeline for when it will happen. This way, when your tenant complains about having no hot water or heaps of festering garbage on his doorstep (which will happen), he'll think twice before being so vocal again in the future. - Keep your property as clean as possible. - Keep your property as clean and tidy as possible. - Make sure the garden is well maintained. - Make sure that the inside of your property is clean and tidy, including windows, walls, and floors (remember: tenants don't want to move into an environment that smells like rats!). - Keep an eye on how well neighbors keep their properties up-to-date with repairs or maintenance if there are any problems with yours. Pay attention to details. -Listen to tenants. -Don't be afraid to ask questions and admit when you don't know something. -Listen to your tenants. -Even if you're busy, it's important to listen to your tenants. Unknown problems are impossible to solve! -The more information you have, the better decisions you'll make when determining how best to serve the needs of your tenants and keep them happy with their living situation. More than just being a landlord, you need to be a good landlord. Being a good landlord is about more than just being a landlord; it's about making sure that your tenants are happy and comfortable in your rental unit. As a smart landlord, you'll know how to keep them happy by: Being responsive to requests for maintenance or repairs from tenants. If there's something wrong with the apartment--a leaky faucet or noisy pipes--contact the tenant immediately so that they don't have to call you first. That way, if it's urgent (and it probably will be), you can handle things before any damage has been done. Conclusion A good landlord is someone who cares about the people who live in his or her rental units. A landlord should be willing to listen to the tenants, answer their questions and give them the best experience possible. Keep these tips in mind when you're renting out your next house and you'll have no problems getting new tenants!"