When you have a good relationship with your Chelsea landlord, life can be a lot easier. But is it a good idea to make your landlord your friend? If you are thinking of renting from a friend or developing a friendship with your landlord, you have to keep some things in mind. Landlord-tenant friendships can work, but it does take effort. Here are some guidelines so you can ensure that your rental relationship does not ruin your personal one.
Document Everything
The days of doing business with a handshake are long gone. If you will be renting a house from a friend, make sure to have all your rights and responsibilities outlined in a detailed lease. Document all of your agreements in the lease– that includes everything you have verbally agreed upon. Good documentation of your landlord’s expectations will help hold both you and your landlord accountable.
Separate Business and Pleasure
As friendships come in different forms, depending on how close your relationship becomes, make sure you set good boundaries with your landlord for your social time and all other landlord-tenant interactions. Issues about the rental home should not be discussed in social settings, and keep in mind that your friendship with your landlord does not mean he must grant your every request. Expecting special treatment will only cause problems between you and your landlord as well as between your other roommates. Friends are friends, but being a landlord is your friend’s business, so keep it professional.
Set Boundaries
As you keep your business and personal relationships separate, it is also vital that you set good boundaries with your landlord in other ways as well. Your landlord might feel like a close enough friend that he invites himself into your home or to your possessions. There is a line between being a landlord and taking advantage of a friend and it can often be easily crossed. When a landlord starts crossing one boundary, it will be easier for him to cross others as well. If this happens, it is best to nip these unwelcome behaviors in the bud. Keeping boundaries will help maintain your relationship with your landlord.
Anticipate Awkwardness
With your friendship with your landlord, you may begin feeling comfortable talking to him regularly. But still, there will be times when these conversations become awkward, like when you start discussing other tenants or your landlord’s businesses that do not have any relevance 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. The problem arises when your landlord begins to express feelings of hurt if you do not involve him in every social activity in your rental home. While it could be awkward, you have to make it clear to your landlord that your friendship does not obligate you to include them in all your activities. Likewise, do not assume that you will also be invited to your landlord’s social gatherings. Neither of you will benefit from blurring the lines of your relationship.
Maintaining a friendship with your landlord or comfortably renting from a friend can be very challenging. 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 Chelsea rental house managed by true professionals? Then think about getting to know our Chelsea property management team! Contact us online or call us at 205-793-0700.
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