How to be a good tenant landlords want to keep

Just Property CEO Paul Stevens says if you want to secure the rental property you want, you need to become known as ‘a good tenant’.

Landlords want to hold on to good tenants, and real estate agents have ways of vetting whether you are one or not.

Just Property shares tips that will help you rate as a top tenant:

Lift your credit score

Landlords are not only concerned about your income. They want to see how you managed financial commitments in the past, as this is a leading indicator of your ability to pay your rent on time and in full. A good credit score will put them at ease.

If your credit score is not good, you may need at least six months to improve it. A credit score, calculated by the credit bureaus, looks at five parts:

1. Payment history (if you consistently pay on time and in full, the better your score)

2. Debt use (how much you use of the total credit available to you).

3. Credit history length (the longer your credit history, the better your score)

4. Recent activity (if you refrain from applying for more credit regularly)

5. Your credit mix (you will score more points here if you have more types of credit – a credit card, a cellphone account and a store account).

Some tenants worry that a bad experience or an oversight can leave a long-lasting negative impact on their credit.

(An example is a Telkom account running up on an outstanding balance even though you closed the account).

Others worry that running credit checks can leave a ‘digital footprint’ that impacts their credit score.

“Talk to your rental agent about your concerns, because they can help you navigate them”, Stevens said.

Be a good match

How to win over an agent? Have a clear idea of what you are looking for.

“Arriving with a list of your requirements saves everyone’s time and will impress the managing agent,” said Joe Alves, Just Property agent for Blouberg.

Include the number of bedrooms and bathrooms you need; do you require a garage or a parking space/s (specify how many); a description of your well-behaved pet if you have one; your must-have level of security; and whether you need to be near shops, specific schools, public transport, and hospitals.

Read the fine print

Many tenants feel awkward about questioning clauses included in a lease. Remember, you have to abide by what you agree to. It is in your interest to ask for explanations about anything you do not understand or are unhappy about.

Pieter van den Berg of Just Property in Cape Town said this establishes better relations between tenant and landlord as everyone knows exactly where they stand. “Also establish upfront whether there are additional costs over and above the monthly rental,” he added.

Save the date

If you were a landlord or a managing agent your number one priority once a lease is in place is that the rental and all other costs are paid timeously. This is probably the first thing noted when another landlord asks for a tenant reference.

If you want to be known as a ‘good tenant’ establish a record of timeous payments.

“It creates trust and can impact the rent you pay. Landlords do not want to lose a good tenant and when the annual increase is due, he may be prepared to negotiate,” said Melissa Bee, the Just Property agent for City Bowl.

“Tenants sometimes forget many landlords rely on the rental of a property to put food on the table, pay their bond, and keep on top of maintenance.

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Don’t be late

If you are unable to pay on time, let your agent know.

“We understand and so do landlords, that things like retrenchment can be devastating,” said Liesl Alves of Just Property Blouberg.

“It is important to notify your agent or landlord as soon as possible. If you are one of our ‘good tenants’ we can often work towards a solution.”

As if it were your own

The portfolio managers at Just Property Prosper, responsible for over 1 000 rental properties, know what landlords appreciate.

“Our best tenants treat the homes they are leasing as if it is their own. They are scrupulous about cleanliness, inside and out. Most will do the general day-to-day maintenance and small repairs themselves”, said Pieter van den Berg.

Veronique Eachus, a Just Property agent in Gqeberga, added tenants communicate quickly when there are problems, such as water leaks or trees/plants that are damaging or may damage structures.

“We tend to hear from these tenants before a small issue becomes a huge problem. They are happy to arrange access as required for the contractor or the landlord/agent if the damage needs to be inspected,” she said.

“Great tenants also always ask permission before making changes such as knocking nails into walls, adding a satellite dish, or painting walls,” Veronique adds.

“They understand that in terms of their lease, they need to restore what has been changed to its original condition when vacating the property.”

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