We know that landlords always ask for references before renting out one of their apartments to a new tenant. It is simply part of the way things are done, when someone is looking for a place to stay. However, we rarely hear tenants inquiring about their potential new landlords, when in fact it should be a question that they ask themselves. Why should one enquire about the reputation of his landlord and how can you tell if they are good or not? You will find the answers to these questions below.

Bad Tenants and Bad Landlords

A bad tenant can be a real issue for a landlord: unpaid rent, unkempt property causing insect infestations, disturbing the peace of other neighbours during the night… These are all causes sufficient to drive a landlord mad. But the flipside can also be true.

What if the security system is not working correctly, and no one comes to fix the problem? If the maintenance of the grounds is inexistent, making it a perfect zone for mosquitoes to grow in? Or what if it takes days to go and fix the hot water problem? That can definitely make the life of a tenant miserable. That is why, the next time you go visit an apartment, don’t forget to pick up their contact details before leaving. Use the data on the card to find all the information you can, on the internet. With a bit of chance, if there are issues with the location or the person in charge of it, you will discover it.

What are the Main Reasons to Check on a Landlord’s Reputation?

Safety

If you have ever lived somewhere you did not feel safe, you already understand the importance of this point on the checklist. Safety starts by ensuring that the grounds you are living on can be walked without any danger of being physically or verbally attacked. That means your neighbours have all been verified before the landlord rented to them.

It also means safety in the sense that you won’t come to harm by a failing electrical system inside the house or in the garden. It also applies to any other equipment that would not be functioning properly, including plumbing. If you have to worry about safety in any way, where you live, the stress level will rapidly become too high to bear.

Maintenance

If maintenance is not properly done, the problems will accumulate rapidly. Cleaning should be a priority in any apartment building or housing complex. Otherwise, the property will decay rapidly, and uncleanliness could lead to rats and insects infestations. If the garden and the inside court are not maintained well, not matter which advantages they may hold (playground, swings, picnic tables, etc.), you will not be able to use them. And if you call for maintenance in emergency measures (flooding, electricity failure, no hot water) and the landlord doesn’t answer, the situation will become intolerable.

How can You Tell if the Landlord is Legit?

Go to the Rental/Management Office

The first thing to do is to visit the rental office, where you should find the landlord or the person representing him. If there is no such office, you should wonder where you will go and who will you talk to, if you ever have a problem to solve. If the person in charge is one of the tenants, try ringing his bell and have a conversation with him about how things are taken care of around the property.

Check Testimonials

One of the best parts of the internet today is that you can find information on just about anyone and any companies. That is where the  information card you picked-up can really be useful. First search for the name of the property where you want to rent, on Google. In the search results, you will probably find testimonies from previous tenants, which will give you a good idea of what to expect if you move in. Then, you can also search for the name of the person on the card, if any. That may provide an even clearer picture, if there are any results.

Call the Real Estate Commission

Depending on where you live, this organisation may have a different name, but nonetheless, there should be one that will be able to inform you. The Real Estate Commission is where property managers have to register. If you get in contact with them and they confirm that your landlord is indeed registered, then you’ll know for sure that he is legit.

Before renting your next place to stay, make sure you learn more about your future landlord. It may save you from going through an unpleasant experience. Don’t be afraid to ask all the questions you have in mind. If the landlord is good, he will only see it as a proof of your character.