Issues between landlords and tenants often go far further than they need to when the two do not communicate well. A landlord who doesn’t respond quickly may anger a tenant who thinks that it means the landlord doesn’t respect their wishes. A tenant who communicates in an aggressive way may offend a landlord who feels personally attacked for every little thing that happens in the home or apartment.
So, how can both sides keep things from escalating? Good communication is vital in this relationship — as in many others, from business relationships to marriages — and it can help them avoid a lot of issues. Here are some important tips:
- Remember that everyone deserves to be treated well.
- Always be honest.
- Attempt to be as transparent as possible.
- Talk to one another in a respectful manner.
- Try not to take things personally.
- Remember that the other person is just that: a person. We’re all people. We have lives, wishes, hopes, dreams, shortcomings, schedules, needs and much more. When people realize how similar they are, it helps them get along.
It can also be helpful to discover what method of communication works best. For some, it’s the phone. For others, it’s face-to-face. For others, it’s an email message or a text message. There’s no right or wrong way to communicate, but finding the best method for each relationship definitely helps.
When landlords and tenants do run into issues with things like rent, eviction, repairs, lease terms or anything else, it is crucial that both sides understand all of the legal rights that they have.