If you want to secure the rental property you really want, you need to become known as “a good tenant”.
Landlords want to hold on to good tenants, and real estate agents have all sorts of ways of vetting whether or not you are one.
Just Property shares five tips that will help you rate as a top tenant:
Raise that credit score
Landlords are not only concerned about your income. They want to see how you have 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 but if your credit score is not good, you may need at least six months to improve it.
A credit score is calculated by the credit bureaus and looks at five parts:
- payment history (if you consistently pay on time and in full, the better your score);
- debt use (how much of the total credit available to you, that you use);
- credit history length (the longer your credit history, the better your score);
- recent activity (you will score points here if you refrain from applying for more credit on a regular basis): and
- your credit mix (you will score more points here if you own more types of credit e.g., you have a credit card, a cell phone 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, or that running credit checks can leave a “digital footprint” that has an impact on their credit score.
“Talk to your rental agent about your concerns and they can help you navigate them”, says Paul Stevens, chief executive officer (CEO) of Just Property.
Be a good match
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 agent,” says Joe Alves, award-winning Just Property agent for Blouberg. Include the number of bedrooms and bathrooms you need; whether you require a garage or are happy with a parking space; a description of your 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, etc.
Read the fine print
Many tenants feel awkward about questioning clauses included in a lease. But you are going to have to abide by what you agree to, so it is in your interests to ask for explanations around anything you do not understand or are unhappy about. Pieter van den Berg of Just Property Prosper in Cape Town says this actually makes for better relations between the tenant and landlord as everyone knows exactly where they stand.
“It is also important to establish upfront whether there are any additional costs over and above the monthly rental,” he adds.
Save the date
That the rental and all other costs are paid timeously is the number one priority. This is probably the first thing that is 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 even have an impact on the rent you pay – landlords do not want to lose a good tenant and when the annual increase is due, may be prepared to negotiate,” says Melissa Bee, Just Property agent for City Bowl.
“Tenants sometimes forget that many landlords rely on the rental of a property to put food on the table, pay their bond, and keep on top of maintenance. Do not be late.”
If you are, temporarily, unable to pay on time, let your agent know.
“We understand, and so do landlords, that things like retrenchment can be devastating,” says Liesl Alves of Just Property Blouberg.
“The important thing is to let your agent or landlord know as soon as possible. If you are one of our ‘good tenants’ we can often work together to find a solution.”
As if it were your own
“Our best tenants treat the home they are leasing as if it were their own. They are scrupulous about cleanliness, inside and out. Most will happily see to general day-to-day maintenance and small repairs themselves”, says Van den Berg.
Veronique Eachus, a Just Property agent in Gqeberga, adds that they also communicate quickly when there are problems such as water leaks, trees or 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, landlord or agent if the damage needs to be inspected.”
“Great tenants also always ask permission before making changes such as knocking nails into walls, adding a satellite dish, or painting walls,” Eachus 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.”
