Buying a house or condo is the goal for many of us, but it’s not always an ideal time—either in our lives or in the market. If you’ve recently sold your house with the help of a home selling service and you’re currently looking for a rental property, whether a studio apartment or a 2 bedroom luxury apartment, you want to make sure you’re going to be the best candidate you can be. Many of us have done things in our past that would likely make us lose accountability as a possible tenant, such as running up credit cards and/or paying bills late. Hopefully those are far in your past, but even if they aren’t, there are things you can do to make yourself more appealing to landlords. More specifically, there are mistakes you can avoid when you want to make yourself more attractive as a potential tenant. Landlords do a West Virginia background check before accepting a tenant. Read on for mistakes every new tenant should avoid when looking for a new place to rent.

New Tenants

Don’t Ignore Your Credit Score

We know—sticking your head in the sand is much easier than facing the thought of bad credit. However, not facing it is the worst thing you can do. First of all, your credit score is not likely as bad as you think it is. Second of all, there are ways to clean it up. You can get a free credit report once a year, and at any time you are turned down for something due to bad credit. Take advantage of this and analyze your credit reports. First and foremost, make sure everything that’s reflected is yours. Sometimes dings from other people will show up on your report, and sometimes even the wrong social security number will be reflected! Of course, if you have the ability to pay off all your credit cards, do so, and always pay your bills on time.

Be Honest

Any landlord worth her salt will run a background report on you, so if there’s something that might look bad, get ahead of it by explaining it to your potential landlord. There’s a lot to be said for being honest and forthright. Conversely, if she finds something on you that hasn’t been revealed, you will come across as untrustworthy.

Come Prepared

Landlords are very busy, so don’t waste his or her time if you already know you can’t pay the rent. If you’re ready, show that you are. Come to the meeting with proof of employment and your checkbook so you can pay for a deposit. Be prepared to answer tenant screening questions truthfully. If your monthly pay is variable (such as that of freelancers), you might be required to have someone co-sign for you, so be ready for that as well. A landlord will see this preparation as a sign of responsibility so this will go a long way in getting your status as a dream tenant solidified. If you show up ill prepared for renting, you will indicate you’re not a serious applicant.

Contact Rental Manager If Needed

When faced with property-related issues, it’s crucial to consider leveraging the expertise of rental management services. Instead of reaching out to the landlord directly, consider contacting professionals like Ascent rental management team for assistance. They possess the necessary knowledge and resources to address various concerns effectively, ensuring a seamless renting experience for both landlords and tenants alike. By collaborating with rental management, landlords also gain access to a dedicated team equipped to handle maintenance requests, rent collection, tenant screenings, and lease agreements. Their proactive approach helps mitigate potential conflicts and ensures that the property remains well-maintained and profitable. Whether you’re a landlord seeking efficient property management solutions or a tenant in need of assistance, relying on professional services can streamline the rental process and foster positive landlord-tenant relationships

Disclose Your Roommates

Of course, this can also be filed under “be honest” but you’d be surprised by how many times potential tenants bring someone to look at the apartment who they say is just a friend, only to have this person move in on moving day. Your landlord will eventually find out who is living there and either charge you more rent or attempt to evict you, so it’s best to be honest from the get-go.

Be a Respectful Tenant from the Start

So, you’ve landed the place you wanted. Congratulations! That doesn’t mean it’s time to throw a huge party and/or blast music after 9 pm on a regular basis. Not only do you not want to get on your landlord’s bad side, but you want to avoid making your neighbors angry, too. Hopefully they’ll be your neighbors for a long time so it’s best to establish a mutual respect. Don’t hang laundry over the side of your patio and keep everything that can be seen by other tenants extremely tidy.

Avoid these common mistakes should be easy and rewarding. Do so and you’ll solidify you status as the ideal tenant with your landlord in no time.