Anna Dorsey | Illustration Editor

Dear Scene,

I’m moving into my first off-campus apartment this June and everyone I’ve talked to says my landlord is terrible. I’ve never had to deal with landlords before, and I’m kind of freaking out — what if something goes wrong in my building?

— Reproachful Renter 

Dear Reproachful,

Welcome to the scam of off-campus college living, where you will get a crash course in dealing with terrible people. For most people, the pros of living without an RA outweigh the cons of dealing with landlords. Even though you must face the inevitable obstacle of communicating with the person (or company) you are renting from, I can guarantee that you will make some of your best college memories in your apartment.

From the start, I think it’s best to kill your landlord with kindness. Be quick and responsive to emails, try your best to work on their timeline for security deposits and key pickups, and always say “please” and “thank you.” 

But, at the same time, make it clear that you know what you’re doing — even if you don’t. Read up on guides that explain your rights as a renter. Clarify right off the bat about security deposit timing and the conditions of getting your money back at the end of the lease. Ask about privacy rules — is your landlord going to be barging into your space randomly? Figure out what kinds of extra fees may be added to your bill, like whether or not utilities are included in rent. Determine the best way to reach your landlord, and try to get as many means of communication as possible — a number for emergencies, a tenant portal, a personal number, emails, etc. — they might have several modes of contact and you want to have access to all of them.

Throughout the whole process, remember that in this relationship, you and your landlord are both adults. You have equal standing in the business partnership you have entered. Therefore, you have every right to negotiate.

It’s also worth trying to get in touch with the tenants who lived in the space before you. They might be able to give you helpful information about how best to communicate with your landlord, things in the apartment that will likely need work, or even the best time to do laundry. Maybe they’ll have your landlord’s personal number, or maybe they’ll know what causes that weird sound the radiator makes.

Chances are you’re living in a pretty old building, so be prepared for the challenges that come with that experience. Your appliances might not look like the ones you’re used to. Your toilet may flush slowly, the oven may run hot, the shower may run cold. If something isn’t working perfectly, figure out what is just a characteristic of an old building, and what is fixable. Then, give your landlord a call.

It’s almost inevitable that something will come up and you will have to reach out to your landlord. This may be easy, but it also could go in a much more negative direction. The best way to be a tenant is to be prepared for all situations. Be ready to advocate for yourself, and don’t compromise on what you were promised. Read your lease carefully, pay your rent on time, and be respectful. But don’t be afraid to put your foot down and drop the sugar-coating of your words if the situation takes a turn for the worst.

This is a big step in your transition to adulthood. Be ready to embrace all the drama that comes with it. And welcome to the neighborhood!

Your next-door neighbors,

Scene