Tenants and landlords both need to show each other some respect

When it comes to the relationship between landlords and tenants, it seems Aretha Franklin had it right: Show a little respect.

We asked people who rated their tenant-landlord relationship as “excellent” in a recent Mustel Group poll for some tips, and noticed a common theme in their advice.

“We have always treated this house with the same care and respect as if we owned it, ”said Bill Irwin, who has lived with his wife in the same rental home for 34 years.

Norma Heaslip of Coquitlam says seeing both points of view is key to working with the property manager of the building in which she lives.

“I respect the nature of her job and she respects me as a tenant. Her job is never an easy one — the middle man. She has been very fair in her dealings with me, even when stuck between a ‘rock and a hard place.’ ”

For landlords, it all starts with the screening, application and contract process, says Terry Halliday of Northtrac Property Management.

“Having a thorough conversation at those stages sets the level of expectations, ”Halliday says, adding it’s important to make it clear to the tenant “what they are signing and what is in the contract both for starting tenancy, while living there and for moving out.”

Chanelle Dupre, who owns rentals in Vancouver and Toronto, agrees that it’s important to screen for tenants who share similar values to you, and urges fellow landlords to keep in touch throughout the lease period so that any issues can be dealt with quickly.

“Show them you care, and you’ll get people who treat your home with respect.”