Even ifyou have the cash, you’re not always an automatic lock for that dream rental. Because somewhere in the process of winning over the landlord with yourcharm and proving you’re a responsible adult, you could accidentally say something that will completely sabotage your chances of landing that great apartment.
Sure, we know you’d never tell a potential landlord something crazy, like that you plan to paint the entire apartment jet black or set up a cannabis brownie production line in the kitchen. But you still might unwittingly make some comments that—surprise!—take you out of the running.
So know what to say—and what not to say—before you ever do a walk-through. Certain things are better left unsaid, such as…
1. ‘I hate my current landlord’
Every potential landlord is going to ask why you’re moving.
Tread lightly.
Never tell a new landlord you hate your former landlord, or the maintenance staff, leasing office staff, or anyone else—even if they’re the slummiest slumlords who ever existed. You could have the best reason in the world for finally ditching that horrible apartment, but a new landlord won’t know if that’s true.
“If an applicant has a bad attitude about their current property—even if for legitimate reasons—the landlord could perceive the applicant as high maintenance,” says Kaycee Wegener, marketing director for Rentec Direct. “A complaining renter requires a lot of energy from landlord.”
Instead, Wegener recommends a neutral response such as “I’m looking for more space” or “I want to live closer to my office.”
2. ‘Let me ask you one more question’
You’re going to be living there for at least a year, so it makes sense to ask some questions about the rental, the community, and the management. But don’t go overboard.
“If you ask about everything under the sun, you’ll automatically be assumed to bea complainer,” says Chrisoula Papoutsakis, an agent with TripleMint in New York and a landlord.
So how do you know howmany questions veer into “too many” territory? Start by considering what you’re asking, and how relevant it is. You want to know if the countertops are a heat-safe material? That’s reasonable. But asking whether the floors are the original hardwood or laminate is probably overkill. And try to limit the time you spend on your inquisition. Keeping the landlord at the walk-through for an hour won’t win you a spot on the short list.
3. ‘I can’t wait to get a puppy’
If you’ve been dreaming of adding a new Portuguese water dog to the family, you probably want to make sure the rental you’re considering is pet-friendly. Butdon’t reveal more than you need to about your plans to make your place into a pet palace.
“Even if pets are allowed at the property, your future landlord will not be as excited as you about the idea of a puppy,” Wegener says. “Puppies can cause substantially more damage than an older pet.”
It’s perfectly fine to confirm the pet policy with the landlord and mention you’re considering adding a pet in the future, but don’t push it. You’ll have a better chance of getting approval for yourself and your future pup if you wait until after you’ve lived in the place for a while and proven how responsible you are.
4. ‘My partner works right up the street’
Unless you’re planning on moving in together (and being on the lease together), leave your significant other out of the conversation—at least initially.
“If you are planning to be the only person on the lease, do not talk about your boyfriend, girlfriend, or partner,” Wegener says. “A significant other who is not on the lease is a red flag to the landlord that the partner will be staying at the propertya lot.”
From a liability standpoint, this is a landlord’s worst nightmare (although the cannabis brownie thing comes close). Let’s say your significant other—or even a friend or family member who needs a place to crash for a bit—isn’t on the lease. The landlord can’t screen them properly and won’t know their criminal or work background. And if your guest punches a hole in the wall or plays drums all night long, the landlord has no real grounds to evict them or collect damages.
5. ‘I move all the time’
One of the greatest things about being a renter is the freedom. You can pick up and move any time the lease is up. But that isn’t such a great thing for landlords. When tenants move, it costs landlords money to acquire a new one. They want someone who is going to stick around for a few years.
If you’re a serial moveror planning on being in the rental for a short term, beware ofintroducing yourself with that information. Wait until you make your plans—and fulfill your lease agreement—to bring your landlord into the loop.
“A good first impression [for a renter to give] would be that they’re looking for longevity and that they would treat the apartment as their home,” Papoutsakis says. Circ*mstances can always change, so you’re not on the hook to stay longer than your lease, whatever you initially said your plans would be.
