Nine things not to say to a potential landlord

For landlords, punctual and reliable payment of the monthly rent is essential. This is why landlords prefer people with stable employment and reliable income. Those who only work part-time or have irregular jobs are quickly eliminated during the initial screening.

This question also feeds into every landlord’s concerns. Not being able to pay the deposit suggests that the person has no financial reserves. By the way: with rental deposit insurance, you can elegantly avoid this problem. This could indeed mean that a delay in rent payment could quickly occur. This is what landlords want to avoid at all costs.

It is important for landlords to obtain security in the form of a rental deposit. This can amount to up to three months’ net rent and must be provided. Failure to provide the rental deposit can be grounds for early termination of the lease. Find out about goCaution’s rental deposit insurance, which guarantees the rental deposit and saves you from having to deposit the money.

A landlord will only offer an apartment for rent if they are convinced it will rent well. Modification requests are likely to be quickly refused. Moreover, such demands give the impression that this could be a difficult tenant who might cause problems later. If you plan to make small changes to the apartment, wait until you have moved in.

With such a statement, you risk being ruled out very quickly. If you regularly throw parties, you risk angering your neighbours. And if the neighbours put pressure on the landlord, the situation can quickly become unpleasant. Landlords generally prefer quiet people who do not cause much disturbance.

This statement attracts the attention of landlords. It could be a sign that the tenant takes legal action at the slightest problem and that things could quickly deteriorate. No landlord wants that. Especially since most problems can be resolved without legal assistance. It is better to inform yourself in advance about your rights and obligations as a tenant.

Pets are a very sensitive subject. It is best to enquire before the viewing whether the landlord allows animals and, if so, which ones. Many landlords are critical of pets. It is difficult to prevent animals from leaving marks in the apartment.

Officially, this would be a bribe, and bribery is prohibited. It is true that bribes are regularly paid in the housing market, whether in a purchase or rental transaction. But not all landlords react positively. It is therefore better not to try.

It happens regularly that potential tenants try to move the landlord emotionally. However, serious landlords select their tenants based on objective criteria rather than their current life situation. Be honest, but do not overdo it.