There’s a chance you may not be best friends with your landlord. At some point, you may have even fired off a status update telling your friends what a monster your landlord is. Tenant-landlord relationships are often like that—aloof, distant, insincere and, at best, civil and convenient. Of course, there are some who are blessed with landlords who treat tenants like family, but many tenant-landlord interactions don’t work that way.

When you rent a condo or apartment, especially when you lease a place for a long time, there are contracts and agreements you have to sign. Read them. Don’t just thumb through them as if you were browsing a magazine of who wore what. There are a multitude of things to consider before signing a lease or contract—more than just the mode of payment. Contracts tell you what you can and cannot do, what’s allowed in your building and what’s frowned upon. A contract is basically a set of laws that inform you of the many things you need to know as a renter—more than just to pay your rent on time. Violating these rules makes you a candidate for eviction.

More is Not Merrier

Among the first questions a tenant asks a landlord is: How many rooms are there? Or the landlord may ask: How many will be staying in the apartment? Whether you’re going solo, with a companion, or bringing in your family, be honest. Give your landlord a heads-up too that friends or family may be visiting or spending the night and tell him how frequently this may happen. Not being truthful on this bit of detail will put you in trouble and could be a reason for tenant eviction. Do not get a permanent roommate and think you can just get away with it.

Remember that while the law mostly sides with the tenant, you still don’t own the place. Besides possibly being a rule, it is common courtesy to let your landlord know if you’re having guests, especially if they would be staying for a significant period. If you are throwing a party and you know you are going to be louder than usual, be polite and let your landlord and your neighbors know.

Keep it Low

If you have a place to yourself, chances are you want the world to know. Renting a condo on your own is a feat, a life changing one, for anyone. Somehow you feel the urge to show your friends and family what condo living is like. Suddenly, you feel like you are the king of the world. Next thing you know, you are asking friends to come over. You tell them you’ll host a little get-together over chips and Coke or maybe some barbeque, then maybe some beer or lots of it.

Before you know it, your place is filled with friends at a party. The next scene would probably be an angry neighbor knocking at your door, telling you to keep it low.  If this keeps on happening, and your landlord finds out about it, you could be in for some trouble. Remember that to be a good neighbor, you must be sensitive, mindful and courteous. Put yourself in your neighbor’s shoes: Would you want your neighbor to hold a rowdy rock concert next to your room?

Keep It to Yourself

There’s another kind of noise that all neighbors hate: the sound of gossip. It probably ranks low on the decibel category, but in terms of damage it can cause, it’s definitely way up there. Do not confuse concern with gossip. Letting everyone know that your neighbor snores so loud it goes through your wall is not showing concern. It just embarrasses them. If you have bizarre issues like these, don’t let it go as far as the tenants four floors above you. Just politely let the neighbor know your concern.

Don’t meddle with personal issues. Don’t volunteer opinion when no one is soliciting for it. Condo living screams of independence, so it won’t hurt if you stop minding other people’s business. Sure, you can make friends with neighbors, but make sure your intentions are pure.

Off the Wall

Do not put up a blow-up picture on the wall if it is not allowed. Most landlords are very particular with keeping the place the way it is—don’t repaint, and don’t drill holes. What you can and cannot do in your unit is usually detailed on the contract, so make sure to go over the rules and take them seriously. Damage to property, whether excessive or normal wear and tear, could get you evicted. You’ll also have to pay for repairs and replacements.

Don’t worry about having boring bare walls.  There are countless designs you can try without drilling a single hole.  You can jazz up your place without repainting or moving too many things around.

If you notice the trends of condos in key cities, most of them are already furnished. Take care of the furniture, and be careful to scratch or spill on anything. This does not only save you from bickering with your landlord, but it also saves you from doing extra cleaning.

Furry Matters

Among the deal breakers in renting a condo or apartment is whether or not you are allowed to bring your pet.  Sometimes, you find a place you think is perfect, until you find out dogs and cats are off-limits. This is usually written in the contract, so again, make sure to read it closely. If pets aren’t mentioned in there, ask your landlord if they are allowed.

Being a good tenant is fairly easy.  The hard and fast rule is to respect everyone’s space as much as you want them to respect yours.  That and, of course, paying your rent on time.