Will you be here all the time?

May 3, 2010 7:20 AM

Looking at a potential house to rent. We really like it. However we are not sure how intrusive the landlord will be. We want to find a polite way to ask if he plans on being around all the time.

The house has a super odd kitchen set up. We don't care. He mentioned while showing it to us that he plans on re-doing the set up but didn't mention when. He also said he maintains the yard. This is a single family home. We are actually really looking forward to maintaining a yard and doing quite a bit of gardening. We let him know we would be happy to maintain the yard and me mentioned there were some plants he wanted to kill off in the back yard. He lives 2 doors down. He definitely cares about his property which is great! But we want to make it clear that we would care about his property too. Whatever home we ultimately chose will be our HOME (as opposed to a house we live in) until we can afford to buy a place.

We want to feel out how much in our business be will be. If he will be too much so, we will pass. I get that it is his property, but while we live there we want to know it is ours and not be made to feel like we are intruding on his turf. How can we discern this or inquire in a polite way?

posted by MayNicholas to Home & Garden (4 answers total)

You explain to him what you've just explained to us - about the home vs house thing. And leading on from that you say you were really looking forward to maintaining a yard, and would he be happy for you to do that, and you find out how concrete or otherwise his plans for the kitchen are and ask him to either complete them before you move in or else wait until you've moved out again, as you'd prefer not to live in a building site.

And if he's got a problem with any of that kind of conversation that in itself will answer your question. Because if he's not detached enough to have that kind of conversation and accommodate genuine concerns like that you really don't want to get involved. If on the other hand he's quite happy with that line of thought then you just get it documented as part of your tenancy agreement and you all know where you stand.
posted by koahiatamadl at 7:35 AM on May 3, 2010 [1 favorite]

My landlord lives 3 blocks away and we have a similiar set-up. A single family home with a large yard that he maintains and quirky kitchen. He sometimes will walk by the house, but never comes to the door unless he has called ahead of time. The yardwork gets done during the day while we are at work usually. He has a constantly ongoing "to do/wish list" for the house. Some of which we take care of (clearing a large section of brush) and some are things that he still hasn't gotten around to doing after 2 years (repainting the porch). Honestly, in my situation, I see the landlord more than I like, but he's respectful of privacy and is willing to let us do things like plant a garden. So probably, you'll see him a whole lot more than you would a rental agency or management company, but I think that if you make it clear you're taking care of things or check with him about the way he might want something done (plants moved or cutting the grass a particular height) he'll be less present.
posted by Phoenix42 at 7:47 AM on May 3, 2010

Response by poster: Thanks for the replies! I will talk to him when I drop off our application.
posted by MayNicholas at 9:32 AM on May 3, 2010

Not sure what state you are in, but in Philadelphia the landlord needs to give you 24 hours notice before entering your apartment unless it's an emergency.

As others said, just tell him (and show him) that you'll be taking care of the property yourself.
posted by Lizsterr at 5:26 PM on May 3, 2010