6 Things All Renters Should Know About Their Neighbors, According to Landlords

Pop quiz! How many of your neighbors do you know by name? Tack on some bonus points if you know a little about them, like what they do for work or how they enjoy spending their free time.

How’d you fare? Admittedly, if you’re renting, it can be tough to get to know your neighbors. Leases turn over quickly, and you may be afraid as coming off as “nosy.”

But getting to know your neighbors can be mutually beneficial—you can count on one another to let your dogs out if one of you gets stuck at work late or be in contact in case of an emergency. Plus, being friendly with your neighbors can make your apartment building or neighborhood feel more like a community, even if there’s only a few months left in your lease.

Here’s what landlords want every tenant to know about their neighbors.

Sure, it’s great to have neighbors that you can text and have over for an impromptu glass of wine or Tuesday night dinner. But at the very least, having your neighbors’ phone numbers can come in handy in case of an emergency, says Domenick Tiziano, editor of Accidental Rental, an advice blog for new landlords.

A landlord himself, Tiziano gives this cautionary tale: Water was once leaking into one of his rental units from the unit above. There was no way of shutting off the water flow because he didn’t have contact information for the person who lived in the above unit. “The fire department had to break in and shut off their water,” he says. The moral of the story: Exchange phone numbers!

This isn’t exactly something that will come up in casual hallway conversation, but there are other ways to gather this information. If you’re moving into an apartment building or a multi-unit property that’s managed by one landlord, ask what kind of background checks are conducted on residents.

Don’t be afraid to get specific here: How far back does the background check extend? Is it only on crimes in this state that are screened? What crimes would prevent someone from being able to lease here? Does every member of the household go through a background check?

“Before you sign a lease on any property, you should also check your local sex offender registry,” says Martin Peters, a landlord and a licensed attorney in Florida. The FBI can point you to your state’s sex offender registry site.

You could also go to your local law enforcement agency and ask for all calls and police services on the street or in the neighborhood that you’re moving into, Peters says, though public records laws vary by state. “This will tell you if you have neighbors who play music late into the night or quarrelsome people on the street,” he says.

This can be a sensitive subject to navigate, and may come up after initial conversations with your neighbor. But, knowing of any healthcare issues means you might be able to help your neighbor out in the case of a medical emergency or a fall, says Benjamin Ross, a Corpus Christi-based landlord and real estate investor.

“Neighbors have saved lives because many times, they were the first ones to notice an emergency, such as a fall, and responded,” he says.

If you live in an apartment building, the leasing office will usually receive packages. But if you’re renting in a more residential area, packages often end up on doorsteps and attract porch pirates.

“Your neighbors could keep an eye on your packages for your or hold them for if you they are home during the day,” says Justin Progue, a residential property manager and author of Rental Secrets. Or, vice-versa if you work from home.

“Do they work a graveyard shift or are they up early?” are reasonable questions points out Rob Fountain, a property manager in Colorado Springs, Colorado.  Knowing this can help you be a conscientious neighbor so you’re cognizant of noise levels when they’re sleeping. Also, you can be on alert for suspicious noises or activity while they are away, he says. 

“Knowing their occupation may also help down the road,” says Fountain. “Maybe you’ve been living next to a mechanic or fitness trainer.” Why not hire your trusted neighbor?

Are the kids in sports or budding artists? Does the spouse have an interesting hobby or career? How do they like to spend their free time? What’s their pet’s name, and is he an escape artist?

“Being a good neighbor is easy with some consideration and a little bit of knowledge,” says Fountain.