How to Be a Dream Tenant (and Avoid Nightmares!) with Hope Property Investments
by Hope Property Investments on 06/17/25
Let’s set the scene…
Location: 18 Imagination Lane
Characters:
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Jamie – new to the neighborhood, first-time renter
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Chris – friendly next-door neighbor and low-key lease expert
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Angel – the account manager with the clipboard of destiny
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The House – a lovely 3-bedroom rental with hardwood floors, a tidy lawn, and lots of potential
Jamie had just moved in and was ready to start their rental journey. They were responsible, excited, and totally unprepared for all the things renters sometimes forget.
Enter Chris, waving from across the driveway:
“You got the welcome email, right? With the lease PDF? Oh buddy… let’s talk about the Do’s and Don'ts before things get wild.”
DO: Pay Your Rent On Time
?? Jamie's Story: Jamie forgot to pay rent until the 7th. That small delay? It cost them a 10% late fee plus a call from Angel reminding them court costs and a $250 attendance fee apply if things escalate.
Reminder: Rent is due on the 1st, late on the 5th, and not paying is serious business. Use your portal at AppFolio and keep those funds ready!
DON'T: Disconnect the Utilities
?? Jamie thought, “I’m not using the gas stove yet—I'll just wait to set that up.”
Wrong move. The utilities must be transferred into your name within 24 hours or risk a $100 fee, disconnection, and the landlord having to get involved.
Chris chuckled, “You ever tried showering in the dark? Don’t be Jamie. Just call the utility companies.”
DO: Let Us Know If You’re Leaving (Even for a Month)
?? Jamie’s cousin needed help across the state. Jamie left for 3 weeks with no heads-up. Cue a wellness check, frantic phone calls, and unnecessary worry.
Lease says: Let us know before extended absences, or you might return to a whole lot of confusion.
DON'T: Start a Petting Zoo or Surprise Puppy Rescue
Jamie brought home a surprise foster pit bull, thinking it was “just for the weekend.” Fast forward to a $500 fine and a very awkward visit from Angel.
Pets need prior approval, a $300 deposit, and no pit bulls, Dobermans, Rottweilers, or exotic animals are allowed—no matter how cuddly they are.
DO: Take Care of Your Yard
Jamie was shocked when their lawn turned into a jungle. Guess what? Hope Property sent a landscaping crew and billed Jamie for the overgrowth.
Yard maintenance is your job—mow, trim, weed. Even leaves! (Yes, seriously.)
DON'T: Store Tires in the Yard (Or Mattresses, Pools, or Grandpa’s Couch)
Jamie hosted a garage sale that ended in the yard looking like a landfill. A $50-per-tire fee and notices later, Jamie learned: the yard is not a storage unit.
No trampolines, no above-ground pools over 13”, and NO PARKING ON THE GRASS (that’s a $25/day fine, folks).
DO: Submit Maintenance Requests the Right Way
Jamie texted “my fridge is dying ??” to Angel at 10 PM on a Sunday.
That text? Lost in the weekend shuffle.
Use your AppFolio portal for work orders. Always. Then call during office hours (8:30–5). Emergencies aside, it's the smoothest way to keep your place in shape.
DON'T: Use the Toilet Like a Trash Can
Jamie flushed paper towels, wipes, and who-knows-what else. Cue a $475 plumbing bill and a big mess.
Only flush single-ply toilet paper and, well... you know. Anything else goes in the trash. Trust us.
DO: Change Your Air Filters Monthly
Jamie ignored the HVAC filter. Their AC quit during a July heatwave.
Turns out, repairs for a dirty filter are on YOU, and it’s never less than $100.
Buy a stack of filters and make it part of your monthly routine!
DON'T: Paint the Living Room Hot Pink (Without Asking)
Jamie’s “creative vision” required repainting three walls. Hope Property required it be returned to original condition—and Jamie had to pay for it.
No remodeling, painting, or structural changes without written permission.
DO: Enter a 30-Day Notice & Complete Your Obligations
Jamie thought giving a verbal heads-up was good enough. They didn’t file the official 30-day notice, left the place messy, and never returned keys. They lost part of their deposit and racked up fees.
Here’s how to avoid that:
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Submit your 30-day notice in writing through the google form. .
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Allow showings for new applicants (you’ll get a 24-hour heads-up).
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Leave the home in clean condition and return all keys.
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Don’t assume anything—complete the checklist so your deposit comes back with no deductions.
DON'T: Smoke Inside (Seriously.)
One slip-up, a few cigarette butts, and a surprise inspection = $500 smoking violation. Second time? Eviction.
Smoke outside, clean up after yourself, and make your home fresh-air approved.
DO: Get Renter’s Insurance
When Jamie’s laptop got stolen from their car parked in the driveway, they were out of luck—no renter’s insurance.
Your lease requires coverage of $100,000 liability minimum. It's peace of mind that saves you when surprises hit.
In Summary: Be the Jamie Everyone Loves (Not Learns From)
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Read your lease (or call Angel—she’ll help break it down).
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Treat the house like it's your own.
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Communicate early and often.
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Follow the golden rule: Don’t surprise your landlord.
At Hope Property Investments, we want to see you thrive—not just survive. Respect your lease, and you’ll enjoy stress-free renting—and keep Chris off your lawn with that “I told you so” look.
