Landlord relations have been the fodder of sitcoms and stand-up comedians for years. But all joking aside, how to deal with landlords is a topic you should give serious consideration to as an apartment tenant. Your landlord has certain obligations to provide tenants with a safe, healthy living environment, but beyond that they can control certain aspects of the quality of your apartment experience. For example, your landlord decides which repairs get done and when on your apartment.

It is important that tenant-landlord relations get off to a good start. Keep all appointments for viewing the apartment and signing the lease, being sure to show up on time. Before you sign the lease, request to see your apartment with the landlord. If anything in the apartment is not in working order, ask the landlord to agree to make repairs in writing.

Your landlord does have an obligation to maintain electrical, plumbing, sewage, heat and air conditioning and appliances associated with your apartment. While the landlord does not necessarily pay the monthly cost of these utilities, it is his or her responsibility to make sure all of these things are safe and in good working order.

Be sure to read your lease carefully and ask questions if there is a section you don’t understand. After you sign the lease request a copy for you own records. Also be sure you know the procedure for apartment maintenance requests and how to contact the landlord in case of emergency. Your landlord should give you 24-hour notice in writing before entering your apartment and all maintenance requests should be addressed within seven days.

Set the tone for an amicable and professional relationship between you and your landlord from the day you sign the lease until the day you move-out. Not only do you want to get along with your landlord while you live in their apartments, you may also need them for a housing reference in the future.