3. If you’re not going to be able to pay your rent in full or you’ve had a change in employment that could affect your ability to pay rent.

Being upfront and notifying your landlord or property manager as soon as you know you might not be able to pay rent in full the better. Sometimes, your landlord will have you sign a payment arrangement and agree to a payment schedule to avoid starting an eviction which can lead to additional fees being added to your amount due.

4. If you’d like to make any modifications to the property you’re renting.

Maybe you want to paint a room, install a ceiling fan, or plant a garden in your backyard. Whatever it is, you should get permission from your landlord or property manager first in writing before doing it. While many tenants consider things improvements, landlords sometimes view them as additional things that will need to be maintained at an additional cost after you move and may not be as enthusiastic about it.

5. If you need to move out before the end of your lease.

Things happen and sometimes tenants cannot stay until the end of their lease. Reaching out as soon as possible is in your best interest. Maybe the owner wants to sell or knows someone that wants to move into the property and mutually agreed to end the lease early without any penalty. Or maybe the fees for terminating your lease early are lower if you can find or know of someone who is willing to replace you as a tenant in the lease (they will still probably need to be qualified and apply). Being upfront with your landlord throughout your tenancy is going to make renting a better experience for you and will help your chances or your landlord giving you a good landlord reference which you might need to rent your next home. When in doubt, reach out to your landlord.