How to be a great renter and neighbor in four easy steps

Looking to get on your landlord's good side and maybe even land some perks to make home-sweet-home even sweeter? It's easier than you might think!

Landlords try hard to keep excellent tenants from moving – and if that's you, it can work to your advantage. That's because renting an apartment is a lot like buying a new car. There's room for negotiation that can translate to benefits like extra storage space, free gym use or covered parking. And even if you don't score any extras, just having a good relationship with your landlord will greatly boost your happiness with your place.

Landlords tell us the tenants they prize most:

1) Care for the space as if you owned it. The damage deposits required to rent an apartment are there for a reason. People can and do trash apartments – soiled carpets, never-scrubbed showers, nail holes all over the walls, mystery odors nobody wants to think about, unfixed leaks that create a mold farm under the sink. Landlords face move-out nightmares more often than you'd think.

If you want to make improvements like painting or replacing closet doors, always get permission first. You'll win points for keeping the place as new-looking as you found it.

2) Respect neighbors and common areas. If you see trash scattered in a common area, pick it up (if it's safe to do so) rather than calling in a complaint. Make sure your dog leaves no trace after visiting the pet area. If you notice a safety hazard like a burned-out security light, broken stair railing, or potential illegal activity, don't just assume it will get solved. Politely let your landlord know before someone gets hurt.

If you're planning an event like a graduation party, give your landlord plenty of notice and, if possible, use clubhouse facilities so your celebration won't disturb neighbors. And speaking of neighbors, a friendly wave and greeting go a long way in keeping things cordial among the people with whom you're sharing your walls.

3) Play by the rules. If the rent is due on the first of the month, make sure your payment is received before the last business day of the preceding month. Is 10 p.m. the agreed building quiet time? Don't allow guests to continue tromping up and down the stairs or reveling on your deck. If the building doesn't allow pets, don't name your new cat "Goldfish" and sneak her in, anyway.

4) Don't create drama. No landlord wants to end up in the middle of a spat between neighbors. Don't confuse inconveniences (a one-off incident with someone parking in your spot) with problems that really do need management intervention.

They also don't want to explain rules you should have known if you'd have read your lease agreement.

Always share information, observations and concerns in a constructive, upbeat way. If there's a residents' association, join it so you can work together with neighbors and the landlord to create positive solutions.

Another way to be a good tenant? Get renter insurance even if it's not required by your complex. It protects your belongings and covers you for liability if you accidentally damage someone else's property (hello, overflowing bathtub) or someone gets injured in your home. Use the GO PEMCO app, visit pemco.com or call your local PEMCO agent or 1-800-GO-PEMCO to find out how affordable it is – especially if you bundle it with your auto insurance.