Good manners when renting a property in Cyprus

All important details, big or small, must be spelled out in the contract. This is the only way to protect fr om conscienceless tenants or owners.

But some ethical details can and should be observed, even if they have no place in the contract! Because good relations between the two parties are the key to their peace of mind and comfortable communication.

How close should a landlord and a tenant be friends?

The relationship when renting a Cyprus property is primarily business. Therefore, excessive familiarity should not be allowed: this can only worsen the situation.

If your future tenant or landlord is a native Cypriot, you need to remember the following:

1. Like all southerners, Cypriots are quite open and emotional. You should not immediately adjust yourself to this emotionality and assertiveness, just be restrained, but extremely polite.
2. Even if you don't know Greek, learn the words of greeting and courtesy: good afternoon / evening ("kalimera" / "kalispera"), thank you ("efkharisto"), please ("parakalo"), sorry ("signomi"), goodbye ("yasu"), etc. This allows you to immediately tune in to a benevolent wave and communicate in a positive way.
3. Smile often, as smiling is very important in Cyprus.
4. When communicating, avoid haste as Cypriots have the principle of "siga-siga", and you simply will not understand each other. Even if you are a business person, take the time and energy to make the meetings calm and hasteless.
5. Get acquainted with your neighbors, if possible, keep a neutral and friendly relationship with them. Cyprus is a small communal island and people love to get to know each other.

Practically the same rules apply to foreign landlords (non-Cypriots). Friendliness, restraint and affability are the main tools for interaction between both parties. You can offer future tenants / owners coffee, ask how their children are doing or how their work is, congratulate them on a holiday.

Too close relationships are also not good as it puts both you and the other side in an uncomfortable situation. Of course, if you have a lot of sympathy, you can make friends - but do not forget about a few important points.

How to behave if the renter or landlord are friends?

Everything is determined by the degree of acquaintance. If the owner is a colleague of your relatives, a friend from your work, an unfamiliar person, you can behave with restraint and correctness, showing politeness in communication.

Another thing is if it is someone else's relative (especially a Cypriot) as family ties mean a lot in Cyprus. It is important to thank not only the direct participant for the real estate deal, but also their relative. It is pleasant for everyone if you "send greetings" and briefly ask some questions regarding the life of that relative. But at the same time, it is worth drawing a clear line, showing that there is a business relationship between you.

In cases of close relationship or long-term friendship, you must remember about the contract as you should not start renting out or renting housing without any agreement. The fact of the contract should not offend any party. Both parties must understand that the contract is an important part of the renting, regardless of the personal relations between the parties.

Can the landlord enter the apartment if tenants live there?

There is a lot of controversy over the question of whether the landlord can go inside and inspect their real estate in Cyprus if the owner wants to control, pick up a forgotten thing or show the housing to buyers (and even this happens!).

This is a really thorny issue that can be addressed in several ways:

1. If the owner definitely needs to control the premises condition, they inform about it before the deal, and then prescribe in the contract the permissible frequency of visits (for example, once a month from the 20th to the 27th, preliminary call is needed).
2. It is extremely inappropriate if the owner comes in in the absence of tenants. This is a real invasion of personal space. Tenants may insist on including a clause in the contract stating that the landlord undertakes not to come in the absence of tenants.
3. If the property is for sale, the tenants must agree (in the contract) periodic inspections of the real estate. Inspection should be conducted by Cyprus estate agents or the owner, but not by tenants.
4. The landlord and the tenant can verbally agree that in 3-4 weeks the owner will come in once and check the condition of the apartment.

As a rule, the last option is the most optimal. In a month the owner understands if the tenants are good, if the real estate doesn't have bad smells, if the tenants don't have problems with neighbors. If all is well, further visits become unnecessary, and both parties start living peacefully.

Good manners of a landlord

For both short-term and long-term rentals, it is important to understand one thing: housing isn't empty if you put it in order. The "long-term" housing has the same tenants for a long time, and the "short-term" one isn't vacant all the time.

Therefore, the main rule of owner's good manners is the cleanliness and good quality of the rented housing.

1. When the landlord displays, an apartment or house should look presentable. It's good if all personal belongings are put away in closets and a pleasant smell is in the air.
2. Before new tenants move in, it is vital to clean up everything: wipe off all the dust, tidy up the floor, empty the lockers. Dishes, plumbing, home appliances must be thoroughly washed. If so, the tenants will move into a clean apartment and will want to leave it in the same order when they move out.
3. You can put a vase with fresh flowers in honor of the arrival of new residents, tenants will undoubtedly be pleased.
4. It is advisable to leave not only your contacts, but also the contacts of a close relative or friend in case of an unforeseen situation.
5. A good option is to introduce newcomers to their neighbors. This will be not only polite but also helpful.
6. Residents will be pleased if the owner makes duplicate keys for all family members, or at least gives away three keys, leaving one spare copy for themselves. It is not very correct to give one key for the apartment to a family.
7. The owner must provide residents with emergency numbers and give advice regarding rent receipts (if the tenants pay receipts).
8. It is not forbidden if the landlord gives his tenants something pleasant for the holidays.

Another unspoken rule (which often, alas, does not work) is that in the first 1-2 weeks of newcomers' residence, it is advisable for the landlord to always stay in touch. On the days of check-in and a few days after, residents may naturally have questions, and it will be polite if they receive answers in a timely manner. For these purposes, you can use a messenger but not regular phone calls as it will be more convenient for both parties.

Good manners of a tenant

Being a good tenant is no less important task than being a good landlord. Of course, the cleanliness of the home and good condition of home appliances must be strictly observed as it is spelled out in the contract and in the attached inventory. Also, it is important to not make noise at night, which is also obvious.

Here are some things to overlook:

1. If someone comes to visit you, be sure to warn the property owner. This will be polite and might save you some confusion.
2. Chat with your neighbors, get to know them. If you want to have a party, warn them in advance and ask for forgiveness. This will save the owner from the hostile neighborly attitude towards him.
3. Make requests or ask questions as much as possible in advance: urgency always strains a person.
4. The contract usually specifies when the tenant must notify that he is moving to another location. But it is better to do this as early as possible as the owner will have time to mentally prepare and tune in.
5. Try not to leave unpleasant odors in the apartment as then the walls can start to smell bad, and this smell is very difficult to remove. Clean up after pets and take out the trash in a timely manner.
6. When leaving, you need to leave the apartment clean. Cleaning the whole housing is what shows your best side. Pay special attention to the kitchen, plumbing and toilet area. If you have animals, thoroughly clean all surfaces from wool.
7. Don't leave something broken when you move out. If you warn about a breakdown in advance, you will not have to clear up the conflict and waste your and the owner's nerves.
8. The owner will be pleased if you leave him a small present when you move out, in gratitude for the good relations.

So, it is quite obvious that it is better to establish good relations right away. Then it is easier to avoid conflicts, unnecessary hassle and stupid troubles.

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