Attention, Renters: Here’s What Your Landlord Wishes You Knew

Brevity is the soul of a successful tenant

When owners post a unit for rent, they don’t have time to answer a constant stream of queries following the initial “I’m interested” missive—nor do they really want to. “Don’t pester me with repeated phone calls,” says David Olson (not his real name), who manages five rental units in the West End of Portland, Maine. “Prospective tenants should follow up with a single email, and that’s it.” Here are the things a real estate agent won’t tell you.