It’s a beautiful day in the neighborhood, a beautiful day for a ... what was that? The guy upstairs is blasting Linkin Park again? Oh man, the property manager is knocking on the door because rent is late? You need to hide the cat? And your cousin who’s not on the lease?

Not a beautiful day in any neighborhood, and perhaps one that can be avoided all together.

Three area property mangers offer some advice on how to get along well with both them and your neighbors. Mostly, it takes common sense, agree Michelle Phillips at Chatsworth Apartments, Sandy Johnson at Broadmoor Apartments and Angie Bridger at Northwest Terrace Apartments.

And that common sense will serve you well long before you ever sign your lease.

So the first tip?

“Read your lease before you sign it,” Ms. Phillips says. “Understand what you’re signing.”

The same is recommended by Missouri Attorney General Jay Nixon, who explains landlord-tenant law at ago.mo.gov. Check there for more details on basic lease provisions and questions to ask before signing.

“When a lease is signed by both parties, it becomes a binding legal contract,” the Web site says. “If any party does not fulfill the terms of the lease, the person who defaults can be sued, which can be expensive. A tenant is not excused from honoring a lease simply because he does not understand it or did not read it.”

For instance, “When is rent due?” Ms. Bridger says. And what happens if it’s not paid on time?

Often, Ms. Johnson says, residents aren’t aware that they need to give 30 days written notice before terminating the lease.

Also, usually there are house rules added on, which vary from property to property.

Know those rules. Should you be blasting Linkin Park at 1 a.m.? Should you even have a cat? Do you know you need to add your cousin on to the lease if he’s staying?

“If you have questions,” Ms. Phillips says, “ask, ‘cause it’s a legal, binding contract.”

Once you’ve read and signed your lease, and you’re all moved in, another tip the property managers have is to pay your rent on time. Seems like common sense, right?

“It makes a manager’s life a lot less aggravating when you don’t have to chase rent,” Ms. Phillips says.

And often, Ms. Johnson says, people don’t realize how big a problem it can be.

“... If you’re late with your car payment, you’re gonna pay the late fees,” she says.

The same goes with your rent.

Another tip — remember the golden rule.

Apartment buildings are often close quarters, and you don’t have to be all “Melrose Place” about where you live, but you should make every effort to show respect to those who live around you.

And actually, Ms. Johnson says, Broadmoor is pretty quiet these days.

“Everybody seems to be getting along well for a change,” she says. “I have no problems here.”

And that’s best, Ms. Phillips says, for everyone. Property managers don’t want to be police.

“We’re kind of seen as evil people,” Ms. Phillips says. “But we just have a job to do.”

And the happier everyone is, the longer they stay, the less those units have to be vacant and rented out again, the better.

So, to sum up: “Just know what you’re signing,” Ms. Johnson says. “Be courteous of your neighbors, obey the rules and everyone will be happy. Including me.”

Lifestyles reporter Kristen Hare can be reached at kristenhare@npgco.com.