There is a distinction noticed by most rental property managers in San Diego. There is a sense in which a tenant just occupies the unit. The resident considers the apartment complex home. As property management San Diego, it is your job to seek out residents.
It is not difficult to predict differences in attitudes and behavior between the two. The resident's unit is clean, in good repair and suffers little damage over time, other than normal wear and tear. The tenant's unit is not well maintained and after moving out, significant repairs have to be made. The resident helps care for the entire complex, occasionally picking up trash that doesn't belong to him or her and pulling a weed or two just because it makes everything look better. The tenant uses the complex but doesn't contribute beyond what is required.
The resident respects the rights of other tenants; either keeps to oneself or gets along well with others, and has a vested interest in the quality of future residents. The tenant plays loud music, parks carelessly, litters, and has conflicts with others. The resident stays in the complex for a long time, usually years. The tenant stays a much shorter time, usually months.
Since having your share of the two types of occupants is unavoidable, you must learn to deal with both. Be fair and always keep your promises to all tenants for legal reasons, to keep your tenants happy, and because it’s just the right thing to do.