Professional vs friendly landlording.

[Faustin Hoover]

I'm sure most of you prefer to keep your relationship with tenants professional. Kind of a dumb question but I was just curious as I am working on buying my 1st one. On a major holiday like Christmas for a lot of people. Do you run any specials a far as rent prices or anything? Do you give tenants a break and take a little off for the month or possibly send them a gift card. Showing your gratitude for them being good tenants? I'm sure if you have 100 doors no you wouldn't but if you only have one or 2 is this something you would do or just keep it professional and don't do anything for the holidays. Thank you.

[Benjamin Aaker]

Landlord with > 100 doors chiming in. I don't do a gift around Christmas. Humbug, you may say.

I like that you are showing kindness to them, but if you do it 'for being good tenants' you are now making a subjective decision that could be deemed discrimination. Also, not everyone celebrates Christmas. Everyone should get the same kindness at any point in the year. Here's a better way to celebrate your tenants:

Think of a few improvements that you could do to the units: landscaping, painting, new foosball table, barbecue dinner, etc. Make sure it is in your budget. Do one of those things and send them all a letter stating how you enjoy having them live in your property and you wanted to give back. Better yet, you could give them a few options or ask them to vote on their preferred improvement. This will be a crowd-pleaser and accomplish your goal of being a friendly landlord.