New Bedford, MA · Member since 2015 · 361 posts · 114 votes
Just getting into being a landlord, own 2 units currently. First time coming up on one of my tenant's birthday. What do you guys do (if anything) for them?
Card? Gift card? Text? Anything?
I am a hands on landlord (not a slum lord) so I want to do something simple, but effective, to let my tenants know I care about their well-being (major value of mine!)
Rental Property Investor · Sioux Falls, SD · Member since 2015 · 9k+ posts · 18k+ votes
10y
@Robert P. you will find some very heartless landlords here on BP. Some have probably already responded on this post. Some speak of their tenants in belittling tone. I don't agree with that, but I also think you can go overboard with tenants. Friending them on Facebook or socially interacting for example is a big mistake. Gifts are unnecessary and can actually backfire. It can create the perception that you have excess money.
I treat my tenants with respect, but I would never even consider mailing a birthday card. Focus all your energy on being responsive to problems. Tenants want a landlord that will get a broken toilet fixed quickly. I don't think a birthday card will gain any good will.
Investor · Redmond, WA · Member since 2016 · 169 posts · 58 votes
10y
I'd recommend against it, keep it strictly a business relationship, as soon as you start being friends with them they will start asking for leniency in paying rent. Speaking from experience, I wouldn't go there.