Silly question, which book (as a gift) for new tenant to read?

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Silly question, which book (as a gift) for new tenant to read?

Josue Vargas
Real Estate Agent · San Antonio, TX · Member since 2017 · 814 posts · 466 votes

Hello BP!

I will be in the process of renting my new property (Class A/B SFR) next month.

What things do you give as a gift and Welcoming package for new tenants (if any)?

I was thinking to buy a nice book with tips for home maintenance or something related to that, but I don't want them to think I'm pushing them to do maintenance that I should be doing.  

I remember when I was renting, landlord left in the house a bottle of wine, basket with fresh fruits, and some good magazines/brochures about things to do/entertainment, shopping information, and all other good stuff in the area.  It was a nice touch.  

Any tips on books or other stuff? 

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Dennis M.
Rental Property Investor · Erie, PA · Member since 2018 · 6k+ posts · 9k+ votes
7y

I welcome my tenants with a Walmart bag full of goodies on the counter to greet them usually consisting of ; a pack of Newport’s ,a bottle of mad dog ,some mouse traps ,flea and roach spray also a book entitled “how to pay your rent on time “

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  • Jim K.
    Handyman · Pittsburgh, PA · Member since 2018 · 5k+ posts · 13k+ votes
    7y

    @Josue Vargas

    The majority of people, especially those who rent houses, feel threatened by books and make it a habit not to read. Perhaps this didn't used to be as true as it is now. There's furthermore a magnificent chance that any gesture you make with a book about home maintenance will be interpreted as an undercover effort to tell your tenant that they're on their own if something goes wrong and not to call you. I know this sounds ridiculous but it happens. Tenants can make some seriously weird assumptions about how much of a monster their landlord is.

    On the other hand, a fruit basket and a bunch of local maps and web addresses for local services, yeah, that does sound nice. I may just steal that. 

    6Reply
  • Josue Vargas
    OP
    Real Estate Agent · San Antonio, TX · Member since 2017 · 814 posts · 466 votes
    7y
    Originally posted by @Jim K.:

    @Josue Vargas

    The majority of people, especially those who rent houses, feel threatened by books and make it a habit not to read. Perhaps this didn't used to be as true as it is now. There's furthermore a magnificent chance that any gesture you make with a book about home maintenance will be interpreted as an undercover effort to tell your tenant that they're on their own if something goes wrong and not to call you. I know this sounds ridiculous but it happens. Tenants can make some seriously weird assumptions about how much of a monster their landlord is.

    On the other hand, a fruit basket and a bunch of local maps and web addresses for local services, yeah, that does sound nice. I may just steal that. 

     Exactly my fear, I do not want them to think I will not take care of the property.  Is a 300K property and high rent, and I included about $100/month of maintenance in my analysis.  But then, any books?  The house have a nice landscaped backyard with an area for growing whatever vegetable/spices/flowers they want.  House comes with nice heavy-duty type smoker/BBQ pit.  Maybe a book of BBQing plus the wine?  Definitely will get the maps, shopping, etc.  There is so much in this location within 5 minutes! 

    Thanks! 

    0Reply
  • Jim K.
    Handyman · Pittsburgh, PA · Member since 2018 · 5k+ posts · 13k+ votes
    7y

    I would avoid the wine, too. Not everyone likes wine. For you it's an adult gift. For them it's nothing like that. First, the wine snobs can get really stupid about wine. And what are you supposed to do? Turn up with a $50 bottle to guard against the eventuality? Then you're judged by the beer people. Or the Scotch drinkers. There's no real winning with wine as a gift except at a dinner party.

    0Reply
  • Steve Vaughan
    Rental Property Investor · East Wenatchee, WA · Member since 2014 · 10k+ posts · 16k+ votes
    7y

    Maybe not a book, but a pamphlet about how to properly remove and re-install a window screen.

    What is up with renters and window screens anyway?   Did they all go to a class I don't know about? How to destroy, bend, scratch, scrape, tear and collapse window screens efficently. From the comfort of your own home. LOL 

    1Reply
  • Nathan GesnerBusiness Member
    Moderator
    Real Estate Broker · Cody, WY · Member since 2010 · 28k+ posts · 41k+ votes
    7y

    I give them a safe, comfortable home that lives up to the advertisement and treat them honestly and fairly.

    The DIY Landlord Book4.7247 Reviews
    WebsiteView Page
    9Reply
  • Jim K.
    Handyman · Pittsburgh, PA · Member since 2018 · 5k+ posts · 13k+ votes
    7y

    @Steve Vaughan

    I know, Steve. One of the great benefits of DIYing for us, it turned out this year. It's being rigorously enforced in our target area that every opening window has a lock and a screen. I have a tenant whose dog tore the screen of a new vinyl window and she was just incredibly worried until I repaired it in front of her with some spare nylon screening and a screen mouse roller to push the spline back in. It turns out her old landlady in a similar situation had brought out a contractor and made a lot of noise about replacing the whole vinyl window, and finally charged her $70.00 for an entire new screen frame shipped from the window manufacturer.

    Same landlady who ate my tenant's security deposit and had never heard of giving notice before banging on the door.

    1Reply
  • Jill F.
    Investor · Akron, OH · Member since 2016 · 2k+ posts · 4k+ votes
    7y

    What about a coffee table book like Ellen DeGeneres Home or Martha Stewart Entertaining?

    1Reply
  • Marian Smith
    Real Estate Investor · Williamson County, TX · Member since 2011 · 1k+ posts · 961 votes
    7y
    @Josue Vargas I leave a new shower curtain and rings, felt pads for under the furniture legs, furnace filters and a brand new roll of toilet paper on each holder. And my rentals are q-tip clean...something everyone appreciates.
    1Reply
  • Josue Vargas
    OP
    Real Estate Agent · San Antonio, TX · Member since 2017 · 814 posts · 466 votes
    7y
    Originally posted by @Marian Smith:
    @Josue Vargas I leave a new shower curtain and rings, felt pads for under the furniture legs, furnace filters and a brand new roll of toilet paper on each holder. And my rentals are q-tip clean...something everyone appreciates.

     Thanks, I was looking for something more oriented as gift, not something they necessarily need in the house to have for the normal day-to-day to have. 

    0Reply
  • Josue Vargas
    OP
    Real Estate Agent · San Antonio, TX · Member since 2017 · 814 posts · 466 votes
    7y
    Originally posted by @Jim K.:

    I would avoid the wine, too. Not everyone likes wine. For you it's an adult gift. For them it's nothing like that. First, the wine snobs can get really stupid about wine. And what are you supposed to do? Turn up with a $50 bottle to guard against the eventuality? Then you're judged by the beer people. Or the Scotch drinkers. There's no real winning with wine as a gift except at a dinner party.

     Ok, most adults with good taste of food will appreciate a somewhat good wine, especially in a 300K house.  I'm assuming they are grown adults and not kids.  But I get your point. If I leave a wine in your rental, and you don't like it, will you be offended?  You can give that away as a gift as well.  I don't see your point to be offended by that.  

    2Reply
  • Josue Vargas
    OP
    Real Estate Agent · San Antonio, TX · Member since 2017 · 814 posts · 466 votes
    7y
    Originally posted by @Steve Vaughan:

    Maybe not a book, but a pamphlet about how to properly remove and re-install a window screen.

    What is up with renters and window screens anyway?   Did they all go to a class I don't know about? How to destroy, bend, scratch, scrape, tear and collapse window screens efficently. From the comfort of your own home. LOL 

     LOL. OK, I may not find that book, but I know what you are saying.  If you do find the "how to repair the freaking window screen" let me know please! 

    1Reply
  • Maria McCreless
    Real Estate Agent · Tallahassee, FL · Member since 2017 · 135 posts · 67 votes
    7y
    0Reply
  • Jim K.
    Handyman · Pittsburgh, PA · Member since 2018 · 5k+ posts · 13k+ votes
    7y

    I live in the 'Burgh. Anyone who decides they need to rent a $300K house is automatically a chucklehead here. Once a landlord gets into leaving "a somewhat decent bottle of wine" and any sort of Martha Stewart branded product for a tenant (@Jill F. you made me laugh out loud), I just have to throw up my hands and walk away from all this aspirational parvenu nonsense.

    The very best wine I've had in my life was sold for ten euros for a 1.5 liter PET water bottle of it out of a big old glass νταμιτζάνα in my second cousin's buddy's shed on a tiny Greek island you've never heard of. Almost blew the top of my head off, it was so good. I have yet to pay more than $20 a bottle for wine in this country and not regret my completely wasted money.

    1Reply
  • Dennis M.
    Rental Property Investor · Erie, PA · Member since 2018 · 6k+ posts · 9k+ votes
    7y

    I welcome my tenants with a Walmart bag full of goodies on the counter to greet them usually consisting of ; a pack of Newport’s ,a bottle of mad dog ,some mouse traps ,flea and roach spray also a book entitled “how to pay your rent on time “

    10Reply
  • Jill F.
    Investor · Akron, OH · Member since 2016 · 2k+ posts · 4k+ votes
    7y
     @Dennis M.:

    I welcome my tenants with a Walmart bag full of goodies on the counter to greet them usually consisting of ; a pack of Newport’s ,a bottle of mad dog ,some mouse traps ,flea and roach spray also a book entitled “how to pay your rent on time “

      You should add some air freshener to hide the marijuana smell

    @Jim K. LOL ...He said it was a high end rental-- I don't have any of those. Anyways, I always liked Martha...and I'd rent to her even with her felony conviction ;)

    1Reply
  • Thomas S.
    Member since 2016 · 13k+ posts · 12k+ votes
    7y

    I never give tenants gifts, gifts are reserved for family. If anything tenants should be giving their landlords a gift for having allowed them the privilege of living in the property.

    Gifts for tenants...that's funny.

    6Reply
  • Jimmy Deringer
    Real Estate Agent · Spokane, WA · Member since 2013 · 123 posts · 66 votes
    7y

    @Josue Vargas

    Just don’t give them “rich dad poor dad” or they’d find away to get into a lease to own contract and own your property in a couple years! :)

    4Reply
  • Jim K.
    Handyman · Pittsburgh, PA · Member since 2018 · 5k+ posts · 13k+ votes
    7y

    @Jill F. Doing my taxes for 2018. I'm in the Home Depot Seeds program -- they send me stuff for free and I write reviews on it. The only negative is that I have to pay taxes on it as hobby income. So every year, I go over things and pull website prices on it for the Schedule E.

    Well, one of the things that Home Depot sent me was a 25-pack of Martha Stewart Living "Classic Farmhouse" drawer pulls, big ones (the Home Depot SKU is 307791092). Current price is $181.  That's $7.24 per drawer pull.

    What kind of psychological affliction would make a person pay that much money for a handle to open a drawer with? What hold does this lying, cheating, conspiring felon have over so many people's imagination? Maybe it wouldn't bother me so much if I didn't have to pay taxes on the Martha Stewart effect and those handles cost a more reasonable buck-fifty or so each.

    2Reply
  • Bob B.
    Investor · Jasper GA · Member since 2015 · 1k+ posts · 1k+ votes
    7y

    I 'm with

    @Nathan Gesner except I might give them a toilet plunger.  Did the power company give you a gift?  Take care of problems when they pop up and enforce the lease.  I'm on good terms with my tenants, but we don't hang out together.  

    2Reply
  • Matt M.
    Specialist · Easton, PA · Member since 2018 · 1k+ posts · 2k+ votes
    7y

    @Josue Vargas

    I give my tenants the gift of a nice, freshly painted, safe place to live, in return for them hopefully paying me each month.

    The only gift I ever give is a $50 referral if they send me a good person and I end up renting to that person, or a referral for my home improvement business.

    0Reply
  • Colleen F.Pro Member
    Investor · Narragansett, RI · Member since 2013 · 8k+ posts · 4k+ votes
    7y

    A little move in basket with some of the following :  assorted felt furniture protectors for the wood floor, a sponge, cleaner for a glass top stove if there is one, a small bottle of hand soap,  a couple of packets of dishwasher detergent, maybe a dishtowel, and a roll of paper towels,  windex or such.  Practical not over the top, and saves your place. I absolutely always include the felt furniture pads, the stove top cleaner if applicable,  and the plunger because they help me.

    1Reply
  • James Wise
    Real Estate Broker · Cleveland Dayton Cincinnati Toledo Columbus & Akron, OH · Member since 2013 · 31k+ posts · 20k+ votes
    7y
    Originally posted by @Josue Vargas:

    Hello BP!

    I will be in the process of renting my new property (Class A/B SFR) next month.

    What things do you give as a gift and Welcoming package for new tenants (if any)?

    I was thinking to buy a nice book with tips for home maintenance or something related to that, but I don't want them to think I'm pushing them to do maintenance that I should be doing.  

    I remember when I was renting, landlord left in the house a bottle of wine, basket with fresh fruits, and some good magazines/brochures about things to do/entertainment, shopping information, and all other good stuff in the area.  It was a nice touch.  

    Any tips on books or other stuff? 

     No gifts our communication outside of what is necessary to properly get the tenant moved into the home. Keep the relationship as black & white as possible. Stick to the facts & the facts only. Personal relationships or anything of the sort with tenants should never be attempted.

    1Reply
  • Account Closed
    Lender · Pensacola, FL · Member since 2017 · 658 posts · 626 votes
    7y
    Originally posted by @Dennis M.:

     . . . a book entitled “how to pay your rent on time “

    There's a YouTube video for that: First Time Renter Tips: How to Keep Your Landlord Happy

    0Reply
  • Chris Martin
    Investor · Willow Spring, NC · Member since 2009 · 5k+ posts · 3k+ votes
    7y

    I'm trying for constructive feedback here... The obvious: your post says "...(Class A/B SFR)...." If this was posted under STR and not SFR, and you said BnB instead of SFR, then you would get a completely different answer.

    I think you need to analyze your customer profile(s) and accurately respond to their actions (paying you) based on business and market knowledge. The 'welcome' idea is a very good one, and your prior landlord CLEARLY left an impression since you acknowledge that it "was a nice touch." Call your old landlord and FIND OUT what he knows. Maybe he knows something about your market (assuming it's in the same market as your rental) that will give you a significant edge. It costs you nothing to inquire. 

    0Reply
  • Nicole Duncan
    Member since 2019 · 4 posts · 1 vote
    7y

    @Josue Vargas

    I think wine or champagne is always a nice touch. Don’t listen to the naysayers and be a nice landlord! I always like to give a welcome basket & change out the door wreath for seasons etc, it’s a nice touch I think. I give them 3M tabs for mounting pictures also which saves your walls especially if you have plaster !

    0Reply
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