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.
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 “
@Josue Vargas. You put in your posts “if any” so I’ll comment and say none. Don’t buy your tenants gifts of any kind ever. Not at holidays, not at birthdays not ever.
People struggle evicting tenants they become friends with and then get taken advantage of. You know who you don’t have problems evicting? Tenants you didn’t become friends with.
I like the idea of leaving cleaning products in a basket for new tenants. When they see it likely their first reaction will be...Oh look honey our new landlords thinks we are filthy pigs incapable of keeping the place clean.
Keep in mind all tenants secretly resent their landlord.
@Thomas S. Your tenants would probably think you were commenting on their cleanliness AFTER they recovered from shock. Mine are appreciative and just say thank you.
Yes, Thomas many tenants resent their landlords and I can see why. Last week my son had to ask his landlord to install a door knob the landlord only did it after the landlord himself had to use a screw driver to get out. Some landlords are just bad.
Although is fine to deliver a clean, functional property and no more but the OP wanted to do more on move in, my thought is link it to the property. I would not do a book unless it a Chamber of Commerce brochure/ local map.
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
Part of the problem is when you are removing screens from the outside because you forgot your keys. Screens come out better from the inside. The holes are a mystery to me. One tenant explained it as, "well we were here for five years" so I guess a hole in every screen is then expected? In 20 years I have never poked a hole in any screen, so I am not even sure how it happens.
@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.
Have you ever moved into a new home, sat on the toilet and realized there was no toilet paper!! A lot of good a bottle of champagne does them in that case. Or a Martha Stewart book or any of the other silly things people give to tenants.
Light bulbs, furnace filters, paper towels in the kitchen, toilet paper, door entry rugs, shower curtain, mini blinds, or any other USEFUL items that are often forgotten will be appreciated.
For some of you that not understood what I was asking, some clarifications here:
1. I will provide a clean house and up to the standards, not to be confused that new Tenant need to clean the property at move-in or do maintenance other than what is established in the Lease.
2. I do not want or ever thought about being a friend of a Tenant. I had lots of tenants in the past and never had this issue before of a Tenant wanted to be my "friend". The majority of them had been great Tenants, with of course, some exceptions.
3. I was referring in the original post to leave something at MOVE-IN as a "Welcoming package", nothing special or gifts for holiday season or anything like that. Some of you got that twisted along the way.
4. I will probably leave a things-to-do book/brochures, maps with shopping areas, etc. I might add to that the Command hanging hooks, extra light bulbs, and heavy duty sink and toilet plunger.
@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.
Have you ever moved into a new home, sat on the toilet and realized there was no toilet paper!! A lot of good a bottle of champagne does them in that case. Or a Martha Stewart book or any of the other silly things people give to tenants.
Light bulbs, furnace filters, paper towels in the kitchen, toilet paper, door entry rugs, shower curtain, mini blinds, or any other USEFUL items that are often forgotten will be appreciated.
I disagree a Martha Stewart book would be incredibly useful in this instance, perhaps more useful than it otherwise could have been.