Sec 8 gifts to tenants

Member since 2026 · 11 posts · 8 votes

I made a post earlier and someone said to gift tenants things for new/renewal leases. What gifts work best? Are there any other guerrilla marketing techniques to attract new tenants?

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Richard F.

Honolulu, HI · Member since 2008 · 3k+ posts · 2k+ votes

Strictly my personal opinion, but I believe that the fact my tax dollars are paying most of their rent is a sufficient "gift".

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Richard F.
Honolulu, HI · Member since 2008 · 3k+ posts · 2k+ votes
1d
Strictly my personal opinion, but I believe that the fact my tax dollars are paying most of their rent is a sufficient "gift".
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Mel White
Specialist · Redmond, WA · Member since 2026 · 3 posts · 0 votes
1d
Give me more details - demographic of your geographical area, etc. Look at your "competitors" in the area. What do they have that you don't? Can you play with what you think the dollar amount is of that? What do you have that they don't? Usually a yard or garage or free parking or other more "suburban" amenities can pull weight to the small landlord side and away from the larger multifamily.
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Marc Winter
Real Estate Broker · Northeast PA · Member since 2017 · 2k+ posts · 2k+ votes
1d
My Sec 8 lease up 'gifts' include a plastic 'drain hair snagger', a plunger, and some basic cleaning supplies. And instructions on how to use them.
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- Jules Aton
  MD/DC · Member since 2024 · 1k+ posts · 1k+ votes
  1d
  You cracked me up but yeah an excellent, practical strategy.
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Drew SygitBusiness Member
Property Manager · Royal Oak, MI · Member since 2012 · 12k+ posts · 9k+ votes
21h
Agree with @Richard F. that the gift of a roof over their heads should be enough!
To address your question though, since they're always broke and rarely think ahead, we've given a MoveIn Basket with:
Mop bucket of decent size, that also holds everything below
Roll of toilet paper
Roll of paper towels
Toilet brush
Dish soap
Bathroom soap
Shampoo
Floor cleaner
Etc.
All this is cheap at a dollar store!
To attract S8 voucher holders, we've seen local operators really "bribe" them with offers of:
Free TV
Free W/D (used)
Free internet for a year
Etc.
All of these are actually legal.
[email protected]248-209-6824
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Divin KanyamaBusiness Member
Accountant · Seattle, WA · Member since 2025 · 202 posts · 64 votes
17h
@Bill Vaughan Small, practical gifts usually go over best—things like a local grocery or hardware-store gift card, a simple move-in basket with household essentials, or a modest renewal credit for carpet cleaning or another approved service. It doesn’t have to be expensive to make tenants feel appreciated. Just keep the offer consistent for everyone so it stays fair.
For attracting new tenants, some of the simplest ideas can work really well: good photos, a quick video tour, fast responses, clear signage, and a referral incentive with a written policy. Building relationships with nearby employers, relocation contacts, and other property managers can also lead to quality referrals. In many cases, a clean, bright property and an easy application process will do more than a flashy giveaway.
At the end of the day, the gift is a nice touch, but the welcoming experience is what tenants are most likely to remember—and recommend to others.
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Leroy K. WilliamsPro Member
Property Manager · Southfield Mi · Member since 2018 · 182 posts · 171 votes
1h
The best gift you can give a tenant is a truly rent ready home which will pass the inspection. If your Section 8 rental is in a low income community the new tenant will likely have very little interest in trinkets. The biggest lure is a clean and functional property.

During showings tenant prospects will spend most of their time looking around the kitchen, bathrooms and utility areas where they will be washing clothes.

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