Quick question...Do any of you do anything above and beyond for your tenants?

Question

For instance, we give a gift card at Christmas as a Thank-You for being great tenants. When I have a new tenant move in I like to make sure they have the local phone book, recycling/garbage schedule and other local info (restaurants and such) I also like to get a small plant to welcome them.

We have some long term tenants that really take great care of our properties and we like to say thanks to them, I was told by a senior that lives in a unit that the gift card I gave her at Christmas fed her for a week! It wasn't much but she doesn't go out much and this allowed her some prepared meals and leftovers.

Just curious to see what other landlords do.

Have a great day!

Jeff B. · Answer

I started a quarterly newsletter for my 4plex, give info on issues, events, city changes (water rates, recycle centers, et.al.), any issues that occurred onsite and a lesson can be learned I try to share, this educates my tenants and education comes at a price, this is my value I give. I use to give them a monetary gift, but my land lording is a gift compared to other landlords so I don't need to sugar coat it anymore than what I already do. What I have noticed is my tenants have started to pick up around the landscape and are acting with more pride than in the past.

Richard C. · Answer

I don't include snow removal in the rent, but when there is a bad storm I go by each place and stop and help out if they are shoveling.I go way out of my way to respect the fact that while it is my house, it is their home. I give lots of notice when I need to do anything, I don't bug them or snoop around.

Marcus Curtis · Answer

Everything with me is by the books. My view is if you do anything "above-and-beyond" for one resident you must do the same for all. A simple letter thanking them for their continued tenancy around the Holidays is a simple and inexpensive gesture but only if you are doing it for all. The one thing I started doing two years ago is stocking the fridge with bottled water, the freezer with two pizzas, a custom pizza cutter with my contact information on it and a roll of paper towels. For units with dishwashers, I provide a small bucket of dishwasher detergent pods with a warning not to use regular dish soap in the machines. You would be surprised by how many times residents were unaware that dish soap was not for the dishwasher. I do this for everyone.The key I think is to do it routinely for everyone no matter the circumstances. One of the worst accusations that a Landlord can receive is that they are playing favorites. It is a discrimination case just waiting to happen.

Marcia Maynard · Answer

@Tina C. Check out this BP forum thread on the same topic...Titled "What is Something Nice I Can Do for Apartment Tenants." A great thread of good ideas there also.http://www.biggerpockets.com/forums/432/topics/139...

Corby Goade · Answer

Just last month, we had four new tenants move in. I don't usually do anything, but my wife went to the dollar store and put together a simple housewarming basket for each of them. Hand towels, paper towels, toilet paper, a couple snacks, a toy for the dog etc. The tenants were ecstatic and it only cost us about $20 each. It was a great way to start the relationship.

Gail K. · Answer

Each house has a new roll of toilet paper, at least one bar of soap in each bathroom, a small bottle of dishwashing liquid in the kitchen, a roll of paper towels and (for houses with a dishwasher) a small box of dishwasher detergent pods. At least six bottles of water in the fridge.I figured toilet paper was important until the tenants could find theirs during unpacking!When we only had a few houses, I used to give $50 gift cards at Christmas but with 16 rental properties, I no longer do this. In addition, doing so never did a thing to keep a whiney tenant happy nor keep anyone from staying longer.Gail

Ursula B. · Answer

I send Christmas cards with small Target gift cards. This year I've included birthday cards for the adults and kids (because what 8 year old doesn't like to get mail?!?). Our tenants are low maintenance and pay on time, so we like to show our appreciation.

Chris K. · Answer

Thank you for this nugget. It's something i've never thought of and probably wouldn't have mentioned when I'm renting out a unit with a dishwasher. I will make sure to add this to the list of things go over with them when I do the walk thru with them.

Michele Fischer · Answer

I just started sending birthday cards with a $5 Starbucks or Wendy's bucks included for the adults with birthdays on the rental application, and plan to send Christmas cards with a pizza gift card starting this year. At move in we provide a new welcome mat and cutting board.