What should I do? Late Payment good tenant

[Christian Bors]

So here's the situation.

I inherited this tenant, let call her tenant A, when I first purchased the property back in July. It’s a triplex, I live there myself and rent the other two units. This is my first property and it has been great (living for free)! Anyways, tenant A has been great. She hasn’t complained and if there has been a small issue, I resolved it very quickly. She has also paid rent on time every month except for December. So on the forums, I came across someone who said for Christmas they give their tenants a $25 gift card if the tenant has paid on time and there hasn’t been any problems. I love this idea. I figured with both my tenants, I would do that since they have been great tenants. I have not had any issues and they both have been paying on time. Anyways, I go on vacation the first week of December so I tell the tenants please hold the checks until I return. When I returned, tenant A asked if I could hold off until Dec. 12th . I returned on the 8th. I enforced the late fee, which she understood. She paid the fee and we moved on. Well, for Christmas I gave tenant B who has never been late a $25 gift card. Now, friends and family are saying I am being too tough on the tenant A. They think I should still give her a gift card. My argument is why I should reward someone for bad behavior? I really like this tenant but if I give her a gift the month she was late, what happens next year? Say if she is late a couple of months. She will still expect a gift card for Christmas.

What are your thoughts? What should I do?

[BOB MARTIN]

First mistake is giving tenant B a gift card. If A and B talk, then you just opened a whole new can of worms. You should have just not have charged tenant A a late fee if this was the first time. Just make sure that they understand that they will have to pay late fee if rent is late in the future. I don't give my tenants presents. I just take care of repair issues in a timely manner. They appreciate that. But you better treat all tenants the same. Regardless. There are laws against discriminating against tenants. That's my opinion. To each his own.