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Updated almost 3 years ago, 01/01/2022
Welcome gift for a new Tenant?
I want to start off on the right foot and was thinking of getting a gift for my new tenant.
Has anyone here done this if so do you have ideas for what to get them?
I like to get pizza delivered when they are moving in. Makes the people doing the actual move a little happier they got roped into moving someone else.
Thanks was looking to do something a little more personal.
hand written note from scrap booking materials and some homemade lemon tarts?
Rich Baer Im not sure what type of houses you rent out or how much screening you do. But I do a lot and I like like to offer a thank you gift for moving in and signing a 1 year lease.
25$ would not be that much and you say it will make them think they have the upper hand.
I disagree it will make them think oh wow I have never had this done by a landlord before that was thoughtful of him to do so.
I'm going to have to agree with @Rich Baer on this one. This is a business and nothing personal. When was the last time you received a gift from you mortgage company? I do applaud you for thinking of it but it's something I would not consider.
I plan to get a welcome gift for whoever moves into my property I'm trying to rent right now. I was thinking of doing stuff that would be useful like paper towels, toilet paper, trash bags, a shower curtain, etc. I feel like these are some things that people might forget on move-in day and it could save them a trip to the store. I know my idea is boring but it's cheap since I can buy all that stuff at Dollar Tree and if the situation were reversed I'd find that useful on move-in day. I would also like to add something more personal in there so I am looking forward to reading some of the suggestions you get!
Rocky V.
Thanks for your feedback. But I bet if your mortgage company did you would remember them did and probably even recommend them if they did.
I think it sounds like a great idea. I would try to get something that's either very popular in the area or something the area is known for. As for the others who are saying run it like a business I'd say that without tenants there is no business. The biggest drains on your investment are vacancy and turnover so if a $20 gift solves that go for it. Hotels give complimentary breakfasts and leave chocolates, etc.
Amanda McGuigan
Great suggestion! Only thing I see trouble with is finding out what they have and don't have already.
Patrick O.
Yep that's exactly my thought.
@Peter G. There are some landlords who don't care about getting to know their tenants anything beyond collecting their rent, but I am not one of them and it sounds like you aren't either. I have been contemplating this very thing. Pizza on move in day is always appreciated. Another idea is a move in basket of hand soap, paper towels, and toilet paper. Some people I've heard even throw in a cheapo clear shower liner. It's just a token to let them know you care and appreciate them. Another option is simply a $25 gift card to Walmart or Home Depot. People always need to go pick something up for the new place.
When we renew, we offer them an upgrade and give them a choice of one of three things. They usually don't cost much to us, but it gives them something new and upgrades our property at the same time. Things like a new bathroom faucet, new light fixture, or painting their front door. Being a human with a heart is not a bad thing. You can still enforce your lease if the time comes.
Peter G. That's why I said to go to Dollar Tree if you have one in your area. If you buy something they already have, you only wasted a dollar. Plus they're always going to need more toilet paper and paper towels. The shower curtain isn't just something you're adding in to be nice. If they move in and don't have a shower curtain, they are likely to shower anyways and just get water all over the bathroom which could damage your floors.
I believe it is a good idea and recently did it with a new tenant.
I have an employee that likes to bake custom cookies, so she made some cookies that looked like houses with ""Welcome" and "Home" on them. They were dropped off anonymously.
Being a landlord is like being a business owner and tenants are your customers. Why not give them a little extra customer service? Maybe they'll think twice about trashing your house.
Peter G. Hi Peter. I think you're doing a tremendous thing here. I plan to do the same thing once I buy my first property. The apartment complex I currently live in does the same for their tenants. I love it here. When I moved in, I got candy, pens, a planner, and a welcome note. They even do stuff for your birthday. Yeah, they are that wonderful. So, I think the fact that you want to do anything at all says a lot. Kudos.
@Peter G. I am in favour of housewarming gifts for tenants on moving in. I always give them a handwritten card welcoming them to their new home. I have used a variety of gifts, all of them relatively small but all seem to have been appreciated. They are also a pleasant surprise for tenants who are used to receiving nothing beyond what is absolutely necessary from prior landlords. My most recent tenant who moved in last weekend received a $20 gift card for the wine store. I gave a tenant who is a retired librarian a $20 gift card for a bookstore. I have given orchids from Costco when they have them in. I gave a tenant a $25 McDonalds card to help buy lunch for him and a friend on moving day (there was a McDonalds over the road). I have also showed up on moving day with a dozen doughnuts and a big take out container of coffee (Tim Hortons, eh). These are small things but they can help start a positive relationship.
The fact of the matter is that these tenants could cost you a lot of money and create a great deal of aggravation if they put their mind to it. It is infinitely preferable to have a strong working relationship with your tenants than to have a poor relationship that is liable to become much worse in case of difficulty. If something goes wrong with the unit, if maintenance is unavoidably delayed or some such, things will be a lot easier if you start off on an amicable basis. Plus, this is what a decent person would do. Moving is stressful, a welcome helps give the sense that it was worth it and that they were right in their decision to rent from you. There are a lot of hard nosed landlords out there, and some of them frequent this site. I prefer to run my business on the basis that people are basically good and that you can reach them.
My rentals are near a university and for most/many of my tenants it's their very first non-dorm apartment. I usually go to the dollar store and spend $15-20 and get a roll of toilet paper, paper towels, dish soap, can opener, some of those popcorn containers and microwave popcorn, a potholder, a kitchen towel, some cleaning supplies (hint, hint), a couple of the picture holders I like them to use, some kitchen trashbags, and a card. I handwrite a short welcome note including my phone number , website and the best way to notify me should maintenance issues arise. I put the gift and apartment key in a cabinet and suprise them when we finish the move in walk through.
The only 'gift' we leave is a refrigerator/freezer thermometer in the fridge so new tenants can get the fridge and freezer set right especially after we turn it to barely on when the unit is empty for a bit. We had a lot of 'fridge doesn't work' calls only to find the fridge and freezer set to warmest setting and tenants pretending to be ignorant of how to use a fridge. Leaving the thermometer seems to make encourage folks to adjust it themselves. Since every tenant has taken the thermometer with them, I guess they are gifts that we give out.
If a unit is empty for a bit and a new tenant is not lined up, I usually buy a dollar store toilet brush and plunger if I find a unit doesn't have one when turned over. That way if there is an accidental clog I'm prepared and there is a brush handy to do a quick clean on the toilet if needed. I leave those in place along with making sure there is a roll or two of toilet paper and paper towels to dry hands. I leave the flyers or menus for the local pizza and chinese food places that I know are good/reliable (a lot of pop up pizza places in our area that fail).
I do like the idea of cookies - need to find a cookie lady to help us with that.
There are some psychological studies that show that if you do a small favor for someone initially (cant remember the specifics of the study if it was prompted or unprompted), they are more likely to do a larger favor when you ask a return favor.
Tried this in real life once and it worked pretty well. I knew I was going to have a pretty significant car repair bill to rebuild the front end (suspension and steering components). The mechanic spent time helping me figure out what I needed and he even let me buy the parts online to save some money. When my jeep was done, I brought him a 12 pack of beer as a thank you for the guidance and support. It came time to pay the bill and with a little negotiation, I was able to get the hourly rate down $10 an hour and he took an hour of labor off the bill. Ended up saving me over $500. That 12 pack of beer was definitely a good investment.
I've received gifts from my realtor and mortgage broker after a purchase. I receive a birthday greeting and coupon for an ice cream cone every year from my insurance agent. I receive periodic customer appreciation gifts from my credit union. Helps secure my loyalty and I like the personal touch.
Move-in gifts make the move-in process more interesting and tenants really seem to appreciate them. Most of our move-in gifts relate to the terms in the rental agreement. It's one thing to tell a tenant to use a cutting board to protect the counter tops, even better to start them out with one!
On move-in day, we put protective paper down over the carpet traffic areas and provide the use of our moving blankets, moving dolly, shoe covers, and picture hanging tools.
When we go over the rental agreement and property rules, we present an array of move-in gifts. Mostly items for getting started in their home and items to help them take care of the place.
Here's what we give new tenants.....
Cleaning Bucket with Cleaning Supplies: white vinegar, baking soda, awesome degreaser, cleaning disinfectant wipes, carpet spot cleaner, magic eraser, all purpose cleaner, scrub sponge.
Tote Bag with Useful Items and Tools: hand soap, paper towels, plastic garbage bags, toilet paper, toilet plunger, Zip-It (strip for clearing hair clogs from drains), plastic clothes hangers, shower curtain liner (good quality cloth one), laundry detergent, dish soap/dish detergent, cutting board, "Freeze the Grease, Save the Drain" kit, “Recycle” tote, magnet with our name and contact information.
Refreshments In the Fridge: several bottles of water, snack food, bottle of sparking cider with a welcome note attached.
Not necessary. The fact that you chose them as your tenant is your gift.
How about a year supply of deposit slips or pre-posted envelopes as a gift?
I don't give gifts per se. I do give welcome packages though which I feel is helpful and shows them that I care about them as a landlord. I get a couple rolls of paper towels toilet paper trash bags and a 12 pack of bottled water. The basic essentials so when someone's moving in and they forget something they could still use the sink or the toilet and not be concerned. Since I buy everything in bulk, it only amounts to a couple dollars but it does go a long way and the tenants always appreciate it
I'd rather my tenants fear and respect me. Gifts (in my opinion) show that you will do anything to please them and they are more likely to skip rent, "forget" checks in the mail, and they'll see you as the "chill/cool" landlord.