Reward Tenant for Upgrading Property?

[Scott J.]

Good morning fellow BPers.

I have a unit where I've rented to the same gal for 3 years. She has been an ideal tenant--very clean and rent is always on time. Two months ago her boyfriend moved in who is an architect. He asked to do lots of upgrades to the inside of the unit, which usually makes me very hesitant. Although, after he helped me use his table saw to cut some screen doors I saw how meticulous he was.

He asked to install new cabinets throughout the kitchen. He has friends in the cabinet business who would give him the materials and he would do the install himself (ie. no charge to me). Well, I let him install the cabinets and they are beautiful. I mean perfect... I couldn't find a flaw.

Should I reward him in some small way, such as $100 off a month's rent? Or just thank him and leave it as mutually beneficial work.

What do you think gang?

PS. He wants to do more upgrades at no cost to me, all materials and work will be reviewed by me first. Someone pinch me!

[James Vermillion]

I would be very careful about monetary rewards. You do not want them to become expected anytime they do something. I would say when you find out the finally want to move out (hopefully years from now) say your last couple months are on me. Thanks for being such great tenants.