Feedback on a Covid-19 tenant letter please!

[Garen T.]

I have a duplex and a SFR. All rents (from 5 different payers) gave me 100% rent payment this past week. I'm thinking of sending the following letter to my tenants. I have not been in communication with any of them for at least 3 months. Would you please provide feedback on the following note I'd like to send them.

Note: I intentionally did NOT include a note to thank them for their recent payment. I would like to, but not sure how to phrase it such as that there was an option for not paying and thanking them for something I expected them to do. 

**********Letter follows**************

Dear Resident,

We hope this letter finds you and your loved ones safe and healthy. The past few weeks have, undoubtedly, been some of the most life-changing weeks we’ve seen in modern times. The looming threat of the COVID-19 virus has taken our world, this country, and our state, by storm. We are hoping that the extreme social distancing will prove effective to slow the spread of this illness and that we’ll all soon be back to normal.

I wanted to reach out and address a few important issues regarding the pandemic as well as your tenancy. While discouraged by the news coming out of the New York area, I do see positive signs in our state that we may see some resolution within a couple more weeks. Hunkering down at home or traveling only for essential jobs is making a huge difference. If you are in a job such as healthcare, banking, groceries, transportation, or any of the other essential businesses, I want to express my sincere thanks for what you are doing. If you are putting yourself at risk, please be careful with your interactions as I’m sure you are.

Social Distancing: The purpose of this world-wide action is not simply to stop you from getting sick; the larger purpose is to slow down the progression of this virus so hospitals will not be overwhelmed with those who are most likely to be affected. Without social distancing, hospitals will quickly be overrun with far too many patients and not enough equipment to handle it. As such, we just encourage you to stay home and follow the guidelines set forth by the CDC, which you can read more about online.

Masks: Yes, we’ve come to this. I’m not very good at them, but I am making DIY cloth masks. If you would like any, please let me know and I can drop them by.

Small repair issues: One of the best things about living a home built in the last few years is there are usually no repair issues to deal with. Now, more than ever, I ask you to be careful in the home. Getting a repair crew over to fix anything right now would be very difficult to do.

Priorities: I think in terms of what is most important to us right now, taking care of your health is number one, followed by food, a place to live, and transportation.

Rent Payments: Rents will continue to be due as to the normal schedule. There are options for making payments including the use of a credit card (via an account on Cozy) which is available. If you have lost all ability to pay rent, including losing your job or other sources of income such as unemployment or this stimulus check (when that happens), then please call or e-mail as soon as possible so we can help you go over your options. Communication is key and urgent.

Personal Note: My daughter has developed Covid-19. In order to save money, and have insurance, she moved to Scotland last year to attend school. When things started happening, she made the decision to stay there since she has insurance while there as a student. She was diagnosed a week ago and has been at home with a cough for 9 days. It is said that by the end of this, most everyone would know someone who contracted this disease. I hope I don’t have to know anyone else, including you.

Best Regards,