As a Bellingham landlord, finding –and keeping– a quality tenant can be hard. A simple way to foster good relations with your tenants is to give them a small appreciation gift for the holidays. Keeping your tenants happy may take some effort, but a happy tenant will be more likely to take extra care of your property, be prompt in paying rent, and stay in the rental home longer. Even a simple holiday gift will let them know you appreciate them.
Your renters will appreciate a tenant gift that is useful and appropriate for their particular situation. Some of the best tenant gifts are also housewarming gifts as they tend to be items that please everyone. Send your tenants a bottle of wine and some gourmet cookies and you could be on your way to building a strong rapport with them. Small houseplants, a thank-you card, or pretty monogrammed coasters will make lovely gifts for your tenants.
If you want to veer away from traditional housewarming gifts, there are other options for gifts you can give your tenants. A gift of a free property upgrade is a very good option. USB ports or basic smart devices are inexpensive upgrades that will make your rental property more comfortable for not only your current tenants but for future tenants as well. A smart thermostat or a video doorbell will surely mean a lot to your tenant as well as increase the value of your property. It will be an investment that will pay off in a lot of different ways.
Other tenant gift ideas are less tangible but no less appreciated. If you have multiple tenants in the same locality, you could plan a fun event for them such as a free movie night or even just a simple gathering. You could also gift them a useful service like water or furnace filter delivery. If it is financially viable for you, you can give them a break on any upcoming rent increases by delaying their increase for a few months. You can send them a polite card stating your intentions and they will likely be pleasantly surprised to receive the gift of lower rent for a few months longer.
If nothing else, you should send your tenants a card or a small note for the holidays. This act of goodwill can go a long way in improving your landlord-tenant relationship. Always keep your tenants’ religions and cultures in mind when you send a card. Not everyone celebrates Christmas, so if you are not sure if they do, it is best to wish them “Happy Holidays” instead. This way, you will be respecting your tenants while still sending good wishes their way.
Regardless of what you get your renters for the holidays, make sure it is thoughtful and appropriate. Take time to choose and deliver the right gift because these efforts will be well worth it. If you live at a distance from your properties or are pressed for time, a great option is to hire a professional Bellingham property manager to do it for you. At Real Property Management Teyata, we actively cultivate good tenant relationships in many different ways. Would you like to learn more? Give us a call at 206-861-5525 today!
We are pledged to the letter and spirit of U.S. policy for the achievement of equal housing opportunity throughout the Nation. See Equal Housing Opportunity Statement for more information.
