As a landlord, it’s a good idea to work towards building an excellent relationship with your tenants. Giving new residents a tenant welcome package when they move in is a great way to jump-start your landlord-tenant relationship. By gifting a welcome packet, you’ll show your new tenants that you truly care about the people living in your rental. Here are a few gift ideas for your welcome package that your tenants will truly appreciate.
Pay for Dinner
After a day of unloading boxes, unpacking, and setting up furniture, no one wants to cook a meal. Include a gift certificate to a local restaurant so your tenants can relax and refuel with some delicious eats near their new home. For an extra touch, leave a note with the card welcoming them to the community.
Gift Bathroom Staples
Make sure every bathroom has a roll of toilet paper, paper towels, a box of tissues, and soap. Consider putting up a temporary shower curtain liner so they can take a shower with ease on the day they move in. You can also place paper towels and garbage bags in the kitchen. Your tenants will love these simple yet practical gifts.
Cleaning Items
Everyone wants a clean home and you definitely want your tenants to maintain the condition of the unit. Providing a welcome basket of disinfectant spray, glass cleaner, sponges, trash bags, and other cleaning products will help the tenant clean their apartment and ease some stress because they won’t have to rush to the store to stock up.
Create a Welcome Booklet
Similar to a guidebook in a vacation rental, creating a welcome booklet will add a professional yet intimate touch. Along with a list of local businesses, stores, and restaurants, you can add a welcome letter. A new tenant welcome letter is a great way to show you care about residents on the property. You should also include information about living in the community such as when garbage is collected or how to submit a maintenance request.
Feed Their Sweet Tooth
Treat your tenants to some baked goods, chocolate bars, or candy. After a day of moving, these sweet treats will be the cherry on top of living in a brand new space. If you want to give your new tenants baked goods, you can make them homemade for a personal touch or save time by buying some from a store. Be sure to avoid any goods with common allergies like nuts. You can also stock the fridge with juice, soda, and water for when your tenants get thirsty while moving in.
Give Your Tenants a Mini Spa Day
There’s nothing better than finally being able to relax after a brutal day of moving into a new apartment. Help tenants wind down by adding a bath bomb, a candle, lotion, a loofah, or similar products to your welcome package. If you have time, buy these items from one of the local businesses listed in your welcome booklet.
Personalize and Protect
Every renter wants to make their new apartment feel like home by hanging paintings and other decorations. However, every landlord would like to avoid damage to the walls as much as possible. By adding a pack of adhesive hooks or Velcro, your tenants can decorate without leaving marks.
Furniture Felt Pads
If you have hardwood floors in your property, there is a possibility they will get scratched by furniture. Scratches on the floor are considered normal wear and tear, but you can save yourself time and money in the long run by gifting a pack of furniture felt pads.
Add Some Greenery
Adding a plant can help bring a home to life. If you want to give some greenery as a gift with your welcome basket, avoid getting a large floor plant so children or pets can’t access it. You should also opt for a plant that is easy to care for like a succulent.
Gifts to Avoid in a Welcome Package
Although you may be a wine or craft brew connoisseur, avoid gifting alcohol. You don’t know if your tenant drinks, and it could come off as offensive. If a gift can only be used by someone 21 and up, chances are you shouldn’t place it in a welcome packet.
Hopefully these gift ideas have helped sparked some inspiration. Remember that gifts given to tenants are an allowable business expense on your income taxes and must not exceed $25 per person to receive a deduction. By giving a gift basket, you’re not only helping your tenant transition into a new space, but you’re also helping your business. Remember that retaining tenants goes beyond the first day! Make sure to answer questions and resolve maintenance requests quickly and effectively. With our online platform, you can track maintenance requests submitted by tenants, track repair expenses, and upload notes to keep renters in the loop. As a landlord, you want to retain tenants as long as possible and going the extra mile for your residents will certainly take your property to the next level.
