When a landlord complains about a bad tenant, I often wonder how that relationship started in the first place. Was the tenant properly screened? How were they treated from the beginning? Your attitude in the beginning will color the entire landlord-tenant relationship.
Often the relationship between the landlord or property manager and the tenant seems like an adversarial one. This is not productive. Tenants are paying customers and should be treated as such. They do not want to be treated like an ATM machine or just another number.
Getting a good tenant is not just a matter of screening and checking their credit. Ideally, the tenants should have a positive relationship with the property manager or landlord. This sets a tone of cooperation and mutual respect, which leads to better results for everyone. If you want good renters who are happy to pay rent on time and take care of the property, the best way is to start off on a positive note.
One way we do this is by providing a move-in gift bag to new tenants. This inexpensive little “extra” is a great way to put a smile on a new tenant’s face, and start the relationship off right! I have personally watched people go from weary and tired with the stress of moving, to smiling and appreciative, just with this small gesture.
What’s included in our typical new tenant gift bag:
- Large reusable grocery bag
- Paper towels
- Toilet paper
- Drain snake
- Hand soap
- Bottles of water
- Strawberry snacks (of course!)
- Folder with business card, lease docs, instructions for using the drain snake
We also include a branded refrigerator magnet with contact info for maintenance, rent, and general questions.
Things like this help set us apart and build rapport with tenants. Of course we have other ways to help keep tenants happy. But a small token in the beginning goes a long way.
If you would like to know more about how my team can help make your rental investment business as successful as possible, please contact me!