Shoudl I leave welcoming gift and card for tenant?

13 replies

ComeTheFuck0nBridget · 01/12/2020 14:33

I'm just after a little bit of advice, DH and I are about to start renting out a property, we have gone through a lettings agent so they will be the tenants point of contact and I haven't met them. I've also never rented before myself.

I was just wondering if it is common practice for landlords to leave a little "welcome home" card and/or gift as it is for house purchases? Do you leave something for your tenants or have you ever been left something? If so, any ideas as to what it should be? I don't want to leave alcohol but maybe some flowers or a candle? I have no idea!

OP posts:

stillfeelingmad · 01/12/2020 14:48

I rent out my house that I had ore marriage, I left a bottle of champagne for my tenant and a little gift for her little boy

AppleStars · 01/12/2020 14:49

Our landlord left us a card and bottle of Prosecco, I thought it was lovely, but I wouldn't expect it or think any less of someone who didn't leave something. I think a candle is a nice idea? Flowers might be annoying as they may not have a vase, or know which box a vase is packed in?

BananaPop2020 · 01/12/2020 14:49

Lovely idea and a good start to the relationship.

pickleparademairead · 01/12/2020 14:50

That's a lovely idea, though definitely not expected. I've rented lots of places and bought two, and never has anyone left anything before. I did leave my buyer a bottle of wine though. Maybe a box of chocolates?

purpleme12 · 01/12/2020 14:51

It's not common practice no, so I'd be pretty impressed if I moved in somewhere with this!

LondonStone · 01/12/2020 14:52

Our previous landlords were sort of “accidental landlords” as in, it was their one and only house and they were only moving out of it to be closer to their family (they were actually going back to renting themselves) and they left us a card with some helpful instructions regarding the house, a box of chocolates and a bottle of wine in the fridge. It was a nice thought and we were always friendly with them afterwards despite being with a letting agency. Totally up to you but it’s not weird, imo!

Bytheriogrande · 01/12/2020 14:53

Definitely not expected but its a nice thing to do. Our landlord left us 2 mugs, a tray, some teabags, milk and a packet of hobnobs!

Bytheriogrande · 01/12/2020 14:54

She is an ace landlord though, always drops a bottle of wine round at christmas too (though I guess she probably won't this year!)

MrsTerryPratchett · 01/12/2020 14:55

Not expected and I've never had a landlord do it. But I did it when I was an accidental one and it was a great tenancy. Very friendly and nice. They left a present at the end. They were great tenants.

Coolcatsandkittens · 01/12/2020 14:55

I left a welcome card and gift (can’t remember what) for my tenants. I always send a Christmas card to them too.

Strawberrypancakes · 01/12/2020 14:55

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Ashmarie · 01/12/2020 14:59

In my first ever rented flat the landlord could not have been nicer, she had bought new bedding and towels, and a set of plates and glasses. Definitely not expected but very lovely, especially to 17 year old me with not much cash! She was just lovely all round. My next flat, I received cupboards full of filth and crumbs and the previous tenant had obviously let her child draw over every surface with red pen since I viewed it... I think as long as it’s clean, anything else is just a nice to do and not expected.

murbblurb · 01/12/2020 15:00

I do - leave it on top of the information folder and that gives a higher chance of the latter being noticed. A box of chocs and a card is always acceptable.

gives the 'don't believe what you read on MN, not all landlords are shit' signal. Didn't stop the wrecker of course but them's the breaks.

Flip