Property managers and landlords have a tough gig. With so many different personalities and preferences, tenant relationships are continually being tested. In many cases, it gets to a point where a landlord treats the relationship as a mere business transaction. We’re not saying there’s anything wrong with being business-minded. However, it’s also important to understand that landlords and property managers are in the people business.

With that in mind, treating tenants like a business transaction comes at a price. They never feel entirely welcome. If you’ve taken the time to manage apartments for rent or houses for rent, you should also take time to welcome your tenant properly. This is going to be their home. The last thing you want is an unhappy tenant that feels completely neglected upon moving in.

Putting a little time and effort into making your tenant feel welcome is an easy task. It’s not a grand gesture like dropping off a 52-inch flat screen TV for them. It’s all about the little things. Things that make you look thoughtful and like you genuinely care about who is living in your property. Without further ado, let’s jump into a couple things you can do to make a great first impression on your tenant.

Get to Know Your Tenant

Some landlords want a “hi” and “bye” relationship with their tenant. They want to see money in their account every month and nothing else. This is a missed opportunity. When your tenant is moving in, try to get a feel for who they are. Even if you don’t think you have much in common, you might be surprised.

You have to realize that moving into an apartment or home for rent is also a daunting experience for the tenant. They’re very aware of the fact that they aren’t the owners of this property. That being the case, they may feel like there’s a significant landlord-tenant barrier if you don’t attempt to break the ice.

All you really have to do is chat with them. This’ll make your tenant feel more comfortable and give you insight into who they are as people. If you take the time to get to know them, they’ll also look at you in a different light. They’ll view you as a real person instead of a landlord that’s there to watch them and collect money.

Build a Welcome Package

Moving to a new home, neighbourhood, or city isn’t always easy. Sometimes, people can feel alone even in a building full of people. If you’re welcoming a new tenant, creating a basic welcome package is something you can do to ease their anxieties and help them on their new rental journey.

A basic welcome package often includes a list of emergency contacts; information on water, sewer, trash, electric, cable, and phone service in the area; a list of nearby stores and restaurants; parking information; and rent information. Of course, this can be modified to suit your needs, but the idea remains the same — it’s all about convenience.

At the end of the day, you’re making your tenant’s life easier by giving them access to the right information they need to know. If you want to take it a step further, you can also stock up on useful items such as laundry room supplies, toilet paper, soap, and other basic cleaning supplies. Not only are you making a kind gesture by getting these items for your tenant when they first move in, but you’re also giving a little hint to keep things clean. It’s win-win!

You work on putting together an excellent welcome package for your new tenant, and our property managers will handle the rest! Hit the email button at the top of this page and get in touch with us for more details.