As a landlord, there are many things that you are responsible for. In addition to the overall management of your properties and regularly checking in with tenants, sometimes there is even the expectation that you go above and beyond to do more for your tenants.
But are those expectations always requirements?
Many landlords and property managers in the real estate industry disagree about whether or not you should give your tenants Christmas or holiday gifts as a kind gesture and a small thank you for renting from you. Is getting a Christmas gift for a tenant an appropriate gesture?
There isn’t a clear right or wrong answer to this question, and that makes it a more complex issue for landlords to address. But don’t worry; we’re here to help! Should you give tenants Christmas gifts this year? Join us as we discover your answer to this question!
A Table Of Contents For Tenant Christmas Gift Ideas
- Should You Give Tenants Christmas Gifts? Pros And Cons
- It’s Up To You
- Appropriate Christmas Gift Ideas For Rental Tenant
- Small Efforts, Big Results
Should You Give Tenants Christmas Gifts? Pros And Cons
Landlords and property managers don’t always agree about whether or not it is a good idea to give your tenants Christmas gifts. While some find this practice to be a must, others find it to be dated and awkward.
Let’s explore the pros and cons of giving gifts in a tenant-landlord relationship to gain a better perspective on this idea.
Pros
- Rewards good tenant behavior
- Shows appreciation
- Promotes goodwill
- Improves relationship between you and the tenant
- Potentially improves tenant retention
- Tax-deductible
- Inexpensive gifts can be chosen
Cons
- Extra time needed to organize gifts
- Costs money
- Makes the business arrangement too personal for some
- If tenants expect a gift and don’t receive it, they could be upset in future years
There are a lot of good reasons to give gifts, but there are also some potential drawbacks. Keep all of these ideas in mind while making your choice.
It’s Up To You
Do you have to give your tenant a Christmas gift? Absolutely not. Many tenants will be surprised if you do; others won’t even notice if you skip talking about the holiday season with them completely.
The key thing here is that it is up to you to decide if you want to give a Christmas gift to your tenants or not. The best way to decide is to consider the expectations that you want to set up for your tenants.
Are you hoping to create personal relationships with your tenants to promote high retention rates and easy communication? Or are you prone to taking a more hands-off approach and simply letting your tenants live their lives without interference?
As we said before, there is no single right or wrong answer. Instead, you must weigh the pros and cons that apply to your situation and then make your decision.
Appropriate Christmas Gift Ideas For Rental Tenant
If you have decided that small gifts are great ideas for your tenants, these tenant Christmas gift ideas can help inspire your purchases. Remember when browsing these Christmas gift ideas for rental tenants that you don’t need to purchase something expensive for it to be meaningful!
The key with all of these gifts is to keep them small. Buying anything extravagant might give tenants the wrong idea. In their eyes, gifts to them might be bought with their own rent money, so it’s best to keep things on a small scale.
1. Gift Cards
Gift cards are a simple, easy, and appropriate option for tenants. Whether you choose to send a gift card to the local grocery store or a favorite restaurant, this is a gift that nearly any tenant can use. If they don’t want to use it personally, it is also a gift that they can easily pass along to someone who will find a use for it.
Plus, it isn’t overly personal, so you don’t need to worry too much about what people like and dislike when giving this gift. Even tenants that aren’t as comfortable sharing personal details of their life with you aren’t likely to be offended by such a neutral yet thoughtful gift.
2. Local Goods
Another great idea, especially for tenants that are relatively new to the area, is to gift them a basket of local goodies such as jams, honey, chocolate, or other tasty treats. Think about what you love to get when you’re having a rough day and then consider adding that to your basket.
This is a great way to introduce them to a taste of parts of the neighborhood they may not have discovered, and it can help drum up local business!
3. Home Supplies
Most people need home supplies like paper towels, cleaning wipes, napkins, and more! Nobody, however, likes needing to buy these things!
In the same way that you might gift home supplies to someone for a house warming party, you can consider doing the same for your tenants when you are preparing their Christmas gift. Try not to get anything that might be considered rude (like a toilet bowl cleaner) and stick to items that can be used around the whole house for any type of tenant.
4. Personalized Accessories
Finally, it can be nice to get your tenant some type of personalized home decor. A pillow with their family name on it is a great idea, but you can also go for something more Christmas-focused like a small decoration or a Christmas ornament. This is a gift best reserved for tenants that you know well.
If you don’t know your tenants very well, it might be a bit awkward to give them a gift of this nature. Still, use your own discretion to decide if this works for your situation or not!
Small Efforts, Big Results
Should you give tenants Christmas gifts? That’s up to you, but we think that it can be a great way to make a big statement to your tenants. The best rental situations are those with great communication between the tenant and the landlord. Problems, suggestions, and concerns can all be communicated more easily in this type of relationship, and that’s a big plus.
While Christmas gifts can lead to this big result, it’s not the only way. Landlords that don’t find Christmas gifts to be an appealing idea can use small rent bonuses, rental upgrades, and just a simple card to connect with their tenants in a new way.