Back to: Landlord Success: Proven Strategies & Practical Advice for Stress – Free Property Management
Property Care for the Tenant
ITEMS FOR THE TENANT: Depending upon the property, you may choose to leave some items for the tenant to use during there stay in your property. This will vary depending on the type of property you have. Obviously, you will not leave a lawnmower if you are renting a condo apartment. Here is a list of items that I would consider leaving for the tenant:
- Lawnmower (Gas or Electric)
- Weed Trimmer
- Snow Shovel
- Ice Chipper
- Garden Rakes
- Garden Shovels
- Extension Cord (to plug block heater in or it could be used if one breaker goes out and they need to plug a deep freezer into a different outlet).
- Garden hose with sprinkler and handheld sprayer.
- Garage door opener controller.
- Toilet plunger (get a good industrial one).
What ever items you leave, document it on the lease and have everyone sign it. Let them know that they are responsible for returning these items in good condition (less reasonable wear and tear) at the end of the lease. I keep an inventory of duplicate items in my spare garage. If I have a friend getting rid of some tools or a lawn mower, I will take it and store it until I need it for a tenant. If I am walking through a hardware store in the spring and they have snow shovels on discount, I will buy a few and store them until needed.
CHRISTMAS GIFTS: We always give our tenants a greeting card and a gift card for a grocery store (Safeway etc.) for $25 or $50 at Christmas to thank them for being great tenants. Your tenants are you customers; they give you between $10,000 to $20,000 a year, so be nice to them. You can afford to spend $50 on them once a year. You will be amazed how this will be appreciated and can save you thousands in the long run.