I’m a first-time Landlord starting next month, and I’m trying to make sure that I’ve covered all of the bases, and genuinely ensured that my tenants feel comfortable.
I’m still in the nice landlord phase, so I’m trying to be generous.
I’ve put together a binder containing all of the owner manuals for the furnace, water heater, fridge, stove, AC, etc. I’ve also put together a “Renters book”, containing all of the documents I’m required to give them by law (MN Handbook for Landlords & Tenants, EPA Lead warning manual, etc.)
What other things do you wish your Landlord had given you?
What secrets should a Landlord keep in mind when getting a new tenant?
As a responsible tenant, there’s no better feeling than feeling like your landlord respects and trusts you.
That said, I suggest that your binder contain photocopies of appliance manuals, not the actual things. Just that if the tenants lose the binder it will be a huge pain to recover these manuals.
Things like numbers for trash/snow removal, local police/emergency numbers are always nice to have, and while they can be easily found in the phone book, would go nicely in a tenant handbook.
Light bulbs would be nice. Nothing worse than moving in after dark and nothing is unpacked and the closets don’t have light bulbs.
Maybe emergency numbers? Like if they have a plumbing mishap and you’re not around? It could save you from expensive damage repairs. You may have a tradesman that you trust and would like to do that kind of work.
My landlord has everybody’s carpet high-traffic areas cleaned for Christmas. It is a wonderful gift. They don’t do every nook and cranny, but it sure spruces the place up and benefits him too.
He also provides doggy-poop bags for the front yard. There’s a dispenser mounted on a fence post that is refilled by the maintenance guy. Now THAT is a definite bonus.
In one place I moved the landlord took the time to make little maps of where the nearest grocery store, Video Store, Gas station and a few other things were (I think dry cleaners and a few others). That might be nice.
My worst experience was discovering that the refrigerator I’d seen when I’d looked at the apartment belonged to the previous tenant. So giving them a fridge is nice.
But I’ll agree with Kalhoun–I once had a plumbing emergency when my landlord was on vacation and ended up in a big fight over who was going to pay the bill because it wasn’t his plumber.
That was a shock for us on moving from ohio to LA. We didn’t know that apartments in this area don’t normally come with a fridge and the landlord didn’t think of telling us that since that’s the standard thing out here. Good thing we had overestimated our moving budget and had enough to go out and buy one.
One thing you should do is offer to replace anything that might bear on the property itself.
For example, while tenants are generally responsible for replacing smoke detector batteries, and furnace filters, and cleaning stove vent grease traps. I always say they can ask me for those. The better tenants, of course will simply take care of those things, but the tightwads aren’t tempted to make mistakes that cost you in the long run.
As for garbage disposals, I’ve made little stickers that I put on the unit itself, to save them calling me out all the time: (“Before you call for help: Check that the plug wasn’t knocked out. Push the red circuit breaker reset button. Turn it off and try to jiggle the blade with the end of a broom handle.”)
I also give them info on plumbing (you may have different ideas, but just tell them what you want them to do)
My rules:
Never put any product down the toilet but toilet paper. Deadly are tampons and paper towels, but also poor are kleenex and things like post-it notes or q-tips that may go down but don’t break up in the piples.
Please do try a plunger for the toilet before calling a plumber at my expense.
Please don’t use a plunger on tubs and sinks - it often will blow out a gasket or trap and require repairs underneath. Try liquid plumber products if it might be a hair clog, but only one dose. Don’t make a huge mess for the plumber to have to bail out before he can start with a snake.
If you really want to strike a sweet harmonious note that says you care, leave them a bunch of coupons for local business, like one of those val-u-pak mailers. Nothing like a long day of moving in and finding a coupon for pizza waiting for you!
The notebook (with the photocopies) is great, and include any community info that might be helpful…recycling rules and regulations, community resources, etc. I like the spare lightbulb idea, and a roll of toilet paper is nice, too…though I once met my new neighbors very quickly when I had to run and borrow toilet paper my first day in our house. I was left at home all day while my husband took the car, and I didn’t know there was a convenience store around the corner…but I needed the paper sooner than that!
Oh, and a month’s free rent at Christmas would be nice…
Really? I’ve lived in a few L.A. apartments that all came with fridges. (including one in Studio City, where I see you’re at. Know Hollycrest Dr.? That was a good one. Now I live in the hood.)
Hmm, maybe it depends on where you’re staying. Most people around here (at work etc) seem to agree that it’s common for apartments in the area to not have fridges. I’ve seen a few listings that mention having a fridge, but that seems to be generally considered an extra rather than an expected feature. At any rate, we have our own now if it comes up again.
A basket of two rolls of toilet paper, a few light bulbs, various food delivery coupons, laundry detergent, dish soap, dishwasher soap (all little one use packs) and two bags of microwave popcorn.
Little stuff goes a long way to making a tenant happy.
Also, you might include a fire extinquisher. Our landlord kind of freaked out when we asked, in all innocence, if one was already in the house She spluttered: “I DON’T HAVE TO SUPPLY THAT!!!”. We know, we just asked so we could save a little money. STOP FREAKING OUT.
As an addon to my notes about my own experience, I would suggest that if the people are moving from out of the area and you are aware of any quirks specific to the local enviroment, like my fridge situation, make sure and let them know. If you aren’t aware they can trial and error it like I had to, but if you know make sure and tell them.
My apartment in Philly didn’t come with any kind of blinds. Since it was at street level, it was sort of like living in the parking lot while the custom blinds were made.
When I left, I asked the building manager to please leave them in place and offer them to the next renter.
