Provide Bathroom Essentials on Move-In Day

Out of all the “welcome gifts” that I’ve given to my tenants on move-in days past, the gesture that is often appreciated the most is a package of basic bathroom essentials.

Over the last 8 years of managing my rental properties, I’ve tried many things to help get the landlord-tenant relationship off to a great start, of which included welcome notes, gift cards, local maps of the city.

Nothing works as well as toilet paper.

Tenants seems to appreciate toilet paper more than anything else. Weird, huh?

Not really.

More often than not, a tenant’s toiletries will be buried in a box, and they usually don’t realize that a shower liner is not standard issue with an unfurnished rental.

Moving day is hard work. Your tenants will be exhausted and stinky. And taking a shower is messy without a curtain liner.

My typical Welcome Gift ($10):

1. Toilet Paper – 1 Roll (I like Scott brand because it comes individually wrapped and I can buy a single roll at the grocery store) – $2.00
2. Small Bar of Soap (hotel sized) $1.00
3. Paper Towels – 1 Roll (the grocery store has single rolls) $3.00, and
4. A Shower Liner (just the liner, not the curtain) – $4.00.

It’s not really about the TP

By providing basic bathroom essentials to help them get through their first week, you are sending the message that you are looking out for them. This is just one step to help you create amazing tenants for yourself.

In my opinion, a feeling of being cared for is the best “first impression” a landlord could ever ask for. And better yet, that feeling of safety will be carried forward by your tenant for the remainder of the lease.

If you want to go the extra mile, you can include a travel toothbrush and toothpaste, and a $15 gift card to the local pizza delivery restaurant.

So What? – The benefits for the Landlord

Your tenants will be happier, and will respect you for it – thus decreasing the chances of late rent, neglect, and poor cleaning habits.