- FELT PADS FOR THE FEET OF THEIR FURNITURE
These aren’t as cheap as you’d expect, but my hardwood floors were just refinished three years ago, and I’d rather spend $10 than wonder whether the tenants will worry about the floors - ONE SET OF KEYS PER PERSON, PLUS ONE EXTRA
They’ll probably make an extra set if I don’t provide them with one; at least this way I’ll know how many keys are out there floating around. My tenants need a whopping total of four keys, so I also make them a little color-coded “key” to which key is for what door (I use those little multi-colored star stickers that your grade school teacher put on your spelling tests.) - THE OBLIGATORY LEAD PAINT PAMPHLET
No one ever reads this, but I’m obligated by law to provide it. Basically, its a government-issued pamphlet that says not to lick the walls, because housing built before 1978 could have lead-based paint on the walls, which is particularly harmful to children and pregnant women. I print out a copy from the CD that came with my landlord bible, Every Landlord’s Legal Guide. You can also download a copy online, from the EPA’s website.
And that’s fancy enough for me. Usually the departing tenants leave some toilet paper in the bathroom, but if they didn’t I replenish that. I also provide directions to the nearest Walmart or Target for any essentials that they discover they need right away. 🙂
If I had more than one unit, I would give my tenants a big checklist for them to mark off the condition of each room, fixture, etc. However, when I’ve done this in the past, they haven’t actually filled it out or turned it in. With one apartment, I know the condition pretty well anyway, so it isn’t really necessary right now.
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A welcome basket is a nice touch but why would you give your tenants candles? (think: fire hazard)