There’s a human side next to the technical story.
One minute reading time.
📸 Jessica Lewis 🦋 thepaintedsquare (Pexels)
You probably know the technical steps when new tenants move in: drafting a good rental contract, providing a clear description of the place, and documenting its condition properly. I believe the most important thing is clarity — it can make a world of difference in how the tenancy unfolds. Clear agreements prevent misunderstandings, protect both sides, and allow the start of the tenancy to be based on trust rather than tension.
yourbuildingmanager.online can help you with many of those steps.
But those technical steps aren’t all there is to it. While landlords or tenancy managers don’t have to become friends with their tenants (and probably shouldn’t, as it can complicate things), we’re still dealing with people. A tenant who feels appreciated will feel more comfortable, communicate more openly, and take better care of the place. Over time, I’ve seen that small gestures can make a big impact. Some landlords leave a bowl of fruit, a towel, a small set of cleaning supplies, or even a note saying welcome for the new tenant. It’s a simple way to show care and create a positive first impression of the home — providing the tenant with the feeling that they’re not just a number.
But note that some gestures work better than others. I experienced it myself once — receiving some cleaning materials, including a towel, placed right in the middle of the kitchen desk. At first, I appreciated the gesture. But the longer I thought about it, the more annoying it felt. There was a subtle pressure, a hint of unwritten expectations, as if I was already being told how to behave. And I already had my own cleaning materials, so the gift was quite useless. It felt more like an obligation to start cleaning immediately than a warm welcome.
When making such a gesture, it’s worth asking yourself what you want to achieve. Do you want to give a hint — or do you want to create trust and make the tenant feel genuinely appreciated? Of course, it depends on the situation, the person, and the desired relationship between landlord and tenant. Still, I personally like the concept of a small fruit bowl the most. In my opinion, it’s a friendly, neutral gesture — one that says welcome, feel at home without saying how you should live.
