Tenants stained the deck

Hi, I have a nice home in a sought-after neighborhood that’s currently being rented by a young professional couple. They have been there a little over a year. The deck was in fair shape when they moved in but the finish was beginning to fade a little. They asked me a few months ago if I’d mind if they re- stained it. I told them that would be fine and I provided them with all the materials. They refinished it last weekend, and it looks great. There was never any mention of me knocking money off the rent in exchange for doing so. The lease states that tenants are not to do any repairs or upgrades without permission from me (which they got) but does not address monetary remuneration for doing so. I really appreciate the time they took to do the job. Would it be appropriate to buy them a gift certificate for a restaurant or something along those lines to show my appreciation?

--74.215.xxx.xxx

Tenants stained the deck (by WMH [NC]) Posted on: Oct 13, 2020 10:39 AM
Message:

Totally appropriate and better than just cash off the rent, because that can become a thing for every small change. --50.82.xxx.xxx

Tenants stained the deck (by Ken [NY]) Posted on: Oct 13, 2020 10:40 AM
Message:

I wouldnt,they got what they wanted,a newly stained deck. --72.231.xxx.xxx

Tenants stained the deck (by 6x6 [TN]) Posted on: Oct 13, 2020 10:56 AM
Message:

I think that would be fine and appreciated. I also see Ken's point.

I am glad that it turned out well but, what if it didn't?

--73.120.xx.xxx

Tenants stained the deck (by Steve [MA]) Posted on: Oct 13, 2020 10:57 AM
Message:

I would give them a gift certificate or perhaps a box of really nice chocolates. --71.174.xxx.xx

Tenants stained the deck (by Oregon Woodsmoke [ID]) Posted on: Oct 13, 2020 11:28 AM
Message:

Do they barbecue? Give them a gift certificate to a really good butcher so they can christen the new deck with a nice steak barbecue.

Put me in the tally for never ever giving a rent deduction. Very bad precedent.

Also whenever I give permission for a tenant to do any work, I make it very clear at that time that they won't get paid for it. Way in the past I've had a tenant offer to do some small thing to improve the house and then after they are all done, they presented me with a bill. So make it clear before they start. --76.178.xx.xx

Tenants stained the deck (by Oregon Woodsmoke [ID]) Posted on: Oct 13, 2020 11:29 AM
Message:

Adding this: you are darn lucky they did a good job of it. Tenants and paint are not usually a good combination. --76.178.xx.xx

Tenants stained the deck (by plenty [MO]) Posted on: Oct 13, 2020 11:29 AM
Message:

or a nice plant in a nice pot for the new look of the deck and their outdoor enjoyment. OR BBQ steaks, or some fun BBQ backyard item for the grill. --99.203.xx.xxx

Tenants stained the deck (by RB [MI]) Posted on: Oct 13, 2020 12:09 PM
Message:

A couple that stains together,

will probably stay together.

How bout a couple of deck chairs. --199.192.xxx.x

Tenants stained the deck (by Dee Ann [WI]) Posted on: Oct 13, 2020 12:36 PM
Message:

I vote for the giftcard to a good butcher.

Years ago, I bought a rental and put a coworker and friends in as I needed tenants. My coworker had really nice furniture and car and liked taking care of his things. He asked if they could paint so the 3 of them and my hubby and I all painted the entire place over a weekend. Turned out beautiful and really improved the place, which the previous owner had neglected. We bought all the supplies and paint. At the end we gave them a thank you card with giftcard to a butcher shop; they loved it! --75.11.xx.xx

Tenants stained the deck (by B.B. [OH]) Posted on: Oct 13, 2020 1:05 PM
Message:

I’m getting a bunch of suggestions for a gift certificate to a butcher shop. That’s a suggestion I won’t take since I’m vegan. However, will take the suggestion of buying them a nice potted plant, and I’ll also include a gift certificate to one of Cincinnati’s vegan restaurants. Thank you for all of your input! --74.215.xxx.xxx

Tenants stained the deck (by Dave [MO]) Posted on: Oct 13, 2020 1:06 PM
Message:

I wouldn't. I agree with Ken, they got what they wanted. Thank them and don't become friends with them. When they give you a 30 day notice to vacate, and you give them a full refund of their rent deposit, and you still fill like giving them monetary pay for the stain job hand them a gift certificate to their favorite eating establishment. --173.47.xxx.xx

Tenants stained the deck (by Jasper [OH]) Posted on: Oct 13, 2020 1:29 PM
Message:

Depending on how long they live there, the deck may need to be re-stained when they leave. They got what they wanted. You provided the material, and they did the work for their own enjoyment. I would probably let it go at that, although I have no problem giving a gift card at Christmas in thanks for their good tenancy and the many $$ they pay over the year. --173.188.xx.xxx

Tenants stained the deck (by Ken [NY]) Posted on: Oct 13, 2020 1:55 PM
Message:

A gift certificate to a vegan restaurant unless they are vegan will accomplish nothing in the way of good will,get them something they would appreciate or you are wasting your money --72.231.xxx.xxx

Tenants stained the deck (by Lynn [MA]) Posted on: Oct 13, 2020 2:19 PM
Message:

I used to give tenants scratch tickets or dunkin donuts gift cards at Christmas, I finally stopped when not one of them said thank you. --66.30.xx.xx

Tenants stained the deck (by Vee [OH]) Posted on: Oct 13, 2020 2:22 PM
Message:

If it looks as good as it sounds reward them with a grocery card for the store, next month it will be very helpful, most tenants that open paint cans create thousands in interior cleaning and refinishing once the area rugs are moved over.... --76.188.xxx.xxx

Tenants stained the deck (by Jane [TX]) Posted on: Oct 13, 2020 2:23 PM
Message:

No, give them NOTHING other than complimenting their work!

You already gave them materials. I had tenants build and stained brand new privacy fence ( over 10k out of their own pocket), repainted walls, did flower garden,replaced nicer toilet bowl,replaced carpet because they wanted the improvement, not needed in my view. I approve the job, pick the color and everything needs to be professionally done. No rent discount, no gifts. They love it because they got what they want.

The only time I pay for materials is small repairs, and tenants are willing to do it (things like replace broken blinds,caulk a crack in the brick, nail back a broken fence piket etc) any other improvements they need to pay my handyman directly for labor. --172.58.xxx.xxx

Tenants stained the deck (by Jane [TX]) Posted on: Oct 13, 2020 2:32 PM
Message:

If you must give them something, buy something that's going to stay with the house, like a nice patio light with motion sensor etc. --172.58.xxx.xxx

Tenants stained the deck (by S i d [MO]) Posted on: Oct 13, 2020 3:49 PM
Message:

Buy them a renter's liability policy so next time they do work for you and fall off a ladder or get sick from inhaling too many fumes then they can sue you and you're covered by the policy. --107.216.xxx.xxx

Tenants stained the deck (by Robert J [CA]) Posted on: Oct 13, 2020 4:11 PM
Message:

Last month a tenant did the same thing to me, asked permission to fix up the exterior landscaping in their private back yard in an apartment complex. They were going to have a "birthday" party for one of their kids at the property, saving them the expense of renting out a location. After the party they asked me to cover the cost of materials, they would not charge me for their labor.

So I did a calculation: rent paid during their tenancy, almost $40,000. Cost of materials they want me to reimburse them for, around $122. I dropped off a check for the $122, and smiled at the good job they did.... --47.155.xx.xxx

Tenants stained the deck (by Jeff [CO]) Posted on: Oct 13, 2020 5:00 PM
Message:

I'm with BB on the vegan restaurant.

That said, having tenants work on your properties is a bad idea. Better to have tenants be tenants and service people do what they do best.

If the deck needed staining that's something you should have done.

--76.120.xx.xxx

Tenants stained the deck (by Sir Walter [NC]) Posted on: Oct 13, 2020 5:09 PM
Message:

I'm with Ken. Unless they share your beliefs and values (vegan), giving them something they don't like can create negative good will. That's not far from pushing your faith or political beliefs on them, as opposed to simply sharing them when there's an opening. --98.122.xxx.xx

Tenants stained the deck (by PG [SC]) Posted on: Oct 13, 2020 8:05 PM
Message:

Not sure what I would do for a tenant that done a good job. I have had only one, he was my nephew, and I new he could do good work so I paid him a top hourly wage and I paid for the materials.

The rest of the tenants I have had did not have a clue about doing the job correctly. Fixing a mess takes a lot longer than just doing it myself.

I tell my tenants if something goes wrong call me. Works for me.

--99.197.xxx.xxx

Tenants stained the deck (by LindaJ [NY]) Posted on: Oct 14, 2020 11:10 PM
Message:

You let them do something that they asked and wanted. Supplied the materials as well. I would not do anything else. If it was something I wanted and asked them to do, it would be different... not that I ask many tenants to do things!!! --108.4.xxx.xxx

Tenants stained the deck (by Sir Walter [NC]) Posted on: Oct 15, 2020 3:42 AM
Message:

Minimally, acknowledge to them that they did a good job, and thank them for that. Landlords complain when tenants don't acknowledge or thank them for extra efforts. Tenants may feel the same.

You may also want to tell them that you rarely allow tenants to do work, because most tenants don't do a good job because it is outside their skill level. That way, if they ask to do something in the future, for that particular request, they would not be surprised if you say no.

--98.122.xxx.xx

Tenants stained the deck (by Sir Walter [NC]) Posted on: Oct 15, 2020 3:42 AM
Message:

Minimally, acknowledge to them that they did a good job, and thank them for that. Landlords complain when tenants don't acknowledge or thank them for extra efforts. Tenants may feel the same.

--98.122.xxx.xx

Tenants stained the deck (by Ray-N-Pa [PA]) Posted on: Oct 15, 2020 6:25 PM
Message:

I would thank them and as a gift - I would have bought them another gal of stain --24.101.xxx.xx

Tenants stained the deck (by Cjo’h [CT]) Posted on: Oct 15, 2020 7:04 PM
Message:

Don’t buy them another gallon of stain,or they’ll think you’re trying to get rid of them.......................Charlie............unless you really are?......... --32.214.xxx.xx

Tenants stained the deck (by SJ [ND]) Posted on: Oct 17, 2020 9:39 PM
Message:

Gift certificate and thank you card --54.39.xxx.xxx

Tenants stained the deck (by Nellie [ME]) Posted on: Oct 17, 2020 10:43 PM
Message:

Personally, something vegan related would offend me. IMO, vegans push an agenda that I have no interest in. (Which this would fit the bill of.) I would either not use the GC or would give it away. Only if you have reason to know that they share this same lifestyle choice would vegan be appropriate. --64.222.xxx.xxx

Tenants stained the deck (by B.B. [OH]) Posted on: Oct 18, 2020 5:02 AM
Message:

So a gift certificate for a free meal at a restaurant would “offend” you, Nellie? How would that be “pushing an agenda?” Would a gift certificate to a Chinese restaurant be pushing an agenda? Maybe you’d get the idea that I’m trying to “push the agenda” of communism. A gift certificate to a Mexican restaurant might be “pushing the agenda” of open borders, perhaps? SMH. --74.215.xxx.xxx

Tenants stained the deck (by Barbara [VA]) Posted on: Oct 18, 2020 7:18 AM
Message:

Honestly B.B. Nellie kind of proved a point.

You asked for opinions, she gave hers, you didn't agree and became defensive and slightly combative from my perspective. You could have just ignored it and moved on.

Me personally I would love a gift certificate to something out if my comfort zone. But in this society you need to tread carefully as people are so sensitive to anyone who sees or thinks things differently. --174.251.xxx.xxx

Tenants stained the deck (by NE [PA]) Posted on: Oct 18, 2020 7:54 AM
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Nothing. --70.44.xxx.xx

Tenants stained the deck (by B.B. [OH]) Posted on: Oct 18, 2020 12:19 PM
Message:

Nellie’s post was nonsensical. That’s the point I proved with my response. --74.215.xxx.xxx

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Tenants stained the deck

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