First time landlord: What "extras/courtesy goods" to provide in unfurnished flat?

PurpleZoombini

I'm moving out of my one bed flat I own and have lived in for the past four years. I will shortly be putting it up for let as "unfurnished" including white goods only. I've only ever rented furnished properties previously so I'm unsure if unfurnished generally means completely bare save the white goods or if it's expected that certain courtesy items will be provided. I've seen that it might be appropriate to leave cleaning products, toilet rolls, dustbin etc which I'm more than happy to do.

Is there anything else I should be providing/leaving for tenants?

I don't want to be seen as a miser and not willing to provide things that other landlords might but I also don't want to leave too much that's unneeded/unnecessary. 

If you're a landlord what do you generally see are left/available in unfurnished properties?

If you're a renter what would expect/appreciate being available or would prefer to buy yourself?

MovingForwards

Unfinished aside from white goods mean I expect to furnish the property and buy my own extras eg cooking equipment, bins, cleaning products, crockery, towels etc.

Sandtree

Even "fully furnished" it will be questionable if every room has a bin and certainly wouldn't "expect" bog roll to be provided etc.

Its ultimately up to you, from a tenants point of view its good that the place is in the state it will be when I move in... I don't want to do the viewing of an empty flat and see it has kitchen bin and then come moving day the bin has gone.

For consumable type items you could leave some if you wanted but just all parties need to be clear that they are a gift to the tenants and you aren't expecting them to be there when they vacate. Toilet roll? Probably helpful but not going to get someone excited... cleaning products may be appreciated or not depending on where they are coming from, allergies, eco preferences etc... bottle of wine rarely isn't appreciated. It is ultimately a business and its debatable how much long term impact moving in gifts will make to how good a tenant they will be.

canaldumidi

I find a 'welcome to your new home' bottle of wine next to the property folder in the kitchen does tend to be appreciated! Yes it's a business but that doesn't mean it can'tinvolve some human touches.

But apart from white goods I'd consider curtains/blinds perhaps?

Annisele

When I've rented I've been happy when the landlord has provided things that most properties won't need, but that particular property does.

Curtains/blinds are one example; you're unlikely to be able to take curtains from your last place and use them in the next. I rented one unfurnished flat where the landlord left a pole to open the screwjack windows. In another, there was a strange cabinet thing on wheels that had been built to fit into an oddly shaped gap - I'd imagine it was useless in any other property, but we happily used it.

youth_leader

I agree with curtains. I was upset to move into an unfurnished cottage and have to go out to buy a blind for the bathroom and curtains for the bedroom/lounge.

Snookie12cat

In my unfurnished place I rented, tenants left blinds and I left them up for the next ones. 
I think blinds are probably always welcome as are shower curtains. But nothing other than white goods.

tacpot12

I'd be less sure about a gift of alcohol unless you know the tenant drinks, and curtains can be expensive to buy and if they are not to the tenant's taste then they won't get used, and may get lost or damaged. 

I've left items such as tea towels, chopping boards, and teaspoons for tenants when letting furnished properties. I've left these in a box on the worktop with a note that says that they are gifts to the tenant, don't appear on the inventory and that the tenant is welcome to take them or leave them when they leave the property. For an unfurnished property, I'm not sure I would leave anything. Your new tenants might appreciate any help you can give them to find any furniture they need, especially if they are new to the area.   

bouicca21

I’d expect curtains or blinds, but the one thing I’d really want is a folder of information.  When to put the bins out (and where), recycling instructions, any quirks about the flat/house, local restaurants/takeaways, doctors surgeries etc.

PurpleZoombini

bouicca21 said:

I’d expect curtains or blinds, but the one thing I’d really want is a folder of information.  When to put the bins out (and where), recycling instructions, any quirks about the flat/house, local restaurants/takeaways, doctors surgeries etc.

I definitely intended on providing information about the property and have been making a list of some things that I think people might find helpful. It does help that I lived in the property myself so I have more knowledge than someone who had just bought it to let.

I hadn't considered that curtains/blinds wouldn't be provided in an unfurnished property. I would have thought they would be considered basic necessities. This property has fitted blinds to all windows that I'm not sure how you would take down so they are definitely staying.

Sandtree

tacpot12 said:

I'd be less sure about a gift of alcohol unless you know the tenant drinks 

Technically true but, in my experience, most non-drinkers aren't offended by it either... indeed one has the best wine cellar I've seen outside of a restaurant/hotel (and yes he buys them himself, its not all unwanted gifts). Clearly there are some where it may be an issue but realistically almost any "gift" left could cause offence... you wouldn't want to be in 10 miles of my ex-flat mate if you brought any cleaning products with micro plastics into the house (years before marine plastic was a talked about subject)