We're all accustomed to Letting Agent Today carrying stories about a minority of rogue landlords and, occasionally, rogue agents too - but here's a heartwarming one about the gifts they give their tenants.
According to a survey of 2,645 agents, landlords and tenants, more than a third of landlords have given a welcome or farewell gift to a tenant and 30 per cent of tenants have received an act of kindness, such as help with DIY or a bottle of wine.
As a result, 72 per cent of tenants who received an act of kindness said this positively changed their perception of their landlord. A positive relationship seems to have an impact on the length of tenancy too; 70 per cent of tenants who receive an act of kindness stay in their property for 24 months or more, compared to just 53 per cent who don't receive an act of kindness.
Landlords have apparently given everything from Christmas hampers, home grown vegetables and gifts for children through to rent free months during periods of unemployment and the topping up of gas and electricity meters according to the survey, conducted for Endsleigh insurance.
The survey also investigated what the ideal relationship should be between the two parties.
Half of the landlords surveyed said a professional relationship with a tenant is preferable and almost half of tenants agreed. More than a third of tenants wanted a friendly relationship with their landlord; compared with just 21 per cent of landlords.
However, of the landlords and tenants that answered other' to this question, many said they would prefer both a professional and friendly relationship.
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