Nice Tenant Problem

[keleri]

A new tenancy started a few weeks ago and the tenant extra nice and sent a xmas card thanking us in choosing him and his family to rent our lovely home to them. Also he is looking forward to inviting us around for a B B Q in the new year. Not really wanting to socialise with our tenants. Would you ? What is a good response to turn down this invite.

[revdev]

Keep the goodwill - turn up for an hour and then take your leave if you are looking to keep your distance.

[Perry]

Or even less, if that seems apposite. The goodwill is
worth the effort - as revdev observes. I have similar
feelings to yours: too cosy-a-relationship can make
life difficult, later, when you need to wave a stick
over some issue or other.

Good thread topic, too! Not too many nice tenant
problems found hereabouts, unfortunately.

[TheLiberalLeft]

I had one of those and didn't keep my distance. He turned out to be a good friend, a nice man and future business contact. He's a man who's since been in the media around the world and is a great NZ innovator.

I like revdev's advice. I also think it's right to assume that any tenant who's that friendly is highly unlikely to be rough so your rule of averages states that you'll be fine. Keep it professional, but don't be standoffish. You'll just look like a tool.

[drelly]

Familiarity breeds contempt... in some people.