Property Management Best Practices

Welcome Email to New Tenant

Zac Maurais
February 26, 2025

A great welcome email helps new tenants settle in quickly and builds a positive relationship from day one. Here’s what to include:

  • Clear Welcome Message: Address the tenant by name and thank them for choosing your property.
  • Move-In Details: Specify key pickup, moving schedule, parking, property access, and initial inspection steps.
  • Utility Setup Instructions: Provide provider contacts, deadlines, and setup guides.
  • Contact Information: Include the property manager's name, phone, email, emergency contacts, and office hours.
  • Follow-Up: Send the email 1-2 weeks before move-in and follow up a week after move-in for feedback.

Organize your email with clear headers, bullet points, and attached resources like building maps or utility guides. Tools like Utility Profit can streamline utility setup and save time for both tenants and property managers.

A well-crafted welcome email makes the move-in process smoother, improves tenant satisfaction, and sets the tone for a professional landlord-tenant relationship.

How to Write a Tenant Welcome Letter

Required Welcome Email Components

A well-organized welcome email is essential for guiding new tenants through the move-in process. Here's what it should include.

Writing a Clear Welcome Message

Start by addressing tenants by name and expressing your appreciation for their choice of your property. This keeps the tone professional yet inviting.

Move-In Details and Rules

Provide all the necessary move-in details in a straightforward manner. Here's what to cover:

Move-In Component Details to Include
Key Pickup Specify the location, date, time, and required documents
Moving Schedule Mention designated hours and any elevator reservations needed
Parking Areas Highlight zones for moving trucks and assigned resident parking
Property Access Share building entry codes and gate procedures
Initial Inspection Schedule a walkthrough and provide checklist requirements

Encourage tenants to complete the move-in checklist within 24 hours of getting their keys. This ensures the property's condition is properly documented [2].

Setting Up Utilities

Make setting up utilities simple by including:

  • Contact information for utility providers
  • Deadlines for activation
  • Instructions for confirming service setup
  • A list of utilities tenants need to activate themselves

Property Manager Contact Details

Clear contact information goes a long way in improving communication. According to Rentec Direct, tenants are more satisfied when they have easy access to contact details. Be sure to include:

  • The property manager's name and title
  • Office phone number and email address
  • Emergency contact information
  • Regular office hours
  • Guidelines for communication (e.g., use email for general inquiries and a portal for maintenance requests)

"Introducing the new management keeps your renters involved in the transition process and also gives them vital information like how to pay rent and submit maintenance requests." [4]

These elements lay the groundwork for a strong welcome email, paving the way for effective communication with your tenants.

Writing an Effective Welcome Email

Your welcome email sets the tone for your relationship with new tenants. It's your chance to provide essential information while making a great first impression. Did you know that 64% of people decide whether to open an email based solely on its subject line? [5] Here's how to make every part of your email count.

Creating Good Subject Lines

The subject line is your email's first impression. Studies reveal that up to 47% of recipients decide to open an email based on the subject line alone [5]. Keep it short, clear, and personal. For example, you could highlight move-in details or include the tenant's name. A well-crafted subject line isn't just about getting attention - it also sets the tone for the rest of your message.

Adding Personal Details

Personalization is key. Go beyond just using the tenant's name to make the email feel tailored. Include details like:

  • Apartment number, floor, or building
  • Move-in date and time slot
  • Assigned parking space numbers
  • Access codes or fob details

These specifics help tenants feel more connected and informed right from the start.

"Direct subject lines work best", says Anita Cooper, Copy and Content Writer at RealtyBizNews [5].

Making Information Easy to Find

Even the best content can get lost if it's not well-organized. Research shows that clear formatting can improve engagement and deliverability by 34% [2]. Here are some practical tips to structure your email:

  • Use Clear Headers: Divide your email into sections with bold headers for easy scanning. Possible sections could include:
    • Move-in Instructions
    • Contact Information
    • Utility Setup
    • Building Access
    • Emergency Procedures
  • Implement Visual Hierarchy: Make your email visually appealing and easy to navigate by:
    • Using bullet points for key details
    • Highlighting important deadlines in bold
    • Adding white space between sections
    • Keeping paragraphs short (2–3 sentences)
  • Include Digital Resources: Attach or link to relevant documents, such as utility setup guides or building maps.

"We recommend welcoming your tenants via email. It's typically the best way to reach people, your tenants can quickly reply, you can include relevant links as needed, and the information can be easily saved and referenced by your tenants" [2].

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Making Utility Setup Simple

Setting up utilities can feel like a hassle for new tenants. Simplify the process by providing clear instructions and leveraging modern tools to help them connect essential services quickly. This approach works perfectly alongside the detailed move-in guidelines shared earlier.

Utility Setup Instructions

Include easy-to-follow utility setup instructions in your welcome email to help tenants get started.

Here are the key services to address:

  • Electricity
  • Gas
  • Water
  • Internet

Provide these steps to guide tenants in finding utility providers and avoiding high energy bills [6]:

  • Contact details for current utility providers
  • Information about the local energy distribution company
  • Links to online tools for finding providers
  • Emergency contact numbers for utility-related issues

Using Utility Profit Tools

Utility Profit

Utility Profit is a platform designed to simplify utility connections and track the setup process in real time [7].

What it offers:

  • Automated setup for multiple utilities
  • Real-time status updates
  • Integration with property management software
  • Branded tenant portals for a smooth experience

Property managers can use a dedicated portal to monitor utility setups, including confirmation numbers, activation dates, and progress updates. It even tracks tenant completion rates.

"Utility Profit is a tool for PMs that streamlines the process for renters to set up their utilities and internet. Additionally, it provides your team with the assurance that the utilities are set up accurately." [7]

The platform supports essential services like electricity, water, gas, and internet. Property managers can also earn around $50 for each successful move-in while ensuring tenants complete their setups [7].

Add the Utility Profit link to your welcome email so tenants can start their setup before moving in. This helps avoid last-minute issues and boosts tenant satisfaction while keeping operations smooth.

Sending Welcome Emails Successfully

Getting the timing and follow-up right for welcome emails is essential to help tenants feel supported from the start.

When to Send and Follow Up

Send your welcome email 1-2 weeks before move-in, after the lease is signed [1][3]. This gives tenants enough time to review details, set up utilities, and ask any questions.

Scenario Action Purpose
Lease signed early Send 2 weeks before move-in Planning time
Tenant has questions Send welcome email immediately Quick response
Short notice move-in Send within 24 hours of lease signing Urgent info

For sensitive details like lockbox codes or key collection instructions, wait until the lease is fully executed [3]. A follow-up email one week after move-in is a good practice.

Getting Tenant Feedback

After sending the initial email, follow up to gather feedback and improve the process.

Here’s how to build a feedback loop:

  • Send a quick follow-up email a week after move-in.
  • Include a short satisfaction survey about their move-in experience.
  • Make it simple for tenants to share concerns or ask questions.

Here’s an example of a follow-up message [9]:

"I hope you're settling in well at [property address/name]. Is there anything we can help you with?"

Use the feedback to track common issues and improve future welcome emails. This follow-up not only helps resolve any problems but also shows your commitment to clear and ongoing communication [10].

Conclusion

A well-thought-out welcome email sets the stage for a smooth move-in process and helps establish a strong landlord-tenant relationship. As House to Home Organizing puts it, "The tenant welcome letter serves as the first point of contact between you and your new tenants. It sets the tone for the landlord-tenant relationship and establishes the level of professionalism and care they can expect throughout their tenancy" [11]. Similarly, KRS Holdings emphasizes, "A warm welcome instills a sense of appreciation and value in tenants, significantly increasing the likelihood of them renewing their lease" [12].

Beyond personal touches, modern tools have made onboarding easier by automating previously time-consuming tasks like utility setup. For instance, Utility Profit, trusted by over 700 property management companies and 250,000 homes [8], simplifies utility arrangements, saves time, and even generates revenue - all while offering real-time tracking to improve the tenant experience.

"Crafting a thoughtful and informative welcome letter has immense value as a landlord's first impression. It demonstrates a commitment not just to providing key details but to fostering a positive rental experience" [1].

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