Tips / gifts for property manager at year end?

Started by HenryS6 • 9 replies • 790 views

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HenryS6 (Arizona)
Posts: 111

Posted:

As we approach year end, I am wondering if there are any gifts / tips that we should extend to our offsite property manager in exchange for her efforts throughout the year.

I'm thinking that a big boquet of flowers would be a nice gesture for the property manager and not be very expensive.

I'm not a fan of tipping in our society in general, but don't want to make the faux pas of not doing the right thing at year end.

(To be clear, I'm talking about using association funds, not personal funds for whatever we do if we do anything at all.)

AugustinD
Posts: 3,698

Posted:

Folks here have argued both that:

-- such an expense is appropriate, for the sake of good business relations yada and per custom;

and

-- and it is not appropriate. The governing documents do not authorize the board spending money this way. Also payment beyond what the contract authorizes may be seen as trying to buy favors from the manager.

I do not like such tipping. But if I were an owner in your HOA, I would roll my eyes but otherwise not make a fuss about it. The Board is doing all the work that I am not willing to do, after all.

AugustinD
Posts: 3,698

Posted:

Also if I were the manager, I would rather have a gift card compared to flowers.

JohnT38 (South Carolina)
Posts: 1,631

Posted:

Our property manager went above and beyond anything that we could have expected last year. We bought her a Christmas present but myself and the other board members chipped into buy it. We did not use community funds. My belief is when you find a PM that is excellent you should show your appreciation anyway you can.

AnnaJ1 (Maryland)
Posts: 95

Posted:

Do you have a "general/discretionary" fund or something of the sort? If so, I would use it for a very inexpensive bouquet, such as less than $50. Using money from this type of fund cuts down on members chirping about the Board "misusing" funds.

BarbaraT1 (Texas)
Posts: 821

Posted:

Don't use association funds for this.

As a manager, I can say that a simple thank you card is rare and appreciated. If you want to go beyond that, board members could chip in for a gift card.

KerryL1 (California)
Posts: 14,550

Posted:

I agree with those who say to use directors' contributions..

DouglasK1 (Florida)
Posts: 2,046

Posted:

Quote:

Posted By AnnaJ1 on 10/04/2021 10:37 AM
Do you have a "general/discretionary" fund or something of the sort? If so, I would use it for a very inexpensive bouquet, such as less than $50. Using money from this type of fund cuts down on members chirping about the Board "misusing" funds.

If the money comes from assessments/dues paid by the homeowners, putting a name like "general/discretionary" fund on it doesn't make it any different.

Escaped former treasurer and director of a self managed association.

SheliaH (Indiana)
Posts: 6,964

Posted:

Pass the hat among the board members and get her/him a lovely gift card (signed by the board members), throw a gift card in there and call it a day.

Having said that, the property manager may have a code of conduct that prohibits her/him from accepting gifts from clients over a certain amount, so you may want to check with the company. Make it clear he/she hasn't asked for anything, but you want to ensure you don't get her/him in trouble. You don't even need to name names - simply ask what the company's protocol is.

If it would be a violation to give the manager a gift, nothing's stopping from getting the card. You could even make a donation in the manager's name to his or her favorite charity.

If it is not right do not do it; if it is not true do not say it. Marcus Aurelius

FloridaC1 (Florida)
Posts: 27

Posted:

Flowers don't feed your Association manager, they're a waste of time, wilt & die. When I worked on Longboat Key on the West Coast of Florida, owners gave envelopes with $ in increments none of you would imagine. Those days are gone. My portfolio properties gave nothing to me last year after hours & hours of long hard days and night meetings that were two hours long plus at least a 1/2 hour drive each way. My management company had us send a letter to our boards which felt like begging. If you really think that your portfolio manager deserves dead flowers than you're wasting your time. In order for your manager to make an income (remember they might only receive 40% of what you pay as a management fee), they have to manage over ten associations that actually pay over $20K a year. Gift cards are great & much appreciated. My .02.

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