Tipping in an apartment
 

Hi everyone,
We'll be renting an apartment in Paris and paying paid directly to an American owner, but they have a French real estate agency manager and a housekeeper service once during our stay.

I wanted to ask about whether we should leave a tip for the housekeeper and what might be appropriate?

Also, the manager and I have exchanged numerous emails and she seems very kind. She is also going to provide a baby cot for no additional charge. But since payment is going straight to the owners I don't think she's really profiting from the rental... and I wanted to find out if some sort of gesture from us would be appropriate. Like maybe a small gift. Or perhaps a bunch of flowers when we leave. Or something nice to say thank you for being so nice to work with.

I know many of you here have rented apts in paris before, often direct from the owner. What do you do?

Thanks,
Kat

Oh trust me, she'll be profiting from the rental. And if you ever bought a holiday home in France, you'd find out just how much!

However, if you want to leave a gift, I'm quite sure it won't be sniffed at.

Hi sk,

This is a business arrangement. There is no need to send gifts.

If you want to leave the housekeeper a few E, it won't be refused.

Good points. Thanks for the reality check.

Don't I wish I could buy a holiday home in France! :)

I would agree that the real estate agency manager has an agreement with the owner which generates revenue...if for no other reason than the management of the apartment. The housekeeper is obviously employed by the agency just as a maid is employed by a hotel to clean the place.
Personally, I would not hesitate to leave a tip, the amount you feel is appropriate (think "what would I want if I were cleaning up after ME?""") but, of course, tipping is a very personal matter.

And, OK, so the agent makes good money...so do LOTS of people..perhaps through hard work?????? Even if the housekeeper is a millionairess that doesn't mean you cannot/shouldn't tip him/her.

You could give the housekeeper a few Euros a day. As to what to give the apartment owner, just give back the key when you leave.

There seems to be some confusion here about this manager -- they are not the owner, as you said (the American is) they are managing apt rentals for a job. They are paid for doing that job. Housekeeping services are also paid for cleaning rental apts. that is their job. The manager is not doing this for free, so she certainly is profiting if you mean getting paid for it.

I don't understand why you would tip either one of them.

Yes, Christina, she's doing a job, one that she is probably well paid for as I was reminded by this post. Yes, that's what I meant by "profiting"... since I am literally making the check out and mailing it to the owner, the money doesn't cross her hands. I guess I just forgot momentarily that there are other ways she can be paid than just marking up the cost of the apt, which is how many real estate agents are paid here in the US.

And I was not in any way suggesting I slip a "tip" to the agent... just wondered if a pretty bouquet of flowers on our departure or a nice card as a gesture of thanks would seem stupid to her. She's been incredibly gracious to us about the baby and, though it's technically her "job" to do that... not everyone does their job with as much kindness, humor, and friendliness as I have encountered with her thus far, and I am not even there yet.

It is a thoughtful gesture for you to do. The french love flowers...or even a small ballatine of chocolates. It is a nice thing to do! If it feels right, do it. A hotel pays the maids something...but who doesn't tip them?

I usually leave a tip for the cleaning lady, when renting an apartment. Especially if they have done a good job..

I pay someone to watch over and clean up my rental house in France, and sometimes renters leave her either a monetary tip or give her flowers or a small gift, and I can tell you it is immensely appreciated, even though she gets compensated to take care of the renters.
It's definitely not expected, but it's definitely appreciated. Go with your instincts.

skatterfly: I am interested in who (agency) you are renting this apartment from. I have rented from rentparis and they were good, but I am always looking. I'll be heading to Paris in Feb. with my husband for 4 nights, but plan to rent an apartment. Thanks for any info.

ttt