Kind landlord learned her new tenants were struggling, so she surprised them with a welcome gift

A landlord’s decision to prepare a welcome gift for her new tenants is being celebrated across TikTok. The couple had just moved to the United States on a visa lottery and were struggling to find housing due to having no credit score. Candace Cabrera (@yogabycandace on TikTok) not only agreed to rent them her home; she also left them practical supplies and a handwritten neighborhood guide to help them start over. Her video, sharing the story, has gained over 1.1 million views and more than 59,000 likes. 

Cabrera explained how the couple’s honesty and warmth stood out during their first phone call. Before she could even explain how small the house was, they were upfront about their situation: no credit history, limited budget, and a long list of essentials they still needed to buy, including beds, kitchen supplies, and towels. They were new to the country, still using an international driver’s license, and unable to purchase a car or secure an address because of missing paperwork and a lack of rental history. "They were just so sweet and so hungry, like, in hard work. They were just such genuinely lovely people. I could just feel it," she said in the video. In an interview with People, Cabrera shared that her empathy came from personal experience. "I had lived abroad many times. I knew what it was like to be a part of a community or try to be a part of a community when you’re an outsider," she said. 

"They just wanted to be upfront with me. And they said they were having a difficult time finding a place to live," she explained. As they talked more, the couple explained that their DMV appointment to get local identification was still two months away. Without a permanent address, they couldn’t start many of the processes Americans take for granted. By the time the lease was ready, Cabrera knew she wanted to mark the moment. Rather than celebrate with something symbolic like champagne, she began assembling a useful gift: a large soup pot filled with oven mittens, kitchen towels, and household basics. 

For move-in day, she planned to include more essentials and even created a printed guide that listed emergency contacts, trash collection schedules, local transit info, and the nearest hospital. "I just thought that was a pivotal moment for them. I hope that when they move in, they feel welcomed. I think they already do, but I hope they feel it," she said. Her gesture felt extraordinary to viewers, in part because it sharply contrasted with what most renters say they experience. According to a 2022 study by Lemonade, 79% of renters in the U.S. said that having a landlord who is rude or dismissive about repairs is a worse experience than facing a rent increase. In an environment where communication and empathy are often lacking, Cabrera’s approach stood out.

Her video struck a chord with people, and thousands chimed in with encouragement and suggestions for what other landlords could do to support tenants. @itsme__jaimi said, "A landlord gave me a ‘first day kit.’ It was so helpful. Had Kleenex, TP, mugs, instant coffee, hand towel…everything you need immediately before you unpack." @hardworkinmama0 added, "I give all my renters a laundry basket filled with 2 bath towels, kitchen towels, oven mitts, all the cleaning stuff, tissues, TP, paper towels, etc." @susanm20093 commented, "It will set the tone for a good landlord-tenant relationship. Former landlord here."

You can follow Candace Cabrera (@yogabycandace) on TikTok for more daily life content.