Hi all - I just closed on an apartment and am moving out of my current apartment early December.

Two questions:
1. How much do I tip the new staff at my new building considering we've only just moved in?
2. Is there any obligation to tip the staff from the apartment I'm moving out of?

Thank you!

I would give 75% of your usual holiday tip to staff at old building and 25% of usual holiday tip to staff of new building.

I'd give 90%-100% of your holiday tip at the old building. You had (almost) a full year of benefit from their services. Anything at all given to new building will be appreciated if you are just moving in, but I think 25% is very generous and will give you a good year's worth of attention... If you end up paying a bit more than you would in a normal year, so be it (at least you're probably getting a good deal on rent for an early Dec lease start)!

I agree with Freebird.

yep, 100% at old building since you were there the entire year. we're tipping our old bldg (not sure how much yet) and we moved out in July.

With respect to your new building, I would factor in a few things when deciding how much to tip such as whether you intend on living there for a long time and also how good your new staff is. I moved into a new apartment this summer and intend to stay a long time and the staff is excellent so I probably will not prorate my tips to the new staff. Of course, Dceember is not the same as moving in the new building this summer.

"I'd give 90%-100% of your holiday tip at the old building. You had (almost) a full year of benefit from their services."

But didn't they PAY for those "services" through their monthly maintenance/rent?

25% to the old building and 75% to the new building. The way I look at this is you are buying their services and good grace for the year ahead, so you really paid for this year at the end of last year. You really don't want to be serviced by workers that you did not give much to for the holidays.

"The way I look at this is you are buying their services and good grace for the year ahead, so you really paid for this year at the end of last year. You really don't want to be serviced by workers that you did not give much to for the holidays."

And while you're bending over, don't forget that wad of cash for Tony Soprano ...

NYCMatt - do you tip and if so why?

"NYCMatt - do you tip and if so why?"

Only people who are supposed to be tipped, like wait staff.

NYCMatt- Do you ever reach out to the building employees for help in your apartment for "work/help" that does not pertain to the building?