How much to tip?

A C-note now, and another at Christmas if he continues to do such a great job for you.

To start off I'd give him about $20 per task which is what malraux said essentailly. But my policy otherwise (once one is established in the building) is to tip bigger than most people at x-mas and not during the year for little stuff. Yeah, if the super comes in the middle of the night to save me from flooding the building because somehow I snapped off a faucet or something, then maybe an extra something at that time.

At x-mas, in a modest coop with 110 units with a security guard at the door (4 regulars), live in super, 2 porters, I'd tip the super $150-200 if I didn't bother him much that year and $250 if I was a pest. FWIW, when I'd lock myself out at 10:00 pm and the security guard/door man had to call the super to get my extra keys from the lock-up, the super never charged me $50 as he was permitted to under house rules. Of all the people you deal with in the building, having the super love you is very important. If you cheat a lot, then I suppose having the doorman love you so he doesn't snitch would be important.

$250 for a super...that's a lot of money when you consider three doormen,porter.

I have always wondered about what was "expected". This is a great question.

FWIW, security is different than doormen. Security doesn't help you to car, open door, get taxi for you, etc. My building tips were: $150-200 super; $50 porter; $50 security at door for day and 4pm-midnight who had worked at building for many years with $75 for the day man when my partner had a business that caused many deliveries and pickups from our apt.; $25 for nightguard.

There's a whole thread on this topic that was posted last year on tipping at Christmastime. Some good points, I suggest searching for it.

what if you dont live in the building but have the apt rented out.

What is expected then ?

If the tenant pays and the landlord pays then the super, porters etc get double ?

Is it best to perhaps just tip the super so that any future viewings are trouble free etc ? If so how much ?

tenant should tip, but owner should not ignore them either. So yes, they do make out a bit extra. Not quite double.

If you don't live there, the staff understands your tips will be somewhat lower. If you sublet, I would think you would feel the doormen's efforts, the super's assistance when you need it, and the like are worth something and that you would show your own appreciation for their help without regard to what the owner is doing. It's courtesy.

Overtip. It is great karma. I have a building with a staff of 20 people. I tip $50 for the people i never see but do the behind the scenes work. $100 to doorman and package guys and $100 to the super. I get great service. I also always tip for any quick fixes ($20 - here and there).

I cannot emphasize that what is a samll amount of money ($1K - $2K) gives a great sense of peace.

I had an insane neighbor complain about me (light music in the afternoon) and the building staff had my back.

Yes, when you tip you're respecting that worker & also, in a sense, buying their kindness. If one were an owner of a unit that is rented out, I wouldn't want to run the risk that the tenant is not tipping, thinking that the owner should do so. It really doesn't take lots of money to buy goodwill. In this case, within reason, it is the thought that counts.