Everyone likes to know they’re appreciated, and tenants are no exception. Sure, it’s technically enough to provide them with a safe, well maintained place in which to live, in exchange for their prompt rental payments each month and their respect and care for the property. But sometimes it’s nice to go above and beyond to show exceptional tenants just how thankful you are for their business and their trust.

Summer is the perfect time for an organized Tenant Appreciation Week or special event. You don’t have to spend a lot of money to give your tenants a thank-you gesture. It can be as easy as firing up the grill in the courtyard and offering hot dogs and hamburgers one evening, or a similar event designed to get tenants mingling. Do an ice cream social where everyone is asked to bring their own bowl. For liability purposes (not to mention cost), it’s best to avoid anything involving alcohol, but you can spend a little money to make a big impact on your tenants.

If an event isn’t something you want to do, or you just have a single tenant, a simple gift for the house is the way to go. Perhaps a nice flowering plant for their porch, or a new coat of paint on their door … something that brightens up the place and gives them a lasting reminder that you appreciate them as tenants. It’s a simple thing to do that can go a long way toward fostering a more positive relationship with your tenants.