BiggerPockets

Without getting into the details, I've been having a problem with very unqualified applicants for my new rental.

Because there's limited room for the tenant to keep a lawnmower on the property, I've been toying with the idea of including lawn service to get better applicants. I would like to get a service that will mow for $75 or less per month. I don't know if this is possible without hiring a kid. I will have to call around.

The problem is the house also has several large oak trees around it that shed a lot of leaves. I literally filled 30 bags of leaves the other day. I've been told these trees shed leaves year round, too. I assume it's going to be exorbitant to pay a service to do this raking in addition to mowing. Should I get a leafblower and do the leaves myself, or try to get the tenant to do the raking and hire a service just to mow the lawn? My concern is that if the tenant neglects the raking and the service person arrives they won't be able to mow. Thanks.

Originally posted by Rick L.:
I'm relatively new to being a landlord, but rented for almost a decade in my younger years. I would not rely on the tenant to mow and/or rake the lawn. If you want to maintain the appearance of your lawn and landscaping either do it yourself or hire someone to do so.

Thanks Rick--I have my tenants at the other rentals do it themselves and it hasn't been an issue. I'm just concerned about the lack of storage space at this one (for lawnmower, etc.) and that the huge volume of leaves may be a turnoff to applicants.

Can you get rid of the tree? It might be cheaper. :-)

Also, just because you include lawn service does that mean you have to include the leaves? Can you tell them that they're responsible for raking the leaves and if they aren't raked, you'll do it but will have to charge them $50? There's got to be room there for them to keep a rake. :-)

I have a clause in my lease about the lawn that if they don't cut it and I get hit with a fine, they'll pay the fine and I'll cut the grass but will charge them $75 to do it. I've never had a problem.

Not sure about prices in your area, but my guy can do front and back lawn care 4 times monthly for $70. The leaves on the ground would mostly get caught in the mower and be collected in with the cut grass, so that should not be a problem. My service also includes edging and leave blowing. (and he is not a kid)

I agree with Brian mow with a nice mulching 175 dollar mower and mulch em into yard and grass. Unless your blessed with some mighty oaks or hickory trees that throw off too many leaves.
You should be able to get a service to do it for 35 bucks a week if its a 1/4 acre lot. More then this is too much.
My thought is this 3 4x8 pieces sheets of green treat 3/4 plywood would build a storage unit a push lawnmower could be stored in with a gas can and a rake and a few items. Paint it white and angle the lid away from building down so water runs off of it. You could even add a few pieces of trim and a nice handle and hinges to open with locking mechanism for a pad lock. Total cost would be less then 100 dollars and take care of storage problem and not be large enough to be considered q a shed that requires permit. connect it to building by the garden hose and its will be very useful for storage. If I could draw my design it would be nice for all to see. If you take time and build it right it would last 12 to 15 years and look nice on the lot if you have a few bushes planted nearby to screen it. Sort of like screening in the pump house by a pool.

One thing about a lawn service is that the drive to the job site is un-paid time to the business operator (laborers aren't getting anything done but get their hourly rate still). So there is a certain cost passed along to the property owner for the lawn service to get to the site; once on site, the price to do a bit more land is not too significant. So getting a bunch of neighbors to all hire the same crew is one way to save.

Why does it have to be cut so often? I own land in FL farther south from you and it only needs to be cut about 4-5 times per year. It's mostly crab grass that grows sideways. My cousin lives in Naples and only cuts about twice per month. Is your grass different?

I agree that the mulching mower should be able to take care of the leaves also. I have a rental that I maintain the lawn. My guy charges $15 per week to cut it. It's a small lot. Doesn't take him long.

Maybe run an ad on CL under "Gigs" that you need a lawn mowed. Just use a different email, no phone. See what kind of responses you get. Maybe someone will do the job for less than what you've found.