Cleaning up the leaves on the property

General Landlording & Rental Properties
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Cleaning up the leaves on the property

Mark Berge
Rental Property Investor · NJ · Member since 2020 · 60 posts · 16 votes

Hi All, any suggestions on how to get the tenant who pays on time and takes care of the inside of the property to clean up the leaves on the property? Last year he did it as well as using his snow blower to clean up the snow. I was over at the property a few days ago and there are lots of leaves from the trees on the property. 

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Greg M.
Rental Property Investor · Los Angeles, CA · Member since 2017 · 2k+ posts · 5k+ votes
4y

File for immediate eviction. Unraked leaves are a gateway drug. Tomorrow he's not taking in his empty trash can until 9 PM. Next week, he skips checking his mailbox for a day. He sounds like one of those monsters that DVR a program, but doesn't skip through the commercials. 😱

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  • Mark Berge
    OP
    Rental Property Investor · NJ · Member since 2020 · 60 posts · 16 votes
    4y

    I should add that the lease that the tenant signed states that the tenant shall: Cut the grass and maintain the shrubbery. I am reading it to see if the new lease talks about leaf and snow removal. 

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  • Dell J.
    Member since 2010 · 210 posts · 158 votes
    4y

    Does the lease say it is the tenants responsibility or not? you said it is then you said your checking the lease. I would just talk to him.  He has done it before its probally not a big deal to do it again

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  • Gail K.
    Augusta, GA · Member since 2014 · 1k+ posts · 1k+ votes
    4y

    You've got someone who pays on time, takes care of the inside of the property and has previous raked up the leaves.  He is likely to do the leaf raking again.  This is not a hill to die for as your tenant appears to be a model tenant.

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  • Sharlene Mulchandani
    Cincinnati, OH · Member since 2020 · 299 posts · 476 votes
    4y

    I would just politely ask your tenant to do so. If he's done it last year, he should be okay with doing it this year as well. 

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  • Theresa HarrisPro Member
    Member since 2019 · 15k+ posts · 11k+ votes
    4y

    If it is a home, tenants are usually in charge of maintaining the yard. They may not have gotten around to it.  Talk to them and mention that they normally do a great job keeping up with the yard and you noticed there are still a lot of leaves on the ground.  It could be they have something else going on (eg illness) or simply haven't gotten around to it yet.

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  • Gail K.
    Augusta, GA · Member since 2014 · 1k+ posts · 1k+ votes
    4y

    They may possibly be waiting for all the leaves to fall from trees on or near the property.  Two weeks ago when we finished a remodel on one of my rental houses the leaves in the front yard were blown/raked into a pile and places in five paper bags my county requires.  Saturday I was there and did a repeat session; this time requiring 7 bags.  Yesterday I was out there again to show the place and it looked like nothing had been picked up.  I've decided to wait until the last tree drops everything until I tackle this again.

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  • Scott M.
    Real Estate Broker · Rochester Hills, MI · Member since 2009 · 2k+ posts · 2k+ votes
    4y

    Your lease should also state a fee that will be accessed if they don't.  Talk to them though and find out what is up.  Maybe they would be willing to pay for a company to come and do it.  Talk to them though, that can work wonders.  

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  • Wale LawalBusiness Member
    Real Estate Broker · Houston | Dallas | Austin, TX · Member since 2018 · 5k+ posts · 2k+ votes
    4y

    I would just talk to the tenant. 

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  • Greg M.
    Rental Property Investor · Los Angeles, CA · Member since 2017 · 2k+ posts · 5k+ votes
    4y

    File for immediate eviction. Unraked leaves are a gateway drug. Tomorrow he's not taking in his empty trash can until 9 PM. Next week, he skips checking his mailbox for a day. He sounds like one of those monsters that DVR a program, but doesn't skip through the commercials. 😱

    5Reply
  • Joe SplitrockPro Member
    Moderator
    Rental Property Investor · Sioux Falls, SD · Member since 2015 · 9k+ posts · 18k+ votes
    4y

    I would tell him to clean up the yard. Give him a deadline and tell him if it is not done, you are hiring it and sending him the bill. It is rude to your neighbors if you leave a mess like that, because it just blows into their yard. 

    We have some neighbors who "wait" for the leaves to fall. In reality they are waiting for them to blow into someone elses yard. Very selfish, but there are people who have that mentality. Your job as a landlord is to make your tenants understand the importance of "being a good neighbor". That means mowing your yard, cleaning up leaves and controlling weeds.

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  • Waylon Zook
    Etna Green, IN · Member since 2015 · 207 posts · 157 votes
    4y

    @Mark Berge letting the leaves compost in the yard is much greener for the enviroment !

    1Reply
  • Matthew Paul
    Severna Park, MD · Member since 2013 · 7k+ posts · 7k+ votes
    4y

    Maybe they are busy at work , there is a labor shortage out there . Days are getting shorter and time is limited . My leaves arent raked yet , I am too busy making money and too tired when I get home . 

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  • Bill O'Donnell
    Rental Property Investor · Newburgh, NY · Member since 2018 · 160 posts · 117 votes
    4y

    @Mark Berge

    I'm not an attorney, but depending on your local laws, you could be taking on liability for having your tenant do work. If they get hurt, or hurt someone else. It could land on you. Find out before you proceed... At a minimum, check with your insurer.

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  • Brent Kirchner
    Rental Property Investor · SW Florida · Member since 2021 · 2 posts · 1 vote
    4y

    I’m very new to learning about being a landlord. But it seems to be very similar to a management role. Try using the good, needs work, good tactic. “ hey Jim! I wanted to express my thanks and gratitude to you for being such a great tenant. Your always on time with your rent and I’ve gotten no complaints from anyone about you. I noticed this year you didn’t rake the leaves like you did such a great job at last year, we’re you planning on doing so? Again, you’ve been a great tenant and I wish I had more like you. Keep up the great work! Thanks Jim!” Just an example

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  • Mark Berge
    OP
    Rental Property Investor · NJ · Member since 2020 · 60 posts · 16 votes
    4y

    Thanks all. For some reason these posts are coming to my gmail spam folder. Yes, I checked the NJ standard lease that I used and it states under Tenants repairs and maintenance: The tenant shall: Keep the walks and driveway free from dirt, debris, snow, ice and any hazardous objects.

    I drove by yesterday and sure enough he cleaned up the leaves. The next door house is also a rental and those tenants haven't been cleaned up their leaves yet. All the other houses on the street are owner occupied and they all take great care of their houses and yards.

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  • Ian WalshBusiness Member
    Lender · Philadelphia, PA · Member since 2016 · 2k+ posts · 1k+ votes
    4y

    I would defer to the lease.

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