Large backyard mowing alternatives?

Question

I have a duplex with a large back yard. I have to keep it mowed all spring and summer and it's costing me a lot of money.  Any recommendations, such as tarp, or something I could do as a low maintenance solution for most of the yard? Thanks!

JD Martin · Answer

Was the yard there when you bought the property? That's one of those things you have to consider when judging if a property will be suitable as an investment.

Options:

1. Cut the yard yourself.

2. Fence off a big part of the yard, put in a gate, and cut the area behind the gate a few times a year.

3. Tear out a lot of the grass and put in landscaping.

4. Survey and divide the parcel and sell the rest of the property.

Those are just some suggestions and they may not all work. If there's no street access, for example, or zoning prohibits it because of lot size or area, you may not be able to subdivide. Or you may have city ordinances that won't let you let the grass grow behind the fence.

Guy Gimenez · Answer

Changing the usefulness of the yard could be a problem for the tenant so you may need to wait until the lease expiration. Not factoring the lawncare cost in on your rent was an oversight on your part so just fix it on the next lease by adding the mowing costs to the rent. I would NEVER allow the tenant to maintain the yard or make repairs to the house...they have the least incentive to do things right and don't usually want to spend their time or money to handle anything on a rental. We don't even allow them to change the A/C filters because I know they could care less about MY investments.

Colleen F. · Answer

@Rob Stauffer   before you look for solutions based on the size of the yard make sure decreasing size will significantly decrease cost.  Just getting the mower on the property has a base cost.  Best advice is make it easier to mow and maybe that gets you a better price.  You could have a landscaper come out and make suggestions on turning area to hardscape but there is a big cost there. If you have a treed area in the back you can section off that is a plus. Get some other landscapers to price it for you.

Theresa Harris · Answer

It is a shared yard or does each side have their own?  When renting, include mowing the lawn as part of the lease or add the cost of mowing (eg $50 per month-because you don't have to cut the grass all year) into the rent and advertize it as such.

If the tenants don't water the lawn, it won't grow as fast.

put down landscaping fabric and some larger gravel with pavers and make part of it into a sitting area.

Que Tran · Answer

@Rob Stauffer

For duplexes that are side by side, you can have the tenants do their side of the yard. But, if you're in a lease, and already listed it as owner maintaining, you'll need to continue until the lease is up for renewal.

But if the duplex is 1st and 2nd floor, it is harder to determine who will be responsible. Typically owner does maintain the lawn with their layout. You can require the 1st floor to mow, but now, there needs to be a rent discount, or you need to provide the mower, maybe the gas and can also.

Tenants do get lazy, get home late from work, it's raining out, it's too hot, baby is sleeping... excuses to not do it. Better to just have a reliable service to cut. It avoids getting a fine for tall grass, and piece of mind.

Or, landscape with mulch and stone. The initial investment will be great,  but yearly savings is worth it. Just don't make it look stupid,  and reverse the equity.

Caroline Gerardo · Answer

Reseed with clover. Can White Dutch clover survive in wherever this is?  It may only need a monthly or every five weeks mowing. Cheap, still looks green so existing tenant can't complain. I would never have a tenant do the maintenance, no one will do it to my standards.

Billy Smith · Answer

Try to find a high school kid who may want to take a crack at it .

Nathan Gesner · Answer

Since it's costing you "a lot of money" I have to assume you're hiring someone. It's better to make the Tenants responsible for basic lawn care. Or add the lawn care to the cost of their rent.

Large backyard mowing alternatives?

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