Skip to content
×
Pro Members Get
Full Access!
Get off the sidelines and take action in real estate investing with BiggerPockets Pro. Our comprehensive suite of tools and resources minimize mistakes, support informed decisions, and propel you to success.
Advanced networking features
Market and Deal Finder tools
Property analysis calculators
Landlord Command Center
ANNUAL Save 16%
$32.50 /mo
$390 billed annualy
MONTHLY
$39 /mo
billed monthly
7 day free trial. Cancel anytime
General Landlording & Rental Properties
All Forum Categories
Followed Discussions
Followed Categories
Followed People
Followed Locations
Market News & Data
General Info
Real Estate Strategies
Landlording & Rental Properties
Real Estate Professionals
Financial, Tax, & Legal
Real Estate Classifieds
Reviews & Feedback

Updated about 9 years ago on . Most recent reply

User Stats

60
Posts
38
Votes
Lacee Beitler
  • Rental Property Investor
  • Pittsburgh, PA
38
Votes |
60
Posts

Shared lawn care question - one tenant just moved out.

Lacee Beitler
  • Rental Property Investor
  • Pittsburgh, PA
Posted
Hi everyone, Lawn care question about a duplex: *note: lawn care and snow removal is in both leases Care was split, tenant A tool care of back and side yard, tenant B took care of front (a hill). Tenant A has lived there for 30 years. This long term tenant started off like a dream, but recently has been very demanding. She is older and lives with her son, and they are now refusing to take care of the front lawn because Tenant B just moved out. They also will not pay for lawn care service to cut it. Lawn care is in both leases, but if one tenant moves out, can we make the current tenant take care of everything? Or do we have to do the other half/cover the cost of a lawn service until a new tenant moves in?

Most Popular Reply

User Stats

1,109
Posts
898
Votes
Mike Wood
  • Developer
  • New Orleans, LA
898
Votes |
1,109
Posts
Mike Wood
  • Developer
  • New Orleans, LA
Replied

@Lacee Beitler I also agree that it is not right or fair to make the remaining tenant take care of the lawn, given that it is shared.  I am not a fan of having tenants take care of lawn  (and snow removal) for a duplex, as each tenant is affected by the others actions or lack of actions.  

Personally, I would take this opportunity to take over the lawn and snow removal care, and increase the rent to cover the expense of having someone do this.  You might be out a few bucks until the remaining tenants lease expires and you can raise their rent, but it will make things easier in the future.  

Alternatively, you could offer the remaining tenant a discount on their rent to take care of the entire yard and snow removal, but only if you know they will regularly do it.

Loading replies...