Is it okay to ask my tenant to cut the grass?

[Samantha P.]

I own a duplex. Is it okay to ask my tenants to cut the grass if i provide the lawn mower? Or is this tacky? The yard isn’t that big.

[Wesley W.]

I would not, under any circumstances, provide the lawnmower.  If someone gets hurt via its use, your butt will be in a sling of epic proportions.

Usually landlords have a provision in the lease that says X tenant is responsible for mowing the grass, and if that task is neglected, the landlord will pay for it to be done and bill it back to the tenant.