Orlando, FL · Member since 2016 · 70 posts · 5 votes
I'm about to close on a duplex next week. There is currently one vacant side. The previous landlord had the tenants do the lawn care and it shows. I spoke to the existing tenant, and she said her roommate used to do some of it. The yard is in really bad shape, so I planning to resod it.
What are your thoughts on having the tenant do the lawn maintenance? The duplex is just in a left and right configuration, so they could take care of their own side. I'm guessing I would also need to provide some type of shed to store lawn equipment. The backyard is pretty small, so I don't really want to put two small sheds back there.
Do you normally just take care of lawn maintenance on multi-family units? I life in Florida, so the lawn would need to be mowed at least bi-monthly in the summer.
Investor · Pflugerville, TX · Member since 2014 · 79 posts · 22 votes
10y
In my contract, there is a section for "Maintenance". It specify that tenant is responsible for maintaining the lawn area, driveway, and sidewalk. You can possibly add a clause that tenant is responsible for paying the service fee if they need you to do the service.
I also assume tenant needs to have their own lawn mower and other tools to maintain the lawn. Of course, that is the normal trend the rental in my area, so I'm just following the trend. If every rental property in your area provides lawn equipment, then you should do that just to be competitive.
The reason, I don't like to provide too much tools to the tenant because when those tools break, you need to replace it.
Investor · Century, FL · Member since 2015 · 950 posts · 603 votes
10y
Most of our tenants look after the lawn. But we've told all of them that if it gets too much or they have a problem to contact us and we'll do it. It simply gets added into the rotation when we mow the other properties. Myself and my handyman who helps can mow something like 1/3 acre in maybe 10-15 minutes, so if someone gets behind, it's not that much of a big deal.
Plus, being a hands on landlord, it's a great opportunity to get onsite and have a poke around outside, make sure the property is ok, no leaks underneath, see how the property is being kept, and best of all - you have permission from the tenant to go onto the property. Call it a mini inspection.
As for Florida, do not underestimate how valuable a small utility trailer and a ride on mower is, especially in the summer.
Investor · Pflugerville, TX · Member since 2014 · 79 posts · 22 votes
10y
In my contract, there is a section for "Maintenance". It specify that tenant is responsible for maintaining the lawn area, driveway, and sidewalk. You can possibly add a clause that tenant is responsible for paying the service fee if they need you to do the service.
I also assume tenant needs to have their own lawn mower and other tools to maintain the lawn. Of course, that is the normal trend the rental in my area, so I'm just following the trend. If every rental property in your area provides lawn equipment, then you should do that just to be competitive.
The reason, I don't like to provide too much tools to the tenant because when those tools break, you need to replace it.
Investor · SE, MI · Member since 2013 · 1k+ posts · 461 votes
10y
We own multifamily and we take care of the lawns and snow. If it were a single family home we were renting, I might consider making them responsible, but for us this is working well. I live 15 minutes away so it isn't a big deal, plus they are all on tiny lots.
The duplex we bought last year has tenants responsible for lawn and snow in the leases, but we knew before we bought it that the landlord was taking care of it, and I would rather stay away from providing and maintaining equipment for tenants- to much liability. Plus, we take much better care than anyone else would!