Investor · Shawnee Mission, KS · Member since 2016 · 10 posts · 2 votes
Just curious how other landlords handle landscaping and lawn care for single family homes? Do you require your tenant to do it all or hire a company? What about landscaping, like pulling weeds in flower beds and mulching?
Rental Property Investor · Gainesville, FL · Member since 2015 · 1k+ posts · 432 votes
10y
I want my homes to continue with the curb appeal so I have a lawn guy that tends to my properties. I've seen too many properties where tenants are hacking the lawn.
I have one property that has a lot of bushes and my lawn company takes very good care of the property for a good fee. I've had to let 2 previous single-man companies go as it was too much for them and the work was not being done. Another property I turned into a 80% oasis so that I there would be little to no maintenance.
Rental Property Investor · Gainesville, FL · Member since 2015 · 1k+ posts · 432 votes
10y
I want my homes to continue with the curb appeal so I have a lawn guy that tends to my properties. I've seen too many properties where tenants are hacking the lawn.
I have one property that has a lot of bushes and my lawn company takes very good care of the property for a good fee. I've had to let 2 previous single-man companies go as it was too much for them and the work was not being done. Another property I turned into a 80% oasis so that I there would be little to no maintenance.
Residential Real Estate Broker · San Antonio, TX · Member since 2016 · 506 posts · 311 votes
10y
Mine have a specific clause detailing lawn care responsibilities and weekly foundation watering, as well. Slabs in many parts of Texas can move all over the place...
Lawns are green things and should improve with proper care.
It's the responsibility of the tenant for mine. If they drop the ball, I'll hire someone and bill the tenant. I don't have any landscaping (shrubbery/flower beds) at my new rental. My old rental does and I go every now and then and hedge trim. On my future rentals I'll definitely rip out any shrubs/bushes and get rid of flower beds. You can do things like a couple of planters, shutters and stone walkways to make the curb appeal plenty to renters.
Investor · Century, FL · Member since 2015 · 950 posts · 603 votes
10y
Generally the tenant is required, but if for some reason they can't, we ask them to call us and we'll come out and do it when we do some other lawns. It takes 20 minutes to sort a yard out.
Tenants are irresponsible and generally lazy when it comes to lawn care. If you get a tenant that loves doing the work great but this is very rare. I also do not want the liability risk associated with tenants doing work on my property.
I would prefer to hire someone and simply reflect the cost in the rental amount.
Investor · Shawnee Mission, KS · Member since 2016 · 10 posts · 2 votes
10y
@James DeRoest & @Justin Fox, What about landscaping and flowerbeds - even putting mulch down? Is this something you hire out or is this your tenants responsibility as well?
Rental Property Investor · Madison, WI · Member since 2013 · 629 posts · 339 votes
10y
We actually prefer to rent to tenants who are gardeners, and we say so in our ads and during screening. We don't require anything beyond mowing the lawn. If the flower beds need weeding or mulching, we do that- spot checking maybe 3x per growing season. But I love gardening. And one of our current tenants loves gardening even more~ she's making the place look fantastic, and the gardeners in the other units are stepping up their game, too.
Investor · Shawnee Mission, KS · Member since 2016 · 10 posts · 2 votes
10y
I probably should significantly reduce the amount of flowerbeds on the property. haha. It didn't even cross my mind when I rented the place out. Hiring a company seems to be the best option for now.