Most renters are content with an uncomplicated and easy-to-maintain yard as it wouldn’t be hard for them to keep up. And if the landscaping is manageable, then property owners can within reason trust that their tenants would put in time and energy to make sure it is kept looking nice. Owners should clearly explain their expectations about keeping up the yard, and who is responsible for mowing lawns, weeding flower beds or gravel areas, and so on.
Discovering a tenant who is amenable to accomplish all of these tasks is excellent. But what if a tenant aspires to perform alterations that exceed basic maintenance, especially those that would include permanently modifying elements of the garden and landscaping? Tenants with a green thumb may want to make certain changes, such as adding, moving, or cutting down trees or other plantings, planting a vegetable garden, or even installing a fence, walkway, or patio.
Anticipating that a tenant will manage an orderly yard is one thing; executing significant modifications without your approval, however attractive or professionally done, is another. Alterations of this sort are in direct violation of most leases. In fact, if a tenant does alter the landscaping, it is their responsibility to put it back to its original condition upon moving out. If they can’t (or won’t), they may be subject to penalties or even eviction proceedings.
As difficult as it may be to think, some tenants of Omaha rental homes may not understand that going past their contractual landscaping maintenance responsibilities may violate the terms of their lease. They may even feel that they are doing the property owner a kindness by producing something pretty in the yard. For this reason, property owners must be careful to make the distinction between maintenance and major alterations clear and to explain any possible legal action that may result entirely.
At Real Property Management Legacy, we include clear statements about yard maintenance and alterations in all of our leases, taking the speculation out of the equation. We also perform regular property evaluations for all of our clients, and can take suitable action to have trees and bushes trimmed, lawns edged, or intervene in a resident’s unsanctioned yard improvement plans, if required. If you would like to learn more about our property management services in Omaha, please contact us online or call 402-905-0459 for details.