Renting and Landscape. Who's responsible?
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graygables · 05-27-2010, 09:07 PM

We are renting a house. The yard is a HOT MESS. It wasn't horrible when we moved in, but the winter really did a number on it. It is really awful, pretty much patches of dirt with a few prickly weeds here and there and ants EVERYWHERE. We've tried to kill them, but they still keep popping up around the property. I don't think it's our responsibility, other than maintenance (even though the landlady said she'd send a relative-kid to cut our grass, no one ever comes, so we're doing it), but my mom seems to think I should be sinking money into landscaping and sod.

I'm putting in a few flowers in a corner that was just dirt/weeds, but am I am responsible for beautification? It's not discussed in the lease, btw, AND I can't get the landlord to come repair things that were a problem when we moved in.

If I am responsible, should I ask her permission before I lay down a bunch of gravel paths and mulch?

elisa1006 · 05-27-2010, 10:52 PM

IMO you are responsible. It's up to you if you spend money planting things, or just let it go. We have rented before, and it was up to us. We did ask before laying gravel and concrete, but the landlord was happy and said yes b/c it was an improvement. I wouldn't spend a lot of money on the place unless you are planning to stay a while.

graygables · 05-27-2010, 11:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by elisa1006

I wouldn't spend a lot of money on the place unless you are planning to stay a while.

Yep, we just signed a 12 mo lease.

Teresa · 05-27-2010, 11:56 PM

Legally, she's responsible. You are not expected to make improvements to the property that isn't yours. You could call her and tell her it needs done: does she want to have someone do it or does she want you to do it with reimbursement? If she says you - you might want to get a recording or written agreement.

I guess it depends on what you think you can live with for the next year.

fairestofthemall · 05-27-2010, 11:57 PM

We have a rental house. The renters are responsible for maintaining the yard. All they do is mow and trim the bushes. Which is fine with us.

I would want to know if they were planning on putting down gravel or concrete. However, if it were an improvement then it would not bother me. They way you describe the yard, I can not imagine your landlord not letting you do what you want.

Try Sevin Dust (best stuff I have seen for killing ants) on the ants you can get it at Lowes or Wal-Mart. There is also a fertilizer made with ant killer in it - that might work better yard wide.

Good luck with your yard.

Danielle

wheatenwalker · 05-28-2010, 06:31 AM

I wouldnt spend money improving someplace I didnt own.... I can see where maintaining could be the tenants responsibilty but not improving.....
Is there some kind of legal (free) aid place that can update you on tenants rights?

Huntermom · 05-28-2010, 06:59 AM

I am not sure about in Florida but unless the yard is a hazard, I don't think you will be able to force the landlord to improve it. Maybe assist you in getting rid of the ants (if that in not common to the area) but landcaping? No. I suspect that while the winter may have done some damage, it wasn't beautifully landscaped when you rented.

You may want to ask your landlord if she will pay for materials, if you do the work. I don't think she has an obligation but I've seen a lot of landlords see this sharing as mutually beneficial.

**Caldercup** · 05-28-2010, 08:25 AM

I believe it's something that's supposed to be clearly defined in the leasing documents.

I wouldn't expect a landlord to put in annuals or sod, but I'd expect them to handle hazards (like a fallen tree) and to maintain the property.

Cutting the grass is one of those things that's in the gray area, and should be in the leasing documents.

B.M. · 05-28-2010, 09:03 AM

Cutting grass is according to the lease. Many landlords include it, many say it's the renters responsibility. There is no right or wrong. Anything above that is not expected by renter or owner unless the lease specifies it.

RobDVC · 05-28-2010, 09:34 AM

If it's not in the lease, it's the landlord's responsibility.
You could offer to do it for them, at a price.

daddyof2princessess · 05-28-2010, 09:48 AM

If there is major damage the landlord is responsible for. Improvements for appearance and personal taste are the renters responsibility.

eff051102 · 05-28-2010, 01:07 PM

We were always responsible for grass cutting, watering the yard and keeping a
clean area. If I wanted to plant something then I had to ask if it was larger than
flowers. Work on the house itself is up to the landlord. We had a wood fence that
needed tons of work. We just made sure it wasn't falling over and finally the
landlord replaced it.

I wouldn't do tons but I would buy some fertilizer with ant killer and spread that
out. I would also cut the grass and if you want to plant some flowers I would do
it in big pots.

Chrissi · 05-29-2010, 05:09 PM

If it's not outlined in the lease, it's the landlord's responsibility.

We always call our landlord to let him know - so he has the option of doing it himself at his price or letting us take care of whatever is needed and just subtracting it from the rent and providing him with a copy of the receipt.

Danielle Harmon · 05-31-2010, 04:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Teresa

Legally, she's responsible. You are not expected to make improvements to the property that isn't yours. You could call her and tell her it needs done: does she want to have someone do it or does she want you to do it with reimbursement? If she says you - you might want to get a recording or written agreement.

I guess it depends on what you think you can live with for the next year.

I would have to agree with Teresa. Any "improvements" we have made to rental properties we have done with the landlord's permission and either reimbursement after the fact or all the materials purchased by landlord. Our last 2 landlords...one in Hawaii and one in England...gave us back our full deposit and didn't ask for our last month's rent because of all the "improvements" and/or handy work we did in the two houses. I realize that is not the norm...I am very grateful to have been blessed with wonderful landlords...but our natural desire to make the space "ours" and our mindset of treating a place like it was a home we were going to live in forever helped our landlords a lot. Why did we do it...they were good people to us from the beginning and because ya catch more flies with honey!