Garden maintenance and rental properties
Gardens can be a real drawcard for a rental property, offering a refuge for tenants to relax in and a little extra space to call home.
But who’s responsible for the maintenance? And what sort of decisions can a tenant make about that garden?
Well let’s don the gardening gloves and embrace our green thumb as we tour the issue of garden maintenance and rental properties.
Who looks after a rental property garden?
In most cases the tenant is responsible for maintaining the gardens of a rental property, unless it is otherwise specified in the lease.
That means the tenant is responsible for keeping the gardens trimmed and tidy and ensuring the lawn is mowed.
In instances where the garden is large, such as an acreage property, or where it is complex and requires specialist upkeep, the landlord may wish to have lawn and garden maintenance undertaken by an external provider.
If this is the case, it needs to be noted in the lease, with a clear indication of the tasks that the gardener will undertake.
Tenant responsibilities when it comes to gardening
The garden maintenance responsibilities of a tenant shouldn’t be too cumbersome, and in most cases it involves mowing, edging, weeding, and picking up any small fallen branches or leaves to keep the garden in neat and tidy condition.
Again, the extent of the work required should be specified in the lease, and when it comes to bigger items of maintenance, this is where the property manager and landlord usually step in.
Tree trimming and tree lopping
While the tenant might look after minor tasks, the landlord is usually responsible for major works such as tree lopping and trimming.
This type of work is more specialist in nature and is usually undertaken by a trained gardener, arborist, tree lopper, or landscaper.
Fallen branches
When it comes to responsibility for fallen branches or palm fronds, determining who is responsible depends on the circumstances.
Often the tenant is responsible for clearing small branches, such as palm fronds, but large fallen limbs that require specialist equipment are the responsibility of the landlord, and the property manager should be notified if this occurs.
Can a tenant change the garden?
If you wish to make changes to the garden as a tenant, you need to consult with your property manager and landlord first if the impacts are likely to be permanent.
In other words, a portable herb garden probably won’t require permission, but a large vegetable patch that can’t easily be dismantled will.
Meanwhile, a tenant should not cut down tree or bushes without seeking permission.
If in doubt, it pays to ask your property manager before adding or subtracting anything from the garden.
It’s just like inside the home
In many ways responsibility for the garden is similar to the rights and responsibilities that tenants have inside the home.
In other words, the garden should be kept neat, tidy and free of damage, and if there’s an issue that needs remedying, you should contact your property manager.
Meanwhile, the condition of the garden is generally noted as part of the entry condition report. It’s then the responsibility of the tenant to ensure the garden remains in that condition throughout the tenancy.
How we can help
At Eview Group our experienced property managers pride themselves on establishing great relationships with both tenants and landlords. We appreciate as a tenant, the property you reside in is the place you call home.
You can learn more about our property management services here, or view our current rental opportunities available here.
