For most renters, they usually opt for a simple and easy to maintain yard. If the landscaping is manageable, it would be reasonable for property owners to expect that their tenants would dedicate a bit of their time and effort to maintain it. 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.
To have a tenant who will care for your property is great, but what happens if a tenant wants to do more and make changes that go past the typical basic maintenance, especially those that would require permanently changing the style of the garden and landscaping? Tenants with a green thumb may want to make specific changes, such as adding, moving, or cutting down trees or other plantings, planting a vegetable garden, or even installing a fence, walkway, or patio.
Assuming that a tenant would maintain and tidy a yard is one thing; making significant alterations without consent, however attractive or professionally done, is another. Alterations of this kind 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 could turn out to be, tenants of Churchill rental homes may not understand that going past their contractual landscaping maintenance responsibilities may violate the terms of their lease. They may even believe that they are doing the property owner a favor by building something pretty in the yard. Thus, 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 Bozeman, we include clear statements about yard maintenance and alterations in all of our leases, taking the guesswork out of the equation. We also perform regular property evaluations for all of our clients, and can take appropriate action to have trees and bushes trimmed, lawns edged, or intervene in a resident’s unsanctioned yard improvement plans, if needed. If you would like to learn more about our property management services in Churchill, please contact us online or call 406-586-2226 for details.