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| For
both those who rent and those who let out, the rental property's lawn and
garden can be a real source of conflict. We would suggest a preemptive strike
in this area. Proper thought and planning can stop the garden being a lessor/tenant
battleground, and ensure it is the peaceful retreat it should be. Most
garden conflicts centre around the lawn. Today's renters are getting busier,
and often don't have time for the mowing and watering required to keep a
bowling green look. Many renters too, such as students, do not own a lawnmower.
Since a large proportion of "rent by owner" properties are the classic second
home suburban investment, with large expanses of green, we have a situation
headed for trouble. |
| If
you are a property owner developing a newly built home for rental, landscaping
a run down property, or simply fed up with knee high grass in your property,
there are many things you can do to plan against lawn conflicts from the
outset. Firstly, you can decide whether to have a lawn or not. This is an
option particularly for the small or inner city garden. |
| You
can: |
| |
Advantages
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Disadvantages
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pave with bricks or stone
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very low maintenance
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expensive
|
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can look great with shady shrubs:lawns struggle in low light
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hot in sunlight
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tough surface for heavy traffic
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hard look that needs softening with tub plants (that are not recommend
for rental gardens due to watering needs), or soften with lush rambling
vegetation climbing over walls
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gravel
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relatively cheap
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weeds can be a problem
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can look good
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wooden deck
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good for sloping sites
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expensive
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ongoing maintenance
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broadleaf groundcover
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can have no mowing requirements
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can take a while to establish, have less wear tolerance, more weeds.
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