Who should pay for lawn care: tenant or landlord?
Around half a million families in New Zealand rent their homes, which means they are paying the homeowner to live in a property that’s not theirs. In most cases, the arrangement is straightforward. The renter treats it like their own and respects it, pays the bills, and hands over rent payment to the landlord or an agency.
But what is often less clear is who takes care of the yard. Who should pay for lawn care – the tenant or the landlord? The answer may surprise you because it’s not straightforward.
Lawns and gardens
You will find in most tenancy agreements that it’s up to each tenant to tend to the gardens and mow the lawns. How that is achieved is up to that tenant. They may like to call in lawn care experts to take care of them, have their family do it, or handle it themselves.
The lawns and gardens, outlined by the Government’s Tenancy Services, refer to the mowing of lawns and the weeding of gardens. In essence, they must be properly maintained. If you do not own a lawnmower, or you don’t know the difference between a weed and a waterlily, then it’s a good idea to arrange for someone to take care of them for you. This would be completed at your cost, not at your landlord’s.
Trees, shrubs, and hedges
The tenant is in charge of mowing lawns and tending to the gardens, but what about shrubs, hedges, and tree trimming? In most cases, this is up to the landlord. Tree trimming, hedge pruning, and shrub maintenance are at the discretion of the homeowner.
They can hire someone to take care of it when the tenant believes it’s required, or they can come in and do it themselves with permission from the tenant. The maintenance of trees, shrubs, and hedges also involves the removal of green waste once the job is complete.
Tenancy agreements
So, we now know that a landlord will take care of hedges, trees, and shrubs and that tenants are tasked with lawn mowing and gardening. But when do those roles change or could change? If there are going to be any changes in responsibilities, they will be (or should be) outlined in the tenancy agreement.
Sometimes, landlords like to take on the full responsibility of yard care, or prefer to outsource the entire task to experts while wearing the costs themselves. Other times, they request that those on the tenancy agreement manage all parts of yard maintenance, but with permission for any dramatic changes.
Each tenancy agreement will differ, and it’s up to the landlord and renter to agree with how best to keep the yard in tip-top shape.
Any changes
What happens if a tree has become dangerous, but is protected? Or what if the hedge is dying, taking over the neighbouring property, or is limiting sunlight onto the property? Even though trees, bushes, or hedges might be causing problems, a tenant can’t grab a weed whacker or chainsaw and go in guns blazing. Instead, they must talk to the landlord, have them agree to maintenance, or have them carry it out themselves.
Every now and again, situations may arise where a tree is protected under the Resource Management Act 1991. Before a landlord or tenant cuts a tree down, they must check its status with their local authority. If it is protected, then the landlord may need to apply for a special permit or court order to trim, maintain, or fell a tree.
Best yards for rental properties
As a landlord, it probably doesn’t cross your mind how to structure your lawn care while renting out your home. However, if you purchase a property with that intention, then think about the best yard changes you can make to benefit yourself, a property manager if applicable, and a tenant.
The more thought you put into your yard, the more peace of mind you can enjoy while a tenant lives comfortably in your property. Think about the value full fencing can bring to your home, and how it allows you to open up your property to pet owners.
It’s also worth considering low maintenance plants such as tussocks and succulents and laying weed mat with stones or bark, rather than soil.
Some landlords may also like to consider addressing any plants that thrive too quickly. Otherwise, they will spend a lot more time and money than they might care to, ensuring it’s not inconveniencing the tenants.
It’s a team effort
Both tenants and landlords have a responsibility for the maintenance of a property. The tenant must care for the lawns and gardens, but hedges, shrubs, and trees fall under the responsibility of the landlord.
Given the complexities of the laws and grey areas in tenancy agreements, there’s every reason to look at your options surrounding outsourcing to a lawn care expert. A skilled gardener, lawnmower, and tree trimmer can take care of everything to benefit both parties. You can’t put a price on that convenience.