Why Tenants Don’t Do Landscaping (and What We Can Do About It)
You’ve probably had that moment—you pull up to one of your rental properties and feel your heart sink. The lawn looks like a jungle, weeds are overtaking the flower beds, and the neighbors are giving you that look.
Rental property landscaping is one of those areas where tenants often fall short, and honestly, it’s one of the most frustrating parts of managing a rental. Not because tenants are trying to be difficult, but because property appearance matters—both for value and community reputation. So why is it such a recurring issue?
Why Tenants Don’t Keep Up With Landscaping
1. It’s Not Their Home (Long-Term)
Even good tenants can struggle to feel a sense of ownership over landscaping. They’re renting, and for many, that means minimal emotional or financial investment in things like lawn health or curb appeal.
2. Lack of Equipment
Most tenants aren’t showing up with a lawn mower, hedge trimmer, and leaf blower in tow. And even if they did, not everyone knows how to keep a lawn from turning brown or a hedge from swallowing a front porch.
3. Don’t Know-How or Don’t Want To Learn
Let’s face it—not everyone grew up mowing lawns or planting shrubs. Some tenants are genuinely overwhelmed by the idea of yard care. If they’ve never done it, it’s easy to ignore it or do it poorly, even if they’re trying.
4. Transitioning from Apartment to House
Many renters transition from apartment living, where landscaping is handled by someone else. When they move into a rental house, they don’t always realize that tenant yard care responsibilities now fall on them—even if it’s clearly outlined in the lease.
5. It’s Just Not a Priority
People are busy—working, parenting, studying—and lawn care rarely tops the to-do list. If it’s not enforced, it gets ignored.
Why It’s a Problem for Landlords
Poor landscaping isn’t just an eyesore—it affects property value, invites complaints from neighbors and HOAs, and can lead to fines or damage (roots in the foundation, anyone?). It also sets a tone: neglected landscaping often signals a neglected property, which can attract the wrong kind of attention.
So What Can We Do?
Here are some landlord maintenance tips to keep your property in better shape without losing your sanity:
1. Build It Into the Rent
One of the best solutions is to hire a landscaping service and roll the cost into the rent. It’s clean, consistent, and guarantees your property stays presentable. The nicer the neighborhood the more this option makes sense. A simple yard can cost $200-250 per month and look phenomenal.
2. Clarify Expectations in the Lease
In the lease agreement we spell out exactly what “landscaping” means: mowing frequency, weed control, watering, leaf pickup, etc. Grass height must be kept below 3 inches. A portion of the charges related to yard cleaning can be charged back to the tenants at move out if the yard is out of control.
3. Conduct Regular Drive-Bys or Inspections
A quick drive-by every few months helps you stay ahead of any major problems. Better to catch an overgrown lawn at month two than month ten. If you conduct a drive by of your rental and discover that the yard is overgrown, contact your property manager and they will send a notification to the tenant.
4. Choose Low-Maintenance Landscaping
Simplify landscaping before placing the property for rent or at the turn. Think rock beds, native plants, or a simple lawn. The less there is to maintain, the fewer things tenants can ignore.
Final Thoughts
We get it—landscaping can seem like a small detail in property management. But without the right property management landscaping solutions, it can snowball into a bigger problem fast. A well-maintained yard sets the tone for everything else about the property, from pride of residence to rental value.
With a little planning and a lot of patience, landscaping doesn’t have to be the thorn in your side.