Newbie Question - Landscaping

[Mike B.]

Summary: We converted our primary home into a rental house earlier this year. The home is in a new master-planned community within a fast-growing Austin suburb. All of the homes are fully landscaped with HOA requirements that the front yard landscaping stays maintained. The home is on a premium lot that backs up to a green belt with about 10 trees that shade the front and backyard. The greenbelt and trees were a major selling point when we leased the house.

ISSUE: Yesterday I was at the house and noticed the bermudagrass has nearly completely died off in the backyard. The tenant is trying his best, but Bermuda grass can not grow in the shade. Half of the backyard is dirt now and I think future tenants will have an expectation that there will be grass there. My rent is currently 10% below the market rate. I want to be sure to increase the rent when our tenant decides to move out. 

QUESTION: Should I, as the landlord, plan to landscape the backyard when the tenant moves out in a year or two? It would be a large expense to install shade tolerant (Zoysia) grass in the backyard. This is my only rental house and I'd need to budget for the additional expenses. Also, I have concerns future tenants would not maintain the backyard anyway. 

NOTE: I should also mention my tenant owns a lawn and pest control company. His business is the treatment and fertilization of lawns. If he can't get the bermudagrass to grow nobody can. Is it unprofessional to just provide him a pallet of Zoysia grass during his next lease renewal and let him do the work?  

[Bruce Woodruff]

You're right, if the current guy cannot get the grass to stay nice, then most other tenants will have no chance (if they even care which is doubtful)

I would take out the grass and bring in DG....the gold stuff is a bit more expensive but worth it. Then plant some agave and cactus, or similar....no more issues and no water bills ever again.

FYI, I paid about $350 for a 20 ton truck....you'll need a Bobcat to spread it ($100 day). You didn't mention the size of your yard, but if its a typical residential lot, you should be able to get by with 3-4 truckloads...