Small multi maintenance

[Michael Totman]

Landlords, how are you handling your lawn care and other landscaping on small multis, 2 - 3 units? Every year I battle internally as to whether or not to continue doing it myself or require tenants to do it. Hiring a lawn service is not an option I want to consider.  They are small yards, takes about  3 - 4 hours a week, and so far I do not mind the task as I get to inspect the property regularly. 

I don't believe there are laws governing lawn mowing as there are with winter snow/ice control but I want my properties looking taken care of so as not to offend the neighbors and town officials. I don't need perfectly manicured lawns, just nothing overgrown. 

If you require tenants to do this, how do you control who does what and when without one tenant claiming it's not fair they do more than the other? The entire yard is considered the common area, no single tenant has exclusive use to a particular area.  

I do not want to offer lower rent or other compensation in exchange for property maintenance.  Its either the tenants responsibility or mine. 

Thanks for your help.

[Andrew Johnson]

Michael Totman So you're trying to figure out how to get tenants to take care of a shared common area (in addition to their "own" area) for free? You might get tenants to sign that they'll take care of it but: What's the schedule? Who provides the lawnmower? What if the lawnmower breaks? What if a tenant goes on vacation? Who pays for the gas? If the lawnmower is locked up, who has the key? What if the lawnmower gets stolen? If Tenant A misses a week or mowing Tenant B is going to be pissed off so a.) they won't do it, b.) they'll start a fight with Tenant A, or c.) call you pissed off. Maybe I'm a paranoid guy but "shared accountability" from renters (on just about anything) had more downside than upside.