Tenants divorcing, wife unable to care for lawn. Advice please.

[Emilio Garibaldi Jr]

This is my first rental property and trying to learn the ropes. I would appreciate any feedback.

The property is rented for 1200 a month. Husband, wife and 3 kids.  They are getting divorced and husband has moved out. In the lease, they were responisble for certain items such as the maintaining of the lawn, the husband use to cut the grass with the riding lawnmower because the propery is close to an acre. Lawn has not been cut in over a month and this is rainy season in Florida. I am thinking that the property might be too much for the wife to handle by herself. My question is how should i approach this.

1. Eat the cost of lawn service myself.

2. Explain to tenant lawn is in the lease as being taken care of by them (which i believe she might not be able to afford lawn service).

3. Have the lawn cut just this once and tell her to up keep it from here on out. 

4. Give her some type of ultimatum.  

As i said this is my first rental and i am learning as i go. I want to approach this the right way but am conflicted on how.  I would greatly appreciate some thoughts on this issue.  

Thank you in advance.

-Emilio

[Peter M.]

Talk to her first and explain the situation, get her side of the story. Just go by your lease.  If it says they are responsible send her a cure or quit letter which basically says "you are in violation of lease paragraph x. If the lawn is not mowed and maintained within x days you will be in default." 

Also call the husband. His name is on the lease as well. Just because he no longer lives there does not mean he is no longer responsible (unless you removed him from the lease). 

It seems a lot of people on here are so quick to jump to sending letters and eviction. Most people are genuine and just talking to them can usually clear up an issue before the courts are involved.