Tenant decoration advice

[Karyn S.]

I have this tenant, there for almost 1.5 years. SFH. M2M lease. She is good overall - pays on time, no issues from her. Single mom with one kid, we think she will be a long term renter.

But, she keeps a very sloppy yard (yes, I’ve been in house and also not very neat). Neighbors keep meticulous yards. I talked to landscaper friend about him taking over yard care this year and was going to update lease in the next month and up rent to cover. Right now everyone’s yards look like crap because it’s winter in New England. But she still has a couple Halloween decorations out. I’ve been ignoring that (although plan to address in updated lease!) but the neighbors called my husband and complained about the decorations still being there. They are meticulous, but very nice neighbors that we want to stay on good terms with. I’m guessing they just don’t like the overall sloppiness of her yard care. There’s nothing specifically illegal or against the current lease about still having a skeleton and cobwebs out. Don’t want to text her to put them away and then send new lease and rent increase as though that’s the only reason. Also don’t want the neighbors to think they can start complaining to us every time they have a neighbor issue. Yet want to be on good terms with them.

Would you ask to take them down? Or just wait and address with the updated lease and rent?

Thanks.

[Karyn S.]

Thanks Eric and Sue.

I’m going to let her know by March 1, going into effect May 1 when mowing season starts up. She’s definitely within market value, especially since we allow pets and she is very close to the beach.

We are closing on our second SFH investment in 1 month, so just also taking notes for things that I might not have thought to spell out in the lease - such as taking down holiday decorations in a timely fashion. Lease definitely specifies keeping neat - but I guess that can be a subjective term. Would prefer to not have a vacancy while diving into the mass reno of the new house we are buying, but will deal if it happens. At least May is getting into prime beach season as a selling point. And definitely plan to keep both leases M2M - prefer the flexibility!