What would you do with this rental property back yard?

Question

Looking to see what other landlords would do with the back yard at this rental property. Tenants will be responsible for yard maintenance. The former owner's idea was to plant moss in between all the stones so they wouldn't have to mow but it ended up just turning into a weedy mess which I just cleaned up. I'm open to any ideas but so far my thoughts are 1. keep the stones and just plant grass in between them. 2. keep the stones and find something else to plant between them that doesn't need mowed (no idea what though) 3. get rid of all the stones and plant grass. Right now I'm leaning toward just planting grass between the stones. Tenants will need to mow a strip out front regardless. What are all your thoughts?

Darius Ogloza · Answer

You are asking a really interesting question that goes right to the heart of what being a residential landlord means to you. Is providing an inviting place for your tenant to live of high value to you? Or is the property and those who live there just numbers on a ledger? Personally, that is the most uninviting backyard I may have ever seen. Sitting in that backyard i would naturally entertain thoughts of suicide. I personally would spend the money to make something nice but then probably live to regret the decision after getting crapped on by yet another tenant.

Theresa Harris · Answer

I'd leave some of the stones to have a patio area for eating and a pathway to the shed. You can lift them, level the ground, lay some landscaping fabric, replace them and put smaller pebbles between them. Then I'd put grass down on the rest.

Jackie Cramer · Answer

Cover it with carpet or better yest used astroturf.

No kidding...google it

James Mc Ree · Answer

I would remove the stones and plant grass. You might be able to sell the stones or get a discount on removing them if you find a landscaper who can use them in a stone wall or walkway. I've seen many walkways just like that, but not too many whole backyards.

Zachary Ray · Answer

It is a rental so really it depends on if you want to put more work into it. It is more than sufficient.

Sharlene Mulchandani · Answer

@Joe P. I would suggest removing the stones entirely and planting grass, maybe adding a few low maintenance plants too.

Justin V. · Answer

@Joe P.

Need any yard furniture for your home? I’d stage it with yard furniture, and outdoor rug and some potted plants which would also look very nice in my own back yard.

They’ll either be inspired and copy you or not care and do what they want.

Hurts when tenants let the lawn die or gardens go to waste. I imagine this will hurt much less.

Joe P. · Answer

Thanks for the replys everyone. I think I'm going to pull them all up and sell them. Then plant grass and maybe some other plants. I've got some square concrete stones I'm going to use for a walkway out back.

What would you do with this rental property back yard?

What would you do with this rental property back yard?

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