Renter Seeking Landlords' Opinion / Side of Conversation

[Shawn Caldwell]

I've been leasing a detached house since Feb of 2019; roughly 30 months, with a yearly lease (which goes up every year)
I don't want to get into a ton of back history between the landlord and I because of any pre-conceived notions some might have, but I will say that I have never been late and have always made my monthly rent by the 1st (occasionally earlier). 

I do any 'small repairs' myself and do not even ask for compensation at this point because I know he will always come back with.. 'that's your responsibility'.  We live in a 'somewhat rural' area of Texas and he basically assumes, I'm a man.. I should just fix it and be done with it.. why am I bothering him about this or that.

The question I have is regarding a magnolia tree that is in the front yard.  It is approximately 50 ft tall and the lower branches are now hanging close to / touching the metal roof of the house.  He is demanding that I have somebody come out and trim the tree (quotes are between 450 - 800 dollars) and I believe that should be his responsibility.  The lease simply says the yard is to be maintained.  When I texted him about it and told him I don't believe that should fall under the typical "maintenance of the yard" he said "I wouldn't have u do it but I don't live there if it's causing damage or future problems u need to take care of it".

Should the trimming of an adult magnolia tree be considered my responsibility or his?

[Patti Robertson]

This is not a question we can answer based on the vague language of the lease you quoted.  It's up for interpretation, and the only way you can get a clear cut answer if you and the owner are at an impasse would be to get a Judge to decide. In my situation we consider trimming of bushes, weed eating, weeding, mowing, etc to be routine maintenance, but not trimming of trees.