Hire a tenant to landscape?

[Erin Anderegg]

Hi all, my husband and I just bought a duplex earlier this month with the plan to self manage and house hack. The tenant who is staying said the last landlord wouldn't let him fix the landscape. He wants to take out some dead bushes, put down mulch, and add some borders to the beds and driveway. He told me he is the foreman who runs the job sites, but not the owner. I asked him for references and looked up the company. The only info on the company is that the LLC is not in good standing. I can't find out why at this point.

Would it be wise to pay the tenant to do the work? Should I hire his company? I don't really want to hire his company at this point, but wanted to get your thoughts.

[Caroline Gerardo]

Nope. Just no. Make your own landscaping choices, contract, and design. He never said he was doing this for free and it entangles your relationship. Will he be allowed to store irrigation equipment out back now? 

You should pull out the dead bushes and mulch for $20 yourself.