So, all of the options you mentioned would not be legal.http://www.nolo.com/legal-encyclopedia/tenants-rig...

thanks joe and nicole. it's hypothetical.the yard is maybe 150 fenced sqft. so its a little manual non-gas powered push mower and/or those electric grass cutters with string. we just keep them in the storage for tenant, but i just dont want the liability.

If not now, then at time of renewal next year.And yes, landlording is hard, no easy cookie cutter solution for everything.  

A friend of mine just added another lawn cutting rig to his fleet .

And it sounds like similar to your town, that building's age is the norm and the young professionals aren't racing to live in the cookie cutter homes 20 minutes of town.  

Basically, a compromise.Here's the article I found on PA law on tenants breaking leases:http://www.nolo.com/legal-encyclopedia/tenants-rig...

I'd also include a paragraph stating that any additional costs relating to their breach of contract may be sent in a future bill, after costs can be assessed, if necessary beyond the security deposit money.Here's an article on breaking a lease in KY:http://www.nolo.com/legal-encyclopedia/tenants-rig...So, you'll probably be able to legally keep their security deposit, then you will have to decide if it's worth suing them for more than that.

Mom states she's a "coupon cutter" which (to me) implies a food hoarder. 

If you have an angle grinder grab a $5 diamond cutting disk and use that to cut the lip off if you don’t want to spend $40 renting a concrete cutter for a 3 minute job.

I'm glad I didn't, as I'm sure he would have feebly blamed the credit industry for their "rigged system" just like you have in your post.This is a great lesson because applicants and tenants alike will attempt to emotionally appeal to the landlord to rationalize a red flag on an application or a late rent payment.