When the weather starts to warm up, it can usually get a tenant’s green thumb itching to start a garden. But understandably, as a Logan landlord, you are normally eager and more interested in multiplying the value of your investment property. A tenant’s need for a garden can now and again be at odds with your need to protect your property from changes, however small. Allowing your renters to plant garden beds in the yard of your rental house comes with quite a few pros and cons. Before you give your tenant permission to start digging, here are just a few necessary attributes to take into consideration.
Local Ordinances
It may catch you by surprise to know that various towns have laws that prohibit residential property owners from growing a garden, at least in the front yard. Others may have restrictions on what type of plants can be grown or how much water any one property resident can use. Hence, be certain to check your local ordinances in preparation for allowing any garden requests.
Potential Advantages
Having a garden in the backyard may increase the value of your property most of the time. It really depends on your target renter demographic and where your property is located. If your tenant would like a garden very badly, enabling them to do so could make them pleased, which will, in all likelihood, have them stay in your rental longer. A happy tenant typically results in better long-term cash flows, so it may be worth the risk to enable them to plant their garden.
Costs of Restoration
But on the flip side, it’s imperative to think about the downsides of allowing your tenant to put garden beds in the yard. For example, if your current tenant leaves, you may be stuck with the role of restoring the yard to its original condition. This will definitely involve costs that may or may not be fully covered by their security deposit, which specifies you’ll be paying out of pocket to get it carried out.
Neglect by Future Tenants
Another possible nuisance to enabling garden beds is what happens when your current tenant walks away. If you opt to keep the garden beds, there is no certainty at all that your next tenant will have the skills or the time and desire to keep them tidy and weed-free. The added worry and burden of yard maintenance could bring on overall neglect of the property’s landscaping, which would put in peril your property values and create headaches for you.
Consider Compromise
Even though you’ve already concluded to refuse your tenant’s request for garden beds, you could actually consider extending them a compromise instead. For instance, maybe you could grant permission for some new flower beds along a walkway or under a window instead of larger garden beds. Or, look into authorizing a few large containers for their garden project, particularly raised planters or tubs. These can be situated on a patio or in a discreet location not to damage existing landscaping but definitely still provide your tenant the fulfillment of growing things.
When it comes to tenant garden beds, it’s significant to look at all aspects of the question when making your decision. Each property and situation is different, so ultimately, only you can decide.
Then again, you don’t need to make difficult decisions about your investment property all on your own. At Real Property Management Cache Valley, we have experienced Logan property managers who collaborate closely with rental property investors like you to help handle tenant requests and protect your property’s value. Contact us today to learn more.
We are pledged to the letter and spirit of U.S. policy for the achievement of equal housing opportunity throughout the Nation. See Equal Housing Opportunity Statement for more information.
