Tip of the Month –Tree Trimming at Your Rental

One of the most troublesome areas for the single family home rental is yard and landscaping maintenance. Whether it’s merely mowing the grass or maintaining thousands of dollars in professionally installed landscaping, this area is a continuing source of issues.

Unless the lease states otherwise, all lawn and landscaping maintenance is the landlord’s duty. If the responsibility falls to the tenant, the lease should provide in clear language, identifying and specifying just what maintenance is required. The term “landscaping maintenance” can mean anything and should be explained and itemized. Tree trimming, however, is one area of landscape maintenance that a property owner should keep the responsibility because of the heavy risk of serious injury and death.

There are many benefits of tree trimming besides the obvious overall improvement to the appearance of your home and view.

Here’s what you need to know:

• Tree trimming can prolong the life of your trees by removing dead and insect-infested or diseased limbs before they start to impact the overall health of the tree.
• Overgrown tree branches hanging over your home can cause damage to windows, the side of your house and to the roof.
• Dead and rotting limbs can fall and injure someone on the ground or damage cars and other property.
• Because of the danger involved, if you decide to hire a tree trimming service, make sure to ask for proof of insurance before they get started.

The good news is, tree trimming is not a regular form of landscaping maintenance like mowing the lawn, usually only needed once a year or on an as-needed basis. The professional property managers at our Real Property Management offices are always watching out for your best interest to keep your investment safe.

Find your local office here!

 

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