Rental Property Landscaping – Dos and Don’ts
Landlords have a lot of tasks on a daily basis. The only way to cope with this high demand for time and energy is by effective prioritization. With all the incoming emergency repair requests and late payment issues, it’s not a surprise that little to no attention is paid to landscaping.
Even though it may be hard to prioritize rental property landscaping, focusing more on the property’s exterior is a great idea, advises Alltrade Management. Your tenants value the exterior look of the rental unit as much as the interior design within the walls.
In this article, we’ll go over the main dos and don’ts of rental property landscaping. After finishing this piece, you’ll know where and how to put in the effort for landscaping improvements.
YES: Planting local plant varieties
Plant local flowers, bushes, and trees. The upfront cost of regional plants is lower, and you’ll cut on the expenses related to fertilization and irrigation. Your ecological footprint is going to be much smaller compared to growing exotic greenery.
NO: Creating a niche landscaping design
Don’t forget that your property mainly serves your tenants. It’s not your private home. When picking appropriate landscaping design solutions, consider average tastes and preferences. Eclectic and bold choices in the rental property’s yard could easily increase the vacancy rate.
YES: Choosing perennials
Planting perennials around your rental property is a great option. You are able to find many perennials that will survive hot summers and even drought. Also, having these resilient flowers bloom in the yard boosts the curb appeal and increases tenant satisfaction.
NO: Letting the lawn get overgrown
Do you have time for only one landscaping duty? Regularly mowing the lawn should be your top priority in this case. Compared to many other landscaping practices, mowing the lawn is much easier but offers significant returns. Unkempt lawns decrease perceived property value and damage aesthetic beauty.
YES: Regular weeding
Weeding is a tedious task. But it’s necessary because, without proper weeding, the unwelcome grasses quickly take over the yard. Weeds are not only unsightly. These growths could take away the nutrients that your real plants need while damaging the mortar in brickwork as well.
NO: Disregarding spacing needs
Allow plenty of space between the trees and your rental property’s foundation. As the trees grow, the roots could put the foundation’s integrity into jeopardy. Plant large trees at least 30 feet away from the house. The safe distance for smaller trees is a minimum of 10 feet.
YES: Utilizing balance and proportion
Spread flowers, shrubs, and trees in different sizes evenly across your yard. A noticeable height variety can create an interesting and stimulating landscape. Similarly, you can have plants of various colors that balance and offset each other’s shades.
NO: Wasting water
Install a smart sprinkler system to curb the wasting of water resources in your rental property. You can set the appropriate watering times together with a conservative limit on the water output.
YES: Securing proper drainage
Poor landscaping practices contribute to drainage issues. Don’t add too many retaining walls, big stones, and landscaping timbers. All of these landscaping items can block drainage. Also, conduct regular landscaping maintenance to resolve drainage issues before they have serious consequences.
NO: Forgetting the hardscape
Hardscape elements belong to every successful landscaping project. You can add plenty of color and texture to the yard by using hardscape design solutions. But keep in mind that each element needs to be there for a reason. Random allocation of hardscape items will look substandard and decrease the rental property’s value.
In a nutshell: Rental Property Landscaping Dos and Don’ts
Landscaping is a crucial part of keeping your rental property competitive. As a landlord, you have a lot of daily demands. Landscaping may not be your top priority but try to still find some time every month to maintain the yard.
Here are the top dos and don’ts of rental property landscaping:
- Install a smart sprinkler system to stop water wastage.
- Don’t use niche landscaping design that has limited appeal.
- Have local plant varieties in the yard for sustainable landscaping.
- Don’t let the lawn get overgrown and turn unattractive.
- Make sure to have plenty of space between your trees and buildings.
- Don’t neglect your hardscape.
- Use the principles of balance and proportion to create a captivating design.