Those of you that rent/have rented

[SAMI]

Of those that rent/rented, how many were given a break on the rent for doing yard work/small maintenance?

I'm going to bring up to my landlord that I'll do leaves and shovel snow once it falls... But I'm curious on what that compensation is worth.. I'm thinking atleast $100 since shoveling snow pretty much blows.

What have you guys experienced for your compensation?

-Jason

 

[richpblaze]

That type of work

is Your responsibilty. I would not compensate you for it.

 

[TJDukit]

is Your responsibilty. I would not compensate you for it.

I would have to totally agree. In no way is the landlord responsible to clear the leaves or shovel the snow for you. Maybe if you were making improvements on the house but I wouldn't do that with out a written agreement with your landlord.

 

[Caleb]

is Your responsibilty. I would not compensate you for it.

That depends on the rental contract. I've never rented but I know many contracts include snow removal and yard maintenance.

 

[Chevycrew]

Same with my house, lawn care and snow removal is the tenants responsibility unless arrangements were made in the rental agreement.

 

[Rot Box]

The landlord took care of the lawn at every place I have ever rented but I know that some will take money (not much) off rent if you do it. In most cities you are responsible for clearing sidewalks of snow or you become liable if someone slips and falls If your driveway crosses a sidewalk or is in front of a mailbox you have to clear that section as well.

 

[I Lean]

When I rented, I had to take care of the mowing/shoveling. If I did something more "lasting" then I'd get a break on the rent. (example, I fixed the furnace when it quit working, and deducted the money I spent off the rent) Normal upkeep was my responsibility, non-standard repairs or upgrades were his.

 

[SAMI]

Interesting. I'll have to re-read my lease, but when we singed on our landlord made the comment that the guy upstairs from us was doing all the yard work type stuff, and that he was being compensated. He's now moved, called to the Middle East last minute.

 

[SAMI]

Shoulda read my lease before posting

Looking at my lease agreement, it clearly states that, "..summer and fall lawn care also be taken care of by landlord. Snow removal the responsibility of the tenant."

So, that answers that.. I'll see if I can work something out with her for cleaning up the leaves I suppose..

I hate shoveling.. growing up at a corner house with two driveways sucked for shoveling..

-Jason

 

[Cody]

I'm in the process of renting my home, and general yard care and snow removal will be their responsibility, but I'll take care of the sprinkler system and continue to upgrade the landscaping.

 

[waynehartwig]

I was goign to comment, but there you go, you already read the lease and got your answer.

All I was going to say was what others said, yard care is the tenants responsibilty and goes along with keeping the inside of the house clean. I don't think I've ever rented a house, I know a couple of apartments, but I used to have 2 rental homes and I would have not taken off the rent for something like this. However, if you didn't do it, I would have kept portion/all of your deposit to clean it up, too.

 

[Stephen]

At my place the land lady takes care of all the lawn care, but I have to shovel. We worked it out with her for us to take care of the back yard (which now looks a million times better!), but we didn't get anything off the rent for that. I'm currently working out with her taking over all the lawn care for next year.
What we did work out was taking care of all the maintenance. I take care of the AC and furnaces, any leaks, pulled out a tree and a bunch of ivy, trimming bushes, painting ect. That was worth $100/month to her. If I take over the lawn care for next year, I'm hoping for an additional $50/month. Her lawn care people SUCK and she pays way more than that.

 

[waynehartwig]

Most of the time if there is a deal in the lease where the landlord covers yard care, it's because they want to know it's being maintained without actually doing it themselves. So don't feel slighted if she says 'no'. It's nothing personal and all business. But showing her you can do a better job than the yard service on the back yard, will certainly help your chances!