Our tenants in our new IP (settled Jan this year) have requested that we prune the trees in the driveway and backyard. Do you guys (and how often) pay for someone to come in and prune the trees on your IPs? Our PPOR and all other IPs are townhouses without any big trees in the yard so it's the first time we have come across this. Thanks in advance.
Depending on how long the tenants have resided at the property, as it is a tenants responsibility to maintain the lawns & garden (in QLD any way). As the property has only settled in Jan, as an owner I would consider pruning the first time.
Probably varies per state. Here tenant is responsible for weeding, mowing, basic maintenance but landlords responsible for pruning or anything specialised.
What is the reason why them want them pruned? Aesthetics or is it a potential hazard or causing a mess. The answer to the question would determine the action taken.
Thanks guys. I'll get the PM to check with the tenants if he has any safety concerns. If it's just aesthetics I'll put it off and reassess next year, everything still looked pretty good when we inspected a few months ago.
I think it really should be the owners responsibility, I have an issue with my neighbour at my PPOR, he's hedge trees are hanging 1meter over the fence line, he used to prune them, but has stopped as they have gotten out of control, they drop so much leaf litter on our side, all over my car and the driveway. This week they are dropping these annoying berry things. We need to ask him to trim them but its so awkward! We get along with them so I feel bad asking, but its going to cost me time and money to trim it so I refuse to. I would hate to be in this situation as a tenant as if I want to get rid of them just to be done with it, it would cost a bit as you would need a large ladder, equipment and a trailer full of waste to dispose of. I think its unfair that some states expect the tenants to fork out for that.
Are you sure that's the position in QLD? I think its pretty much the same everywhere - owner responsible for garden maintenance.
We include as part of our special terms- "It is the tenants responsibility to maintain all garden areas including watering trees/plants, mow lawn and remove garden rubbish/ pet waste". However, in saying that the tenant is required at the end of tenancy to leave the premises in the same condition as at the start of tenancy (less any wear & tear)
WA has something similar as a 'standard' additional term in the commonly used REIWA standard lease. Unfortunately, they are void to the extent that they contradict the standard terms in legislation. Basically, owner responsible for maintenance, and tenant only for cleanliness. Off the top of my head, I think QLD had a similar legislation scheme with a standard legislated lease and no 'contracting out' of it.
Confused with that? If a house, unless included in agreement, isn't the tenant responsible for lawns (including retic if they break it), weeds, trimming back branches on "small" shrubs/trees?
Eh, not as much as people generally think. There's some argument to say that lawns and maybe weeding is a 'cleanliness' issue, or at least outside of 'maintenance' as per residential tenancy legislation. But once we get into trimming back branches, bushes and trees - almost certainly maintenance. Retic damage would be treated like any other damage to the property - tenant has to be deliberate or negligent in causing the damage, or otherwise its an owner problem.
Since my landlord has refused to cover cost of branch removal, I'll be presenting the invoice on my departure. Branches growing onto carport roof and at head height have had to be removed and I only moved in 3 months ago. Will be happy to take it as far as it needs to go.
What sort of trees ? Where are they ? Basically, if there is dead wood that could come down, you can remove it, most councils do not like people just chopping into trees.
These trees on the right of the fence. There are a few other taller trees at the back but we are just talking about these ones at the moment.
They look like they could be lily pillys. They don't look very big - just large shrubs really. Easy to trim with normal garden equipment. Of course, tenants might not have that equipment. I wouldn't expect a tenant to get up on a ladder or need to use large secateurs or a hedge trimmer. I don't think you need anyone expensive - a general gardener rather than an arbourist.
Thanks, that photo is a bit old though. I'll get the PM to get some up to date photos and send it to their gardener for quotes just for these ones. Tenant (who is actually the vendor that sold the property to me but stayed on as tenant) said they usually cost him $700-$1000 to prune the trees but that would be including the big trees at the back.
