Is it the landlord’s responsibility to maintain lawn care on his rental properties?
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Is it the landlord’s responsibility to maintain lawn care on his rental properties?
Asked on October 13, 2011 under Real Estate Law, Ohio
Answers:
SJZ, Member, New York Bar / FreeAdvice Contributing Attorney
Answered 12 years ago | Contributor
First, unless the tenant(s) either accepted responsibility for the lawn care (e.g. in a lease) or a tenant is renting an entire rental standalone or detached home (which would include the lawn, etc.), this would typically be the landlord's responsibility (though see below); on the other hand, it could become the tenant's responsibility by contract/lease, or because the tenant is renting the whole property and thus is as responsible for keeping up the lawn as he/she is for taking out the garbage or cleaning the bathroom and kitchen.
However, even if it were the landlord's responsibility, that responsibility is sharply limited--while the landlord has to make sure that the premises are "habitable" and fit to be rented, that doesn't necessarily mean a neatly manicured, well-cared for lawn. The landlord could get away with doing very little, at least so long as he/she does not violate any local ordinances regarding how property must be kept up, or does not create a nuisance for adjancent property.
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