Everyone wants an attractive yard or outdoor space, even tenants. So if you own a property that you rent out, ensuring that your landscaping looks nice goes a long way towards increasing tenant satisfaction. But let’s be clear up front: the tips in this article aren’t just for landlords looking for landscaping ideas for their rental properties. They’re really for anyone looking for smart, lasting landscaping ideas that are also attractive and easy to maintain. This is a fine line to walk, but it can be done and we hope we can provide a few ideas to get you started. So, let’s dig in and look at some tips and tricks about landscaping for rental properties.
Perennials, Native Plants, and Sustainable Landscaping
Here at Gardzen, we always advocate for sustainable gardening and using native plants in garden spaces. However we find that sustainable approaches are especially helpful in rental properties, as they generally require less care and upkeep than non-native plants or annuals. Perennials in general and native perennials in particular are great friends for landlords and owners of rental properties. They are beautiful, can be quite long-lasting, and are easy to maintain and sustain year after year. So whether you’re landscaping your rental property from scratch or refreshing an established space, please consider giving priority to perennials, natives, and other sustainable landscaping plants.
Plan Your Landscaping Project Carefully
Regardless of the plants you choose for your rental property’s landscaping, we strongly advise planning the project carefully before you start digging and planting. Your home’s landscape can be a hobby, constantly in process and never really complete. For a rental property however you’re probably better off getting the job done right the first time, and that means planning your landscaping efforts. There’s some wonderful landscaping software available, including some free online tools. We find that some graph paper, a pencil, and a little time and thought go a long way towards making the process simple and easy, however. Use the approach that works best for you and find the tools that help you make planning easy and effective.
Consider Your Tenants
It’s easy to overlook, but definitely give your tenants some consideration when planning your landscaping. They’ll be the ones living with it and in part maintaining it, so their needs and preferences matter a great deal. If you have established tenants in place, talk to them about what would work best and incorporate those ideas into your plan. If your property is vacant, consider who might want to move in. A single family home may attract a family with small children, which means plenty of lawn space and durable landscaping choices may be in order. A townhouse or smaller property may attract younger people or younger couples, who may have a different set of preferences and be more open to decorative landscaping choices. In other words, know your audience and take them into account when planning your landscaping project for a rental property.
Consider Hardscaping and Xeriscaping
We find these two approaches to landscaping are often mentioned together, so we’ll discuss them together here. Hardscaping means installing a solid material like brick, masonry, gravel, or concrete instead of grass or turf. Xeriscaping incorporates some of that, but at its heart xeriscaping is about landscaping for hot and dry climates where water is precious and rain may be scarce. E'er not suggesting that either of these approaches is better than a lawn or landscaped bed, but they are options you have that may simplify lawn care or increase your tenant’s use of outdoor space so don’t forget about them when considering your landscape plans.
Consider Water and Irrigation
All plants need water, but how much and how often can be a very big question indeed. When planning landscaping for a rental, we suspect it might be easiest and best to install plants the don’t require much human-assisted watering or irrigation. This reduces costs, makes care much easier, and helps ensure that you won’t lose plants if you or your tenants forget to water occasionally. Native plants are often good choices for this role, but you can always talk to your local nursery or garden club for suitable suggestions for your region and climate.
Finally . . . Consider the HOA
We know, we know. The dread Home Owner’s Association. They often have obtuse regulations about practically everything, including landscaping. Whether you love or hate your HOA, your rental property may be subject to its rules and those rules should be taken into account before you start your project. It’s best to just ask first—show them your gardening plan, explain what you’d like to do with your landscaping, and get approval before work begins. This may save a lot fo time and money and hassle for both you and your tenants.
This is only a partial list, as always, but we hope it’s enough to get you started. Landscaping for rental properties brings a different set of considerations and opportunities than landscaping at home. But with a little forethought and planning, you can create a beautiful, sustainable landscaped space in your rental property that will delight both your tenants and the whole neighborhood for years to come.
Leave a comment