Dead shrub in front yard - whose responsibility?

Dead shrub in front yard - whose responsibility? by John B. (Virginia) on April 20, 2017 @12:31

I am currently renting a house with several trees/shrubs/flowers on the property. In my lease it says that I am "responsible for lawn maintenance". Because of this I make sure to regularly mow the lawn, manage weeds, rake, trim small/dead branches, lightly trim hedges, etc. In the front yard there is a dwarf conifer (about 3 1/2 feet in diameter and 4 feet tall) that is pretty far gone, and most likely dead and not coming back. Every needle is brown and dry and the entire plant is pale in color and dry. I have tried very hard to keep the plant going but it has never taken a turn for the better. Upon moving in I noticed that the plant was knocked over from what looked to be a car running into it or something like that (the mailbox near the tree was also leaning in the same direction as if it were hit at the same time). I propped the tree and mailbox back up and hoped for the best. The tree is almost certainly in need of being removed.

My question is: is it my responsibility for removing the tree?

The landlord has been over several times over the course of the last 7 months since I've moved in and never mentioned anything about the tree (which stands alone in the front yard next to the entry of the driveway). It is an eye sore and it needs to be managed. I have it in me to remove it myself but I am not sure if this in breach of the contract either.

Thank you for the comments.

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Re: Dead shrub in front yard - whose responsibility? by Nicole (PA) on April 20, 2017 @17:34	[ Reply ]

rather than ask strangers, why not talk to the property owner? this should be a total nonconfrontational nonissue on both sides...

Re: Dead shrub in front yard - whose responsibility? by Anonymous on April 20, 2017 @20:31	[ Reply ]

What you have is a landlord who does not care about the property or is just blind to obvious pre existing damage till it comes to your security deposit. Take pictures and send a written notice to the landlord requesting the dead plant be removed and replaced. You did rent the property because the landscaping was important in your decision to rent. It could be said the landlords failure to maintain the property is a reduction in service. The mailbox and plant should have been taken care of before you saw the property. Could be an indication of other none deferred repairs you may be unaware of?

Re: Dead shrub in front yard - whose responsibility? by AnonymousFL on April 21, 2017 @18:55	[ Reply ]

Your best bet is to talk to your landlord. If he is reasonable and was aware that the tree was not in good shape, then he will likely remove the treet or remove/replace the tree. Otherwise, when you moved in, did you complete a check-in list that detailed all fo the things on the property that could be considered pre-existing damage or problems? The mailbox and tree would certainly have qualified for that list. If he is a stickler or just cannot remember, then you can refer back to that list and be comfortable that you won't be responsible. As Anonymous commented above, pictures would be better. Do not remove the tree before you talk to the landlord. Remember that you are resp[onsible for the care of the grounds, but they are still your landlord's property. Never change anything without permission.

Re: Dead shrub in front yard - whose responsibility? by Joel on April 24, 2017 @07:26	[ Reply ]

What does your lease say about grounds care? A good lease rental agreement will cover who is responsible for those things. Take a look at your lease. If it is the owners responsibility to maintain the grounds, then take the issue up with her or him.

Re: Dead shrub in front yard - whose responsibility? by Annie Ferebee on August 18, 2017 @02:01	[ Reply ]

Hello there! I think it is better to talk with your property owner first. Do not remove the tree without your landlord's permission. If it is owners responsibility, then he will take care about the problem or if you are responsible for the care of the grounds then taking your landlord's permission for removing the tree is important. My sister who lives in Australia also faced the similar situation. She then took the landlord's permission for removing the tree by hiring Gardening NorthSide ( http://www.gardeningnorthside.com.au/tree-removal-north-shore/ ) for removing tree.

Dead shrub in front yard - whose responsibility? - Landlord Forum thread 351744