As the autumn leaves begin to fall and summer flowers fade, it is important to clear them out of your rental property’s garden and yard before the warmer days leave and winter begins to arrive. While it may be tempting to leave the leaves on the ground, that really isn’t a good idea. So that the lawn and garden of your rental home stay healthy and also to encourage strong roots that will aid your plants in withstanding winter temperatures, your best bet is to remove old growth and fallen leaves each fall.
Clearing dead leaves, flowers, and old-growth from your Bothell rental property’s yard is not only done for the sake of appearances. Cleaning and maintaining a home’s exterior is for more than just its appearance. Some property owners are under the impression that since fallen leaves and old-growth are natural, that it’s okay to imitate nature and let them stay on lawns and in gardens to decompose over the winter. They would be mistaken. If they did that, then the layers of dead leaves and other debris would smother their lawns and other plants, preventing air, light, and essential nutrients from penetrating the ground below. Healthy landscape plants and grass rely on a healthy root system, which in turn relies on abundant access to water, air, and light.
While having healthy plants in your garden is already a very good reason to clear your rental property’s fallen leaves and dead garden plants, there are still additional reasons besides that. As a case in point, uncleared leaves and dead flowers can result in common plant diseases that can ruin an otherwise healthy yard. As the debris piles up, it reduces ventilation and effectively traps moisture underneath. This can result in damaging mold growths and other issues that will end up killing existing plants. By leaving uncleared dead leaves on your yard, you’re also putting it at risk for an increase in insects and other pests. Many kinds of roaches, spiders, and small mammals flourish in layers of rotting foliage. As the number of these pests explode outdoors, they would want to expand their area. Their growing infestation would slowly make it to the rental home and eventually reach inside it. There is so much to lose. This is the reason why you should not allow dead flowers, plants, and fallen leaves to remain on a rental home’s yard before winter arrives. They have to be removed.
There are property owners that rely on their tenants to do the autumn landscaping clean-up. They think that it’s a good idea because they aren’t fully aware of the inherent risks. Tenants may not think that removing dead leaves and flowers is as important as it is, or they may not know the proper way to do it. Tenants may be endangering themselves if they do that. If your property has tall trees that shed leaves onto the roof or other elevated surfaces, it would be a terrible idea to ask your tenant to get on a ladder to trim tree branches or clear the fallen leaves away.
You don’t have to pick up after every leaf that falls. That would be too much. But large leaf falls are another story. These must be addressed in a timely manner to prevent damage to your rental property’s landscaping, foundation, and even the roof and gutters. There are many ways to do this job efficiently. For example, some property owners rake fallen leaves onto the lawn and then use a mulching mower to shred them into fine particles, which will sift down into the soil and fertilize the grass. Others may ask a professional company to send an experienced team to do the annual clean-up for them. This decision may be the better choice— more efficient and cost-effective— especially if you pick the right company.
Whichever way you’d decide would be fine. Just remember that the priority when making that decision is caring for your rental property’s yard without putting your tenant at risk. If you’re not too busy and have the time, you can be the one to do the job. But the saying is true: Time is money. It’s true for just about anyone— including real estate investors. That is why Real Property Management Eclipse takes care of important seasonal maintenance tasks for active and engaged property owners like you. Our excellent property management services will give your Bothell rental property great care that would help get it ready for the harsh winter season and all that it may bring. Contact us online or call at 425-209-0252 to get started.
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