A common issue in rentals is who is going to maintain the yard. Because maintaining the yard helps maintain the value of the property, it often makes financial sense to include some level of yard service in the lease. Landlords need to consider not only the appearance of the yard during the current tenant’s lease but also what the condition will be when the landlord is marketing for a new tenant. For large yards and those with a lot of money invested in the yard, it may be a good idea to include full yard service in the lease. For other properties, doing a spring and fall clean up may be sufficient.
We are here to help you and your clients with all aspects of the rental market. Please contact us for further assistance!
Nothing found herein should be construed as an attempt to offer or render a legal opinion or otherwise engage in the practice of law. You should not rely solely on this information. We encourage our clients to work with a lawyer experienced in commercial and/or residential real estate matters as they can be complicated and confusing.
A King County Superior Court judge overturned Seattle’s “First Come, First Served” Ordinance. The ordinance went into effect last year and required landlords to accept the first applicant who met screening criteria. The judge ruled that while the goal of the law, preventing discrimination, was laudable, that it was too far reaching and violated landlord’s property rights. She also found that the rules in the law regarding rental advertising violated property owner’s free speech rights. The city has not yet revealed whether they will appeal the decision.