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We are renting property, on a 12 month contract. The Landlord is adamant that we use the sprinkler systems daily to water and keep the lawns green, bearing in mind our property has a huge front lawn area.
Furthermore the lawn is infested with crickets and ants, and as a result is not growing. (We have pointed this out to him, and he claims it's because we not watering enough)
He continously harrasses us in this reagard. Our budget does not allow for high water bills, as we have already bugeted on approx 400 rand per month. (The rent is already excessive)
My neighbour is intimidated and does as the landlord asks and faces a water bill of R 1000.00 per month.
Landlord is adamant that we use the sprinkler systems daily
to water and keep the lawns green...
This issue comes up a lot with the "accidental landlords" who are forced or just choose
to rent their homes for a few years hoping that the market or their circumstances will recover...
...who will expect that tenants will maintain the property (and cheerfully too!)
at the same level of persnicketyness that they used to revel in.
The problem is when they don't put any of that expectation in writing.
Heck, half the time they don't even mention the mowing.
So.. what does the lease say about lawn and yard work?
a lot will depend on the agreement you made with the owner and how your country enfoces these agreements.
A general rule is when confronted with a dissagreement over what is causing a bad issue is to get expert advice. You say its due to insect, they say it due to watering. Now its a question of who is right about the cause. The answer will probably come from a professional landscaper. Thats who you should get to come in and look at the grass and provide a written professional opinion.
I'm glad someone pointed out that the OP is not in the US. I came in ready to post a bunch of things that probably have no bearing in South Africa (like the fact that grass is healthier if watered longer times less often, but that might not be true there) Not knowing anything about international laws, and about local grass types and watering methods in that area, there aren't going to be too many people who can help you here.
I would say to see if you can get a consult with an attorney to ask the question of a local professional, but I don't even know if the local equivalent of attorneys do consults there.
This is not unusual, especially in warmer climates with above average water costs.
After a few bad experiences early on... I now use very specific language in my agreements if the tenant is responsible in any way for outside vegetation.
The problem I have run into is that just about everyone would prefer to live in a park like setting and many have no idea the effort and cost of maintaining same.
My standard advice is to carefully go over your agreement to ascertain precisely your obligations... if you have any doubt... I recommend seeking local legal advice to buttress your position.
If you and the owner are still at loggerheads... a letter from your attorney will either clear or escalate the situation.
Good Luck...
PS... Sometimes it is not as bad as it seems of the utility spike is seasonal as opposed to year round...
...a letter from your attorney will either clear or escalate the situation.
does this mean that the former option of initiating spontaneous combustion is no longer allowed?
or that it just doesn't work anymore?
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