We have a tenant that hasn't mowed the yard. I was getting ready to send them a letter. Here is what I have. Please let me know if this is ok or any suggestions that you have.. In some ways I feel this is too firm.. but they are become PITA.. It seems like we are over

Thanks

Dear XXXX

Per my phone conversation with XXXXX on 5/30/12, you are currently violating our rental agreement and your legal responsibilities as a tenant at 0000 SW XXXX, XXXXX, KS by having the grass taller than 12 inches.

Per your rental agreement you have 72 hours to mow the yard after receiving notice (phone conversation with Lorena on 5/30/12). Since the grass has gotten so tall please bag or rake the clippings. If you don’t or don’t want to mow it we will hire someone to mow the grass and charge the cost to you (approximatley $50-75) due payable with July’s rent. You have unill June 3, 2012 to remeidy this situation. Thank you for correcting this.

I'd be less threatening maybe?

Dear X,

As a follow-up to our phone conversation of 5/30/12, please note: it's time to mow the grass. This duty is part of your lease.

If the lawn is not mowed (and properly bagged and/or raked) by X date, we must send someone to do it, and the cost to you will be $X and that amount will be due & payable with July's rent.

Regards,

LL

Too antagonistic.

Dear Joe and Sue,

Time does get away from us but it is now definitely mowing season and the grass needs to be cut weekly.

Please be advised that the Lease provisions require the grass to be kept mowed to a height not exceeding 4 inches. Please attend to this matter immediately, and make sure the clippings are bagged due to the increased height. If this is not accomplished before X (date)and is not done weekly, as required, a lawn service will be hired and you will be billed, pursuant to the terms of the Lease.

My lease allows me to NOTIFY and then CORRECT at THEIR EXPENSE.

Why send a letter? You've talked to them. If it isn't done by the 3rd, send over your mower and bill them.

Words are a waste of time. Money talks...B.S. walks, as the old saying goes. They'll claim they never got your letter. Get it done and send the bill. THAT should get their attention. Your mower's invoice should include a statement of the condition of the lawn at the time it was mowed. There's your proof for the judge. A picture with a time stamp on it would also be good.

My lease allows me to merely do it and not even notify them, but I give everyone a courtesy letter on it the first time. Sometimes people really do forget. After that, they are not only on notice by the Lease but also by letter.

Yes, you can go all out the first time, but I let them know first, as a courtesy. If I had dozens of properties, maybe I wouldn't.

Dear T,

We have observed the lawn height at your home at 123 Main Street exceeds X inches. We understand you are busy and it is not always convenient to do the required yard work so we are happy to enroll you in our hassle-free no maintenance lawn care program.

Enrolling is easy and requires no further effort by you. If the lawn has not been mowed by June 2, 2012 we will begin mowing it for you on an ongoing basis. All you have to do is include an additional $XX with your normal rent payment each month.

If at any time in the future you wish to withdraw from the hassle-free no maintenance lawn care program, just contact us and resume caring for the lawn.

Thank you,

LL

You're not going to be able to 'mow' grass that's over a foot high...get a farmer in there and bale it.

Many towns would have sent you a demand notice several weeks ago and then gone in there and done it with public equipment and workers and billed you 2 or 3 hundred.

If it is 12 or taller, a regular mower will not cut it. At this point hire a professional immediately to cut and remove the cut grass and bill the tenant. I highly doubt the tenant will ever cut it in the future and if they do, it will be the worst job possible. Hire it out and bill the tenant.

John

If it is 12 or taller, a regular mower will not cut it. At this point hire a professional immediately to cut and remove the cut grass and bill the tenant. I highly doubt the tenant will ever cut it in the future and if they do, it will be the worst job possible. Hire it out and bill the tenant.

John

I like Kyle's letter!

Thanks for everybody's input. I really appreciate it.

Write this into your lease

"If grass is higher than 12" management will mow and charge the resident approx $200 for an average size lawn."

Our city would have already sent a letter and mowed for $225.