State Specific Question About: ARIZONA (AZ)

Tickets are issued by the City of Phoenix if weeds are 6 inches or more.

I thought this tenant was so good as he wanted everything PERFECT inside the house. I replaced everything inside.

When I drove by and saw the outside it was horrible with weeds. I have a spray company for weeds that he paid half for. I asked him 2 cut down the weeds so the spray would work and he said he doesn't have time.

Rent is always on time.

I told him I would raise the rent and hire someone to do it.

Send him official notice in writing, posted on the door on brightly colored paper, that lawn care must be maintained in order to comply with city ordinance. I only give 48 hours to comply before I send over someone to mow. My city gives 5 days. So, I give the 2 days, then I have 3 to get it mowed before the city does it at a much higher expense.

I actually have a clause in my lease that states this - that if I see the lawn it too tall, I will provide 48 hours notice to cure, otherwise I will have it cut and the cost will be added to the monthly rent due as added rent. My in-lease amount is about twice what I would expect to pay a lawn guy for a normal lawn, so it is about 25% more than I pay if I need an emergency cut of an overgrown lawn.

I also state that if lawn warning is given twice in a 12 month period, that lawn care will be absorbed as part of the lease by the management, and the new rent amount will be $___________. They initial that part. I go on the assumption that grass needs to be cut every 10 days, so 3 times a month, and I add that amount to the stated rent plus a service fee for me writing the check.

I'd just give him notice that you are hiring a mowing company at his expense. Or if you're month to month, I'd raise rent to cover. Remember if charging him every month, to charge slightly less than mowing costs. In winter they don't come and mow so 2-3 months are $0 depending on your winter duration.

Let's try being nice first. "Dear Tenant, The city is going to cite me/us if the weeds continue. The lease says you are responsible. If you are too busy, let's hire a monthly service to spray and pull any left overs. This will cost $$ and we can adjust the rent to cover the cost."

If that doesn't work, then follow advice above as needed to solve problem, up to eviction.

I am in No AZ, we use Ortho ground clear concentrate mixed double strength. We spray 2-3 times a year for general control, and spot spray as needed.

We spray all weeds to kill roots, then they just dry up and blow away. After about a year it takes minimal work.

Thank u all 4 your input.

The good news is the yard was done - maybe professionally, it looked great.

I also hired the weed spray company to spray it next week so I don't have to go through this again. He had paid half for it and I paid the other half when he moved in.

His girlfriend caused the trouble when she moved in 2 months later and said she didn't want chemicals on the lawn. She is not on the month-2-month agreement.