The do’s and don’ts of landscaping for rental properties

Whilst the interiors need to tick all of the boxes in the sense that they need to be clean, tasteful and neutral, the state of the exterior of any rental accommodation will also have a subliminal impact on the way the property is viewed. In fact, the garden is often the dealbreaker for viewers who are torn between options! 

If you are a landlord in need of some useful tips on how to landscape a rental property, take a look at this list of the things you should and shouldn’t do when creating garden spaces for tenants. 

Do keep it simple and low maintenance

Not all tenants are looking for an award-winning garden that comes complete with perfectly arranged flower beds, hanging baskets and an array of unique reclaimed materials. They are more likely to be on the lookout for a place that’s going to be as little maintenance as possible to fit around their busy lifestyle. 

One of the most popular low-maintenance options is a rain garden, which is made up of shrubs and flowers that are formed on a natural slope to soak up rainwater and prevent flooding. This arrangement is a fantastic, easy to install alternative to larger natural turf lawns because tenants won’t have to worry about watering or mowing large expanses of grass in the summer months. 

To construct a rain garden, you’ll need suitable topsoil and water-soaking plants. 

Do allocate a section of the garden for pets

If you’re allowing tenants to have pets, it would be sensible to section off a part of the garden that animals can enjoy freely. Consider creating a fenced area or laying down paving slabs or gravel to save the grassy areas from urine, which can go on to cause wilting plants and bare patches in turf.

Don’t make it too personal

Although you may have personal preferences on how a garden should look, it would be best to steer clear of bright colour schemes and flamboyant plants, as they won’t be to everyone’s tastes. 

Keep the theme neutral, as your objective is to make the property appeal to as many people as possible. Some of the best neutral shades for plants are black, silver, green, white and brown; they’ll add a touch of sophistication to your design. 

Don’t overdo it with paving

While limiting grass and plants means less maintenance for the tenant, it doesn’t add much visual appeal to a property. Large areas of paving may also cause concern in areas with lack of drainage, as the run-off can lead to flooding. Tenants often like a small amount of greenery, especially if they have young children, so it would always be worth having a small patch of grass either at the front or rear of the property.