Renting can leave you feeling like you’re in the middle. Every tenant has thought it… it’s not your property but you still want to make it feel like home. In fact, to you, it is home – even if you’re name isn’t on the deed, there is still a pride of ownership that every hard-working renter wants to feel at the end of the day. But with rules and restrictions placed on what is allowed on a rental property, this can be difficult.
Some landlords can be more forgiving than others, but one thing is universally true about all of them: They want their property to be left looking great. One way this can be done without permanently changing the structure or layout of the house is with landscaping work. It’s changeable and also a great way to add your own personality to the property. At any point, the lawn, shrubs and exterior decor can be altered – and you can do the altering.
Rental Nation
With more than 35 percent of America renting, there is a large population that is looking to make a property they don’t own unique to themselves. It’s been more than 50 years since the rental rate was at a similar level, and there is no sign of it slowing down. And with rent now taking up a higher percentage of a tenant’s budget than ever before, there’s little left over to craft a style around personal interests. The ideal situation is to be able to find cheap rentals or to adapt a property within the guidelines of a landlord’s policy while not spending through the nose to do it. Luckily, there is a solution.
Yard time
There’s a great space at your fingertips that you’re able to make your own and it doesn’t take a lot of money or time. Too good to be true? Nope. It’s your yard. It’s great for entertaining and it offers enough variety to allow you to dress it up as your own. With more than $75 billion in annual revenues reported last year, you won’t be the only one concentrating on making your lawn look great. That’s good news, as there’s plenty of equipment and resources available to help you get started. So how exactly do you get going? Well, that’s easy. Right here:
In the weeds
First things first: When it comes to having a great outdoor space, you need a great lawn. That’s where weed control comes in. Clover, crabgrass and thatch can all be killers for your property. The good news is that they’re all treatable with a few simple fertilizers. Whether you want to take the easy route and contact the professionals or opt for selecting the correct spreads on your own, ensuring your grass is weed-free should be priority number one. It will take at least three treatments during the year, but all things considered, that’s not too bad for a great looking lawn the entire neighborhood is talking about.
Follow the Signs
Nothing says “your home” like decorations. Whether it’s wooden signs, colorful planters or lawn ornaments, you’re going to want to add some personality to the place. It’s easy to add some flavor to your unit’s look without being tacky. Picking out what embodies your personality is half the battle. If you don’t like to get carried away with color, mix in some varied textures, and the monotonous feel will slip away.
Time for a trim
Maintenance is key when making your outdoor space look great. That means trimming your shrubs, pulling the weeds and adding a nice edge to your landscaping. It sounds like a simple concept, but it can become an overwhelming load. It’s best to make a schedule. Pick a day for weed-pulling and select a Saturday each month to cut the hedges back a bit. When the grass starts to creep into the mulch, you know it’s time to take a shovel to the edge.
The same approach can be used for even more infrequent tasks. Whether it’s replacing dull mulch or updating the perennials by the mailbox, things tend to become easier if you have them penciled in your schedule book. These are all great ways to keep your rental looking like a well-maintained, appealing residential unit. Go ahead and give them a shot!
