Do Tenants Have to Mow the Lawn and Tend the Garden: When you move into a rental property in Brisbane, it also comes with a set of responsibilities. For many tenants, one of the big responsibilities of the great outdoors is what makes things a bit difficult. When you have already signed the lease and gotten the keys, you can’t just look at the backyard and wonder if that is your responsibility too?
To give you a short and straight answer: Usually yes, but details matter, and understanding what actually Queensland property managers expect from the tenants can save your routine inspections from turning into a stressful one.
The General Rule in Queensland
It is clearly mentioned by the Residential Tenancies Authority (RTA) that generally the tenant is the one who is responsible for routine yard work that includes mowing, edging, and weeding. To keep the property in the condition it was in when you first moved in, keeping aside fair wear and tear, is your part of your responsibility.
However, this doesn’t mean taking responsibility for every single plant and tree. The RTA differentiates between routine maintenance, which is your job, and major work of the owner. Tree lopping and pruning large shrubs that need ladders, or anything that falls under the responsibility of the owner.
To keep it simple and short, if it grows quickly and needs regular attention, it’s most likely on you, but if it requires a chainsaw or safety harness, it’s on the owner’s part.
What is Exactly Your Responsibility?
You most probably agreed to “maintain the lawns and garden having regard to their condition” at the commencement of the tenancy when you signed your tenancy agreement. This means that, generally speaking, your duties may consist of the following:
- Regular cutting of the grass, particularly in Brisbane’s hot summertime when grass grows very rapidly;
- Edging along the walkways, driveways, and garden beds;
- Weeding the garden beds, cracks between the pavers, and fences;
- Watering of the plants and lawn;
- Clearance of the small fallen tree branches;
- Maintaining the cleanliness of the outside areas, including removal of all kinds of rubbish.
What are you NOT responsible for:
- Tree lopping or major pruning of established trees
- Removing large branches that might require special equipment
- Hedging that needs specialized knowledge or high safety
- Major work on any landscaping
What Happens at a Routine Inspection?
Property managers in Queensland generally conduct routine inspections every four months. This is their opportunity to check how the tenant is taking care of the property, and if it is being looked after, the garden is absolutely part of that check.
During an inspection, this is what agents are looking for:
- Mowed lawns and trimmed edges—no overgrown grass
- Weeded garden beds—no weeds choking your plants or spilling into pathways
- Clear pathways and driveways—no debris or any overgrown edges that might block access
- Piles of garden trimmings—These should be disposed of and should not be just dumped in the corner
- No grass clippings dumped on garden beds—this is the common mistake that tenants make that agents notice
The main thing is that a well-maintained garden signals a well-maintained tenancy. It goes a long way to build trust with your property manager.
What If You Can’t Do It Yourself?
Not always does life go predictably. Maybe sometimes you might have long working hours, you’re travelling frequently, or you simply do not have the tools or physical capacity to keep the yard in top-notch condition; this is where professional service can be a lifesaver.
For tenants, using a lawn mowing and garden maintenance service will be an excellent idea. Firstly, it will guarantee a proper execution of the work, and secondly, it will show the property manager that you have been taking care of the property.
Prices for lawn mowing in Brisbane will start at $50 to $80 per session for smaller yards and go up to $70 to $110 for a medium-sized yard. Paying a small amount to have peace of mind is way less expensive than having disputes over the bond or failing to pass inspections.
Why Choose The Bond Cleaning Brisbane For Garden Maintenance?
The Bond Cleaning Brisbane knows that maintaining your property is not limited to caring about its interior. We provide complete lawn mowing and garden maintenance services for our tenants to secure their bond.
Here’s what sets us apart:
We are Brisbane locals who know the climate—we know how quickly buffalo and couch grass grow in the subtropical climate of Queensland, and therefore we time our services accordingly.
A full garden service—including lawn cutting, edge cutting, weeding, hedge cutting, green waste removal, and full yard clean-ups. We can cover all the things that your agent wants to see in a single go!
Flexible timing—weekly, biweekly, and one-time services are available. We will work around your schedule, not vice versa.
Peace of mind for bond back—our team is well aware of the kind of things that the property managers want to see in the inspections and exit reports. We will get your garden prepared for the inspection.
Fair pricing without any hidden charges—transparent pricing and no hidden costs.
If you are a tenant and want to take care of your responsibilities, or a property manager seeking garden services for your tenants, we can assist you.
Want to get rid of the worry of maintaining your garden? Contact us now and get a free quote.
Frequently Asked Questions Concerning Garden Maintenance in Brisbane for Renters
What if my garden was overgrown at the time of moving in?
If the garden was already overgrown prior to moving in, then you need to keep it in the same condition as before. According to RTA, the condition of lawns and gardens is to be noted on the entry and exit condition reports; this is the reason why the Entry Condition Report is important.
Am I supposed to cut the grass even if I am a unit or townhouse renter?
This all depends on the terms of your agreement. If your unit/townhouse has some common grounds, then common property maintenance becomes the owner’s task.
What should I do if my lawn perished because of a water restriction or drought?
Normally, you will not be held responsible for the perishing of the lawns or plants because of compliance with local water restrictions or droughts. However, it is still a good idea to inform your property manager about the situation.
Is the tenant required to remove fallen branches from the property?
The removal of small branches is normally done by the tenant, while the removal of large branches, which require special equipment, is
What about fruit trees?
The layout of the fruit trees should be included in your tenancy agreement’s special conditions; if they are not mentioned in the tenancy agreement, he may allow you the privilege of harvesting the fruits during the period of your occupancy. To be on the safe side, it will be wise to talk to your property manager.
Will there be a charge made against me regarding the state of the garden upon completion of my tenancy?
In case the garden is not in a similar state compared to when you occupied it (excluding fair wear and tear), the owner may make charges against your bond. It is important to keep the garden in good state throughout the tenancy because you will want it to be in good condition when you vacate the property. This way, your bond will be released easily.
What if I do not have a lawnmower?
This is not an obligation on the part of the landlord to furnish you with tools for gardening. You have to buy one or employ someone to do this work for you. Many tenants believe that it is cheaper to employ a service than to buy a machine and maintain it
