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Does a Landlord Have to Water the Garden of a Rental Home

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  • 06-06-2016, 02:03 PM
    turantual
    Does a Landlord Have to Water the Garden of a Rental Home
    My question involves landlord-tenant law in the State of: Oregon

    We are renting a single family home with a very large and beautifully landscaped yard. Our lease states that the Landlord is responsible for Gardening. However, "gardening" is not specifically defined in the lease. Prior to signing the lease, the Property Manager told us the property had a sprinkler system. After signing the lease, moving in and discovering there was indeed no sprinkler system, the Property Manager simply told us he was mistaken. So, we asked if the gardener would then do the watering? The Property Manager told us no, if we wanted to keep the landscaping green, we would need to water it ourselves. Of course, a big reason why we chose this house and why we pay a very sizable rent is because of the landscaping and our enjoyment of the outside areas. Last summer was unusually hot and dry. So, we took it upon ourselves to buy portable sprinklers and water the lawn, flowers and shrubbery almost every day for 4 months. It was very time consuming. Summer is here again, and because of another issue we're having with the landlord, we're not feeling quite so generous this year.

    So, should the Landlord's responsibility for "Gardening" include watering and maintaining the aesthetics of the landscaping throughout the summer? If the answer is yes, what recourse do we have if he refuses to do so?
  • 06-06-2016, 02:51 PM
    llworking
    Re: Landlord Responsible for Gardening - Does He Have to Water
    Quote:

    Quoting turantual
    View Post
    My question involves landlord-tenant law in the State of: Oregon

    We are renting a single family home with a very large and beautifully landscaped yard. Our lease states that the Landlord is responsible for Gardening. However, "gardening" is not specifically defined in the lease. Prior to signing the lease, the Property Manager told us the property had a sprinkler system. After signing the lease, moving in and discovering there was indeed no sprinkler system, the Property Manager simply told us he was mistaken. So, we asked if the gardener would then do the watering? The Property Manager told us no, if we wanted to keep the landscaping green, we would need to water it ourselves. Of course, a big reason why we chose this house and why we pay a very sizable rent is because of the landscaping and our enjoyment of the outside areas. Last summer was unusually hot and dry. So, we took it upon ourselves to buy portable sprinklers and water the lawn, flowers and shrubbery almost every day for 4 months. It was very time consuming. Summer is here again, and because of another issue we're having with the landlord, we're not feeling quite so generous this year.

    So, should the Landlord's responsibility for "Gardening" include watering and maintaining the aesthetics of the landscaping throughout the summer? If the answer is yes, what recourse do we have if he refuses to do so?

    What are the odds that you would actually need to do that kind of watering in Oregon two years in a row?
  • 06-06-2016, 03:06 PM
    Mr. Knowitall
    Re: Does a Landlord Have to Water the Garden of a Rental Home
    You were told that "gardening" does not include watering. Your past practice is to treat "gardening" as not including watering. You appear to have renewed your lease at least once without questioning that understanding. So as it stands, based upon what you've told us so far, you remain responsible for watering the garden.
  • 06-06-2016, 03:11 PM
    adjusterjack
    Re: Does a Landlord Have to Water the Garden of a Rental Home
    Quote:

    Prior to signing the lease, the Property Manager told us the property had a sprinkler system. After signing the lease, moving in and discovering there was indeed no sprinkler system
    And you didn't verify the existence of a sprinkler system when you inspected the property before signing the lease?

    Oh, well.

    You're stuck now.

    Perhaps you should think about moving when the lease runs out.

    You'll know better at your next place.
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