If you have a green thumb, being a renter can feel like a drag. After all, with so many legal restrictions your landlord can impose, finding a suitable place for your plants can feel like an impossible task. However, with the right plants and tactics to get the property owner onboard, you can brighten up your rental with the beautiful flowers and homegrown vegetables you want. Read below as we’ve put together this article to help you start a self-sufficient garden.
Common Restrictions of Gardening
Altering the Landscape
For starters, we have to examine the most common restrictions landlords put up against gardening. Changing the landscape can negatively impact a property’s value, which is why many property owners aren’t keen on allowing it. Take note that unauthorized alterations such as landscaping may result in a deduction to your security deposit. For instance, if a landlord grants their tenant permission to plant new flowers in the yard, but the renter starts to ignore them after a couple of months, it’ll become an eyesore.
Aside from diminishing the property’s curb appeal, and potentially riling up the community’s HOA, maintenance of the plants would add another expense to the landlord’s plate. With that in mind, you can propose setting up a container garden or using vertical planters. Since these options don’t disturb the soil, and you can easily remove them from sight, your landlord might be more amenable to these solutions.
Adding Structure
Another restriction landlords often place is adding structure. In other words, they prohibit tenants from building things like trellises or pergolas on the property. Such installations may require digging which could damage underground utilities. They also impact the property’s overall aesthetic. After all, it’s hard to miss a shaded walkway right in the middle of your yard. This prohibition is especially common for tenants that live in apartment buildings because erecting the structures would often involve knocking into shared walls. In such a situation, it would be best to opt for lightweight and portable structures you can easily assemble or take apart.
Choosing the Right Plants
• Consider Your Space and Light
Assess your available space and light before making a decision. Instead of opting for a plant and then trying to figure out where to put it without breaking your lease, head to the flower shop with your requirements in mind. For example, you can only get away with a slightly-shaded indoor space, try going for a snake plant.
• Ask about Maintenance
Before choosing a plant, ask about how much maintenance is required and ensure it matches your schedule. For instance, if you’re quite busy and need something that can survive for several days without attention, the worst thing you can get are leafy greens like tomatoes or peppers. Instead, try low-maintenance like succulents or hardy herbs like thyme or mint.
Planning for Portability
Ensure your plants are always ready to go just like you. After all, the last thing you want is to leave your precious flowers or veggies behind when your current accommodation is no longer working. Thus, it’s essential to plan for portability. You can do that by choosing lightweight containers such as plastic, or resin pots that won’t break your back during a move. Also consider opting for compact plants that are less likely to balloon in size and become a hassle to move without sacrificing bits of it. If you’re opting for a garden with structure, modular beds and detachable trellises give you the ability to detach and reassemble your garden in a new location with ease.
Importance of Open Communication with Your Landlord
Crafting a Proposal
Outline your plan for a garden before approaching your landlord with a suggestion. You can keep it simple by simply listing out the type of plant you want, where you’ll plant it (container or raised bed), and most importantly how you plan to prevent property damage. Most landlords want their tenants to feel at home, but they won’t do so at the expense of their own pocket. If you give them a clear picture of how it’ll cost them nothing in the long-run, it’ll help your case.
Documenting Gardening Agreements
Reach out to a reputable San Antonio property management team if you need help on how to communicate effectively with your landlord. One of the first things they’ll advise you to do is document every gardening agreement with your property owner. After all, the last thing you want is to lose your security deposit for unauthorized changes after receiving a verbal yes. Adding an addendum signed by both parties outlining the modifications permitted, and the condition of the property before installation can save you a lot of trouble.
Address Potential Landlord Concerns
Put your landlord’s mind at ease by addressing any concerns they may have about the garden. It’s normal for property owners to be apprehensive about giving you permission to make changes to their rental, especially if it’s uncommon in your neighborhood. As a result, it would be best to reassure them about your plans to prevent damage and keep the area clean.
Conclusion
Even while renting, you can still use your green thumb and grow your garden. Don’t forget to review your lease and consider why your landlord may have reservations. For instance, altering the landscape or adding structures to the property can affect the property value. However, if you craft a proposal highlighting how you plan to prevent that while keeping your garden clean, they’ll be more amenable. It’ll make future moves significantly easier, while protecting your security deposit. For the latter, you can add extra assurance by addressing your landlord’s potential concerns and drafting a written agreement.
