If you own a rental property, particularly if it's a multi-family property, then maintaining the grounds is likely your responsibility as the owner. Although it can be tempting to simply mow the grass and call it good, this can put you at risk of a safety-related issue. The following are three main areas where proper grounds maintenance from a place like Jim Rillo Landscaping can help you and your tenants avoid injury when it comes to maintaining the landscaping.

Lawn safety

There is more to maintaining the grass areas of your property than simply mowing, watering, and fertilizing. Common causes of accidents on grassy areas include the following:

• Tripping hazards, such as from uneven lawn areas or roots.
• Insect bites from pest infestations.
• Toxin concerns from pesticides or fertilizers.

To mitigate these issues, time must be taken to fill in ruts and other uneven areas. Pests must be monitored for and treated if a problem arises, but steps must also be taken to notify the tenants when this is done to avoid contact with the toxins in the pesticides. The same must be done when fertilizing, particularly if the tenants have children or pets that play in the grassy areas.

Tree management

Trees make a property more welcoming, but they come with their own sets of hazards. Falling branches are a major concern, which is why regular health assessments and tree trimmings are a must. Even the fallen leaves in autumn can pose a major safety concern for your tenants. This is especially true when there is rain or snow since wet leaves can be very slick and lead to falls and injury. Finally, tree roots pose a tripping hazard if they push above the soil surface. You may need to have roots removed or the area immediately surrounding the tree re-landscaped to cover exposed roots.

Weather tasks

Maintaining the grounds isn't just a fair weather concern. With winter comes the need to assess snow and ice hazards. In some cases, snow removal and ice melting can be a daily task that must be attended to in order to ensure no one slips and becomes injured. Even heavy rainfall may require some safety management, particularly if there are areas that become slick when wet or if standing water collects due to blocked drainage systems.

All of these issues are part of the daily task list for a quality grounds maintenance service. When looking for a firm to handle your property's landscaping and maintenance needs, make sure you choose one that has experience in covering safety concerns as well as caring for the landscape plants. This ensures the best experience for both you and your tenants.