As a new property owner of a multi-family housing complex, you likely have a lot on your plate. One thing you do want to make sure you attend to right away is your building's landscaping. A nicely landscaped complex looks more inviting to prospective tenants, especially if you hope to attract young professionals that are concerned about appearances. The following are a few landscaping tips to ensure your building always looks its best.
Tip #1: Set Aside a Pet Area
If you allow pets in your complex, then your tenants will need somewhere to walk their dog. If you don't provide an area, they may take their pups anywhere in the landscaping surrounding the complex. This can result in dead patches of grass, dog messes left behind, and destroyed flower beds. By setting aside an area as a small dog park, your tenants will be encouraged to keep their pets off the rest of the landscaping. Provide a low fence to section the space off from the rest of the landscaping. You may also want to include a waste bag dispenser and trash can to encourage your tenants to dispose of their pet waste.
Tip #2: Plan for No Bare Ground
Bare ground makes it harder to take care of the landscaping. If you have bare soil showing in flower beds or around shrubbery, weeds will move in and make the landscaping look bad. Covering bare soil with mulch, even if there isn't much else planted in the bed, gives the area a polished and inviting look. Further, it keeps down the weeds so that you won't be constantly at war with them. As a rule of thumb, lay down a two-inch or deeper layer to suppress weeds. This will also help keep moisture in the soil for your desired plants.
Tip #3: Invest in Turf Management Services
Turf management services are one step beyond regular landscaping services. A turf manager will develop an integrated care plan for your building's landscaping. This means they will handle mowing, watering, and fertilizing schedules while also troubleshooting and fixing problems before they occur. For example, if the grass is becoming worn in one area, a turf manager will develop a plan to either fill in the grass or to create a barrier to dissuade the unwanted traffic pattern. You won't have to lift a finger when it comes to landscaping, which can be a relief when you have a lot on your plate as a new property owner.
Share