We live in a split house. When she moved in, we agreed that I would take care of the driveway in the Winter, and she would take care of the lawn in the Summer. Now, she is trying to back out of it, claiming to the landlord that she doesn't know how to handle a lawnmower (her boyfriend lives with her). I don't want to get too combative, because I don't want to live at war with her every day. I just want her to mow the lawn.
2006-06-29 01:11:54 · 29 answers · asked by Torero In Red 3 in Home & Garden ➔ Garden & Landscape
I wouldn't get the lawyers involved for the simple reason of cost effectiveness. If you settle without court you could be looking at $1,500, at least, and if it blows up and goes to court you could be looking at $5,000. (And that's if she decides not to respond by asking for you to pay for HER legal fees.) Do the math. It's cheaper to pay the kid down the street to both mow in the summer and shovel in the winter. I'm sure you have better things to do with your time and back and the kid down the street will appreciate the money.
2006-06-29 01:21:15 · answer #1 · answered by Oldlady 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋
She agreed to it; not knowing how to handle a lawnmower is no excuse. She should not have agreed to it if she couldn't uphold her end. She can hire someone if she is unwilling to do it herself. Teenagers go around with lawnmowers during the summer for a reasonable price. If you have already been taking care of the driveway, then she is on the hook. Maybe the landlord could step in and get her to pony up, but if it's not an issue to him he won't.
How big is the lawn? Is it a comparable chore to the driveway? I know our lawn is a nightmare compared to our driveway. We don't get snow very often, though, and never very deep, so it just depends on where you live. But perhaps she feels that the lawn is a much bigger chore, and that could be why she is dragging her heels.
2006-06-29 01:25:08 · answer #2 · answered by Jeannie 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
This is something that should have been under agreement in writing, or with the landlord. I would schedule a meeting with the landlord and the other tenant, to figure out what can be done about it.
Normally landlords should state who's responsible for what, or else the landlord is responsible for it. Sounds like you're split is upper & lower level, and I find it odd that you each don't have separate parts of the lawn. Check your lease/agreement papers - if there's nothing about who does what to the lawn in there, then the landlord is responsible for doing it. Otherwise, you should get a break in rent for charging them your duties of lawnwork.
I personally, would not mow the lawn. And seems like she's not a good person to trust. It's not being combative, it's standing up for yourself. If you let her walk all over you now...she'll continue to do it.
2006-06-29 01:19:56 · answer #3 · answered by ? 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
make an anonymous complaint to the town. The landlord will get a warning and then HE'LL deal with it - he should be anyway not you.
OR do what I do:
I'm in a three family house in a beautiful area. All maintenance is provided by the owner of the property - because it is THEIR responsibility. But they only do what's necessary. They mow and plow and occasionally trim hedges but that's it and frankly it's enough.
HOWEVER, I want the place where I live to look nice so I put in gardens. I trim the hedges when they need it. I shovel the walk if the plows are late. I live there. I don't want to walk in and out an have to wear blinders because it's unsightly! Don't get me wrong - I would really like it if the other occupants felt some sense of pride about their surroundings, I'd be much happier - but it's more relaxing for me to actually do the work then stress about it not being done properly.
2006-06-29 04:21:56 · answer #4 · answered by deidrec1962 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Try discussing this with your landlord. Get him to make an agreement in writing. Just how hard is it to mow a lawn? She can't handle a lawnmower? Ten-year-olds can handle lawnmowers. Always be nice to your neighbor. Talk to your landlord. Hope this helps.
2006-06-29 04:24:54 · answer #5 · answered by organic gardener 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You could fight and creat a bad relationship with a close neighbor, but this can never be a good thing. If you don't have an agreement in writing - Mow the Lawn, Make a New Agreement, and Learn from your experience.
2006-06-29 01:15:57 · answer #6 · answered by me 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If I were you I would just go ahead and mow your side of the lawn... I have lived that nightmare before( at war w/ neighbor) and trust me its NOT nice!!!
Just do your side and screw her..lol.. Then I would let the landlord know of the agreement you had... OR you can always show her dumb-*** how to work a lawn mower... :)
Good Luck~
2006-06-29 01:18:47 · answer #7 · answered by starz11978 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Switch with her then. You take care of the lawn in the summer and she takes care of the driveway during the winter.
Or, talk to your landlord and have him hire someone to do both for a little extra in both you and your neighbors monthly rent.
2006-06-29 01:15:42 · answer #8 · answered by Shep 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Is a split house like a duplex? Then tend to your own side. Cut your grass and shovel your side of the drive. You can still be friendly but I would never count on anyone to do my stuff. People will let you down as you have found out. Some people just don't know how to accept responsibility. Its a sad state I know.
2006-06-29 03:55:48 · answer #9 · answered by Mache 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Just hire a kid to mow the lawn. Be thankful that the two of you were not great friends before she moved in that way you can not be sad when you are no longer friends at all. Room mates and such things can be awful. Not everyone's mom taought them how to share. especially when it comes to responsibilities.
2006-06-29 01:19:00 · answer #10 · answered by charity2882 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋