Neighbourhood Watch: Tenants must have idea of landscaping costs

Landscaping is one of the many variable and unpredictable costs associated with villa rental and can involve anything from simple grassing to the full furnishing of the garden.

In many cases the garden area, especially in compounds, is small and takes minimal effort to make it feel more like home, while others with larger areas can require a more substantial investment.

There are also the associated water costs requiring consideration. Digging a well is a cost saving measure when it comes to watering the garden, however it is important to note that there is no guarantee the water will have the required Ph as required by plants.

However, most of the time this water is fine for the grass where the watering expense is highest. Many years ago, water and electricity charges were not a consideration and a large garden area was always in great demand.

This no longer applies and people are willing to settle for smaller spaces as long as they are green.

In some situations there is an option to purchase the existing garden from the outgoing tenant and the cost would generally be lower than starting from scratch. When a tenant leaves the property, in most cases the water is disconnected, the garden dies and the new tenant must begin once again to establish a green area.

In some situations, the landlord maintains the garden until a new tenant is found, however this is usually a bonus. Therefore if there is an established garden for sale, it is helpful to have an idea of landscaping costs in order to make a decision.

Your real estate agent may be able to give you an idea of what the basic landscaping costs will be, but the costs below may aid in providing more accurate and updated information. This information has been provided by professional landscaping companies and involves more than the simple planting of grass.

In general, some of the following items are fundamental to any 200 square metre garden, while others are extras that can be added later: Tenants must have idea of landscaping costs.