Apartment Owner Quick Tip - Inspect the Trees - Source: AAOA

     When was the last time you had the trees around your rental property inspected?  Arborists generally recommend having a tree inspected every one (1) to three (3) years.  With extreme weather, it should be more often than that.  Conditions that would merit more frequent inspections include: major windstorms, drought, or floods.  After one of these of these events, be aware they may have cracked or broken some branches prematurely.

What to inspect?
     Do any of your trees have branches that sprout no leaves?  How about cracks and holes that lean to one side strangely?

     You may be spotting a sick tree, but it is not easy to do.  The tree may appear to be healthy but harbor unseen danger.  A large number of tree-related injuries result from dead or hanging branches that randomly fall.

     Special attention should be made to trees that have branches that overhang major pedestrian areas.  If there is an injury or damage, the law will most likely hold you accountable.  If you notice a tree that you find suspicious, evaluate it in light of the nearby tenant activity.  With that said, often the tree in question is worth keeping, but sometimes removal is a safer bet.

     The difference between a sick and healthy tree is the same as adding value to your rental or creating a hazard and a lawsuit.

     Therefore, you should invest in the expense of hiring an arborist to inspect all those cracks and dead limbs.  They are a good safeguard against tree disasters.  Doing your own tree work will likely increase your exposure in a legal battle.


Note: I am an not attorney, and this article is not meant to convey, infer, imply or otherwise transmit legal advice.

Source: http://www.american-apartment-owners-association.org/blog/2012/12/10/landlord-quick-tip-189/

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Tip #190: Branching Out

When was the last time you had the trees around your rental property inspected?

Do any of your trees have branches that sprout no leaves? Cracks and holes and lean to one side strangely?

It may not always be so easy to spot a sick tree. The tree may appear to be healthy but harbor an unseen danger. A large number of tree- related injuries are from dead or hanging branches that fall at random.

Be particularly careful with trees that have branches overhanging heavy pedestrian areas.  If there’s damage or an injury, the law will most likely hold you accountable. If you spot a tree you find suspect, have it evaluated in light of the tenant activity nearby.

Often the tree in question is worth keeping around, but sometimes removal is a safer bet.

Arborists generally recommend having a tree inspected every 1-3 years, but more often in times of extreme weather — like major windstorms, drought, or floods. Be aware that a big storm may have cracked or broken some branches prematurely.

The difference between a sick and healthy tree is the same as adding value to your rental or creating a hazard and a lawsuit.

Although expensive, hiring a qualified arborist to look for all those cracks and dead limbs is a good safeguard against tree disasters. Doing your own tree work, or claiming to be a tree expert will likely increase your exposure in a legal battle.

See last week’s Landlord Quick Tip.

American Apartment Owners Association offers discounts on products and services for landlords related to your rental housing investment, including rental forms, tenant debt collection, tenant background checks, insurance and financing. Find out more at www.joinaaoa.org.