Pub. 3 2018 Issue 4

21 ISSUE 4 2018 Wolff, president of LeasingDesk Insurance, a renter’s insurance provider. “Unless the damage is caused intentionally, you should be covered.” Renter’s insurance also covers personal items like furniture, grills and bird feeders left out- doors that could be damaged by weather or theft. Size and access matters for maintenance Maintaining backyards typically is left up to a landscape provider but in some cases may fall on the resident. Either way, size, access and a consistent look through- out the property matters. “Most everybody wants the mainte- nance done by the maintenance provider rather than the resident for consistency sake,” Lee said. “With all the backyards being open they need the consistency of everything being taken care of at the same time.” Marques said the dimension can dictate whether the resident or a landscape crew takes care of the space. Also, having a way to get into the area to maintain it is something to consider. “We haven’t done it on all yards, but a gate is preferable so that either the landscaper or individ- ual, depending on the size of the yard, can perform maintenance.” Lee said all of the backyards Earthworks maintains have gates. A string of eight yards at one property even is connected by gates from one unit to the next. Maintenance isn’t difficult as long as residents don’t clutter them with furniture and yard décor. “People look at it as their yard and set out patio furniture,