Honestly if you are that worried about it, then just cut it. It will give you piece of mind.
I don't think the banks should have to pay maintenance. We already had to "bail" them out financially. With each foreclosure they are losing money. If you think of the record number of foreclosures and then account for lawn care for each, we would probably have to "bail" them out again for them to afford it.
No one has the money right now. The homeowners can't afford to keep houses that aren't worth it & the banks can't really afford to put any money into them. It is just a sad time