I'm going to be leasing my home due to a relocation with my work, and am a bit sad to say that the tenants are not gardeners and do not want to take responsibility for almost 1000sq ft of garden space that my wife and I have cultivated.

What is the best way to put this garden space to rest without actually removing it to prevent unsightly weed growth and keep as low maintenance as possible?

I was thinking about covering all of the areas with black poly plastic sheeting.

Thought and suggestions are appreciated.

It's the only option I can think of that wouldn't require any upkeep on the part of the new renters.

Since plastic does not allow air and water through, it does have a deleterious effect on the soil community beneath. And during heavy rains water may run across the top of it, cause debris to accumulate in spots, again forming a substrate for weed growth.

You can avoid the issue of plastic being impermeable by using landscape fabric but the same problems with decomposition of mulch and debris accumulation will still occur. When you establish a cleared area without vegetation the nearby vegetation soon goes about trying to convert this clearing into a vegetated area. In rural areas, especially on wooded sites even asphalt roads soon become invaded if not driven over frequently and maintained with herbicide etc.

Whatever approach is taken some maintenance will have to occur. If there will already be more than a very small amount of mowing on the site it might be just as well to put the area to be converted into lawn also.