Renting Property; Garden left in a state

leb050

I have just moved into a rented house, with a long garden, but the previous tenant (probably the landlord), did not look after the garden, obviously when I moved in; the letting agent made a note of this, but am I responsible for maintaining it?

I don't want to do much work (costs, and with renting I know you are not allowed to make any big changes)

also the rule in renting you leave the property as you find it!!
(but in my case, arrived in a mess, should be a mess!!)

I don't see why it should be totally my responsibilty!

Any help or advice is very much appreciated.
Many Thanks

Toiletduck

leb050 wrote: »

I have just moved into a rented house, with a long garden, but the previous tenant (probably the landlord), did not look after the garden, obviously when I moved in; the letting agent made a note of this, but am I responsible for maintaining it?

I don't want to do much work (costs, and with renting I know you are not allowed to make any big changes)

also the rule in renting you leave the property as you find it!!
(but in my case, arrived in a mess, should be a mess!!)

I don't see why it should be totally my responsibilty!

Any help or advice is very much appreciated.
Many Thanks

I guess it depends what the conract states. I lived in a rented house that had a tidy back garden. We never did any weeding or gardening though didnt really cross my mind - it wasnt exactly overgrown when we moved out but the landlord still deducted £50 from our deposit as we hadnt kept it up.

There was no mention of keeping the garden tidy in the contract but I couldnt be bothered with the argument. Ive never had a full deposit back yet, they allways seem to find something to take off around £100.

leb050

The contract indicates not to alter any fixtures and fittings both internally and externally (which I assume includes the garden)

the letting agent did take photos before I moved in (so they do have a record it being overgrown to start with!!)

I always note the rule leave in the same condition as when you move in, so I always make sure if there is a problem and the landlord won't fix it, make sure they know, so when I leave it won't be deemed my fault!!

thebaldwindowfitter

it is the tennants responsibility to maintain the gardens in most instances .i have properties which i rent out and state that the property should be left in the same condition ie paint ,carpets , cleaning ,furniture.i deduct from deposit such things the tennant who has just vacated left furniture in the house which they didnt want (i had to get rid of) didnt look like they had cleaned it then took the electric cooker out although it was there they left bare wires instead of putting a cover over these causing the electrical certificate to be void . i deducted £100 for electrician,£50 for cleaning ,£75 for removal of furniture.i have now got to replace the original cooker which the tennants desposed of without telling me

leb050

I'm left with overgrowing nettles, bushes, trees
A state which was given to me, by the landlord!, I know tenants don't always leave a property in the same condition, but its not fair for a tenant, if the landlord does a similar thing!!

Mojisola

Did you see the garden before you decided to rent the place? It would have been best to sort out what needed to be done at that stage. You may have been able to get the landlord to tidy it up and then it would only be a case of mowing the lawn to maintain it.

UmbraFeles

I had the same problem when I moved into a rented property a few years back - flowerbeds full of weeds, & the garden had grass and thistles taller than I was! The house was also full of junk from the previous tenant/ landlord and in the kitchen it looked like there'd been a party. I only got one set of keys which turned out not to be to the side door of the property or the deadlock on the front door. There was also no aerial so we had to use an indoor one because we weren't allowed to put one up. Oh, and the security light didn't work outside. Plus, I was hassled for months for the council tax, water, gas and electricity bills that had been left unpaid by the previous person.
I was assured by the letting agency that the mess etc. would be cleared up before I moved in but they lied. Although they did send someone to cut the lawn, the guy caused another problem by pulling the garden gate off it's hinges when he came to do it :rolleyes:

When I moved in I complained constantly for a few months and then decided that enough was enough. I wrote them a letter to inform them that I would be charging them for cleaning the property when I'd moved in; that the junk would be disposed of; and that as a health and safety requirement for a door leading outside from the kitchen, I would be getting the locks changed at their expense if they didn't advise me otherwise within 28 days. I had no response so I did what I'd said, sent copies of invoices and then when I sent the rent that month, I deducted the amount they owed me. Nothing was ever said but then the contact from them was very poor.
When I moved I got my full deposit back (I think they were just glad to be rid of me ) but I'd NEVER rent again - it's too much hassle.

On the other hand, when I was renting whilst at uni I had a fantastic landlord who either used to cut the grass himself or send his son to do it.

If I was you, I'd contact them (including photos) and ask them to either send someone to cut the grass or you'll do it yourself/ employ someone to do the intial maintenance and send them the bill. After it's in a decent state, then it's up to you to maintain that level.
That's really lazy of them to leave it like that, assuming you'll do something to save them the effort :mad: