Garden maintenance in a rented house

tbs624

I'd agree with G-M's common sense post except for that clause
quoted bythe OP:

"To keep the garden in the same condition and state of cultivation as it was in at the start of tenancy as stated in the inventory and to ensure the lawns and designated grass areas are kept properly mown and tidy and no(t) to cut down or remove or alter the general shape of any trees, plants or shrubs"

A bit of minor hedgetrimmer/ secateur-waving for side of hedge maintenance at a low level is one thing, but topping off tall hedges/ shrubs/trees over ladder height should be dealt with by the LL IMO.

If he has to get someone in to do the hedges he can set the costs against rental income for tax purposes: the T cannot.

ali-t

What state were they in when you moved in? Have they grown dramatically and is it the LL asking you to keep it neat now or have you realised it has got totally overgrown?

talulahbeige_2

ali-t wrote: »

What state were they in when you moved in? Have they grown dramatically and is it the LL asking you to keep it neat now or have you realised it has got totally overgrown?

Below 6ft they were neatly trimmed, above head height was ovrgrown so the previous tennant must have cut them as high as they could reach.
Consequently the lower section needs minor trimming, above 6ft it is majorly overgrown

BitterAndTwisted

So the landlord is seeking to force you to make good where the previous tenants did not. Cheeky sod! Did you query this when you took on the tenancy?

talulahbeige_2

BitterAndTwisted wrote: »

So the landlord is seeking to force you to make good where the previous tenants did not. Cheeky sod! Did you query this when you took on the tenancy?

No but we took photos to back up the condition of the house/ gardens for inventory purposes

tbs624

In which case , just trim the hedge sides as the previous T did. Any LL who has high hedges needs to allow for the costs involved, especially if they are of the dreaded Leylandii type.

prudryden

talulahbeige wrote: »

Who's talking fault? I asked for advice and opinions not blame!
If it is our responsibility we are happy to do the work as long as we have the correct tools and not just a basic hedge trimmer that he found at a car boot sale. His main aim in life is to spend as little as possible whilst being useless

The LL may not want to provide the tools for fear that if you injure yourself with tools he provided e.g. falling off a ladder he provided because it wasn't suitable for the terrain ---- then guest what? £££££$$$$$$

talulahbeige_2

prudryden wrote: »

The LL may not want to provide the tools for fear that if you injure yourself with tools he provided e.g. falling off a ladder he provided because it wasn't suitable for the terrain ---- then guest what? £££££$$$$$$

Which is fine but as the contract states he has to provide the tools so i can comply with the clause then what can i do

I dont think this is the case though as he didnt even realise he had to provide the tools - a LL who doesnt even know his own contract!

jockosjungle

Say you are happy to leave them as tall unkept hedges, its your job to keep them in the current state which is too tall to cut, no effort needed. If he cuts them down to 6ft, say you'll keep on top of it

R

ali-t

talulahbeige wrote: »

Below 6ft they were neatly trimmed, above head height was ovrgrown so the previous tennant must have cut them as high as they could reach.
Consequently the lower section needs minor trimming, above 6ft it is majorly overgrown

surely then leaving them in the condition they were in when you moved in only requires the bottom 6' needing trimmed. If your LL wants more done then it sounds like he is chancing his luck.