Tenant complaining about garden

RuthL

I'm pretty sure it's not a dog breeding thing as it is in a lovely new development of houses where it can be looked in on by the row behind and neighbour (its a semi) although it is on the end of the development which is beside fields.

We don't do regular checks as we didn't want to be interfering if you know what I mean, I have seen the house a few times when picking up stray post etc and the interior always looked in great condition so I didn't really have anything to worry about.

comeandgo

Is there a road junction as you say it is at the end? Again your high fence could cause problems if it is in any way restricting drivers views of roads. This I know as our house is at the end and a good bit away from the junction but we cant put anything higher than 2' at front.

RuthL

No the road stops dead at the front of the house and then there is a gate into the field.

I think that they are just passionate dog people who are terrified that the dogs would escape out of the garden and went a bit overboard. Again I don't really care about the fence as it can easily be taken down when they leave, it's just about the fact that they want me to 'fix' the back garden so that it doesn't get too wet lol.

At the start I was worried that I am liable for it, then I thought about it and realised that it was a bit of a cheeky demand. It was great to hear everyone else's input and to hear that I wasn't just being mean by telling them no.

comeandgo

No, you sound a very nice person and your tennants sound as though they are taking the pxss.

Yorkie1

People have mentioned the planning permission issue, but I think you said you were in N.Ireland - you'd need to check whether similar rules applied there. The comments about PP relate to England/Wales, as far as I am aware.

[Deleted User]

The OP needs to check if they, as owners would be responsible for reinstating the original fencing or reducing the height of the 8ft high fence if it was reported to the planning department.

dimbo61

Now before you read the riot act and kick your tenants out have you considered speaking to them.
Our garden was also a mud bath in the winter due to clay base and very little soil on top and yes the dogs may churn it up.
I bought some 4" drainage pipe from the local builders merchants and dug a trench across the garden from it's high part to low part near the storm drain. Dug down about 18/24" by 12" wide and put the pipe at the bottom. Covered this with gravel then top soil. Ground much better in winter and summer.
Tenants can do this for little cost. And you might keep them for years

witchy1066

comeandgo wrote: »

you sound a very nice person and your tennants sound as though they are taking the pxss.

^^^^ and will continue to do so ,unless you start to do something about it,

Raksha

You don't need height to keep a dog in, many coukd scale even an 8' fence if they really wanted too. What's needed is overhang or an unstable top line, like trellis.
Such a shame owners like this take the pee and spoil things for 'normal' pet owners

SerialRenter

I've never understood the shouts to evict tenants the moment they make a request that may seem a little over the top.

Saying no costs nothing, having an empty property and possibly having to go to court to evict a tenant will certainly cost.

If they're paying the rent on time, not trashing the place and look like they're well settled why would anyone want to change that arrangement?

I perhaps think some landlords forgot they're running a business and become a little too emotionally involved!

I must commend the OP for being sensible, I'd imagine if the lawn is a mess when they eventually leave it's not the hardest thing to repair. And after all, that's what the deposit is for