Hedge in rented house

hudashley_2

I have quite a large hedge surrounding the property. This was larger than normal when I moved in.

The tenancy states I am 'not to lop, cut, prune or otherwise injure and bushes or trees'.

I was unsure as to how I stood in relation with the hedge, so queried with my letting agent. I was advised (and have the email), to 'leave the hedge if I do not feel comfortable with it if it is not bothering me, as the landlord won't contribute.', when I queried this clause.

I am now been told by the letting agent I must pay for the hedge to be cut if I am unable to do so (its around 10ft high). I have directed them to this email several times, to be told that 'it will be dealt with by a manager', it is then ignored.

The letting agent is now claiming I advised the local branch I would cut it myself, however this is not the case.

I was wondering if anyone knew where I stand with it, with it being less manageable than when I was advised to leave it.

AnnieO1234

Tell them to prove it. If your agreement specifically tells you you can't even PRUNE the hedge then they are on to a non-starter. Not your problem at all.

xxx

HappyMJ

hudashley wrote: »

I have quite a large hedge surrounding the property. This was larger than normal when I moved in.

The tenancy states I am 'not to lop, cut, prune or otherwise injure and bushes or trees'.

I was unsure as to how I stood in relation with the hedge, so queried with my letting agent. I was advised (and have the email), to 'leave the hedge if I do not feel comfortable with it if it is not bothering me, as the landlord won't contribute.', when I queried this clause.

I am now been told by the letting agent I must pay for the hedge to be cut if I am unable to do so (its around 10ft high). I have directed them to this email several times, to be told that 'it will be dealt with by a manager', it is then ignored.

The letting agent is now claiming I advised the local branch I would cut it myself, however this is not the case.

I was wondering if anyone knew where I stand with it, with it being less manageable than when I was advised to leave it.

LOL...

Just point them to the tenancy agreement that they forgot to alter for this property and just reprinted one from last week. The landlord probably didn't even know the letting agent had that in the default tenancy agreement. Most landlords would expect the tenant to cut the grass and lop back overgrown bushes and hedges.

You're on good ground. Even if you do nothing they cannot deduct anything from your deposit at the end of the tenancy to cut it all back. With that much overgrowth that would cost maybe a hundred or more to lop back and dispose of.

AnotherJoe

I agree, never mind the email, just show them the tenancy agreement !

is there anything else in there about the garden? Presumably it covers mowing the lawn? Does it mention trimming hedges? If not they dont seem to have any grounds for action

glasgowdan

Minimise any emails or calls to them. A clear email, IF they push you to get it trimmed, highlighting that bit above from the agreement, will be enough.

hudashley_2

Thanks for the replies.

The tenancy does say to maintain the garden, but makes no specific mention of hedges.

That was the reason for me querying it with the letting agent, basically asking how I maintain a hedge without cutting or pruning it, leading me to be told to leave it.

They've since tried saying by cut, they mean cut down. The agreement I signed however does not say cut down.

They've quoted me £230 from a contractor carrying out other overdue repairs, and told me I've previously told them on inspections that I was going to cut it... I haven't.

Going to stand my ground anyway

AnotherJoe

Good on you. Theyve screwed up and let themselves in for a nice twice-yearly bill.