Garden Maintenance

danlewi2

We moved into our rented property in December 2016, the rear Garden was over grown with weeds and brambles before we moved it however these were cleared down to the ground prior to us moving in. As it was winter nothing really grew so was not an issue until the spring when the weeds/brambles began to reappear. We reported this to our letting agent who said they would discuss it with the Landlord, this went on for a number of weeks, we were advised that the landlord was speaking to their gardener however nothing happened. So eventually I hired a petrol brush cutter and cleared it all back with help of family. We also cut back he bushes that border our driveway and one side of the rear garden. The condition of the back garden is now much improved after some heavy weeding by myself and some good grass care.

Is it unreasonable to ask the Landlord to contract gardeners to maintain the bushes that border one side of the rear garden (approx 80ft) and either side of our front garden? I dont really want to purchase a hedge trimmer and spend a majority of my weekend doing this.

AdrianC

Does the rent explicitly include a gardener? If not, then - yes - it is unreasonable.


You rent a house with a garden, you do the gardening. Same as you clean the kitchen, hoover the carpets, etc. You don't expect the landlord to do other things as basic as that, do you?


If you don't want to do any gardening, rent a flat.

danlewi2

Basic gardening is cutting the grass, weeding, watering the plants. Trimming 100 ft of holly bush I deemed slightly different. If you could see the state of the garden from the start of our tenancy to what it is now its a vast improvement.

Pixie5740

Does your tenancy agreement say who is responsible for maintaining the garden? I presume that your tenancy includes the garden.

danlewi2

States - keep in a neat and tidy condition as at the commencement of the tenancy.

I'll order my hedge trimmer :-)

AdrianC

danlewi2 wrote: »

States - keep in a neat and tidy condition as at the commencement of the tenancy.

There y'go, then...

I'll order my hedge trimmer :-)

A tenner will get you a pair of shears from Amazon...

danlewi2

100 ft of holly bush! i want it dne in a weekend not a week!

theartfullodger

As long as you return the place with weeds and brambles no worse than you moved in, you are fine. I'd let them grow until 2 days before I leave.


Artful (Landlord btw...)

AdrianC

100ft - 30m - with an electric trimmer won't take you much more than an hour or two... With a pair of shears, it might take you a relatively leisurely day. And just think how much good it'll do you!

danlewi2

Well that is part of my weekend planned.

Cakeguts

If you don't like gardening don't rent a house with a garden.