We'd like to remind Forumites to please avoid political debate on the Forum... Read More »
PLEASE READ BEFORE POSTING: Hello Forumites! In order to help keep the Forum a useful, safe and friendly place for our users, discussions around non-MoneySaving matters are not permitted per the Forum rules. While we understand that mentioning house prices may sometimes be relevant to a user's specific MoneySaving situation, we ask that you please avoid veering into broad, general debates about the market, the economy and politics, as these can unfortunately lead to abusive or hateful behaviour. Threads that are found to have derailed into wider discussions may be removed. Users who repeatedly disregard this may have their Forum account banned. Please also avoid posting personally identifiable information, including links to your own online property listing which may reveal your address. Thank you for your understanding.
We're aware that some users are experiencing technical issues which the team are working to resolve. See the Community Noticeboard for more info. Thank you for your patience.
📨 Have you signed up to the Forum's new Email Digest yet? Get a selection of trending threads sent straight to your inbox daily, weekly or monthly!
Garden not cleaned up to standard by tenant.
Options
Comments
-
To be fair, there is no need for a clause in the contract regarding moss.Nor indeed, any need for a clause regarding garden maintenance.There is an implied responsibility to return the property (both inside and out) in the condition it was in at the start of the tenancy (less fair wear and tear).So the tenants should maintain the garden.Now, whether killing/removing moss in a lawn is part of a tenant's obigation to maintain the property and act 'in a tenant-like manner' is a moot point. For all I know there may be a long history of courts cases ruling on such a matter, or similar ones.Compare it, perhaps, with a tenant's obligation not to allow dust to settle and not to leave the property with a layer of dust everywhere. Or in some places.Alternatively, it could be argued that moss is 'fair wear and tear' - a natural developement over time that is to be expected, akin to the paintwork colour fading with age.Again- there could well be case history in the courts (and I don't plan to go searching - sorry!).Plus, of course, as I suggested earlier, if the LL were to pursue this, it would be important to be able to show there was no moss there originally.....1
-
greatcrested said:To be fair, there is no need for a clause in the contract regarding moss.Nor indeed, any need for a clause regarding garden maintenance.There is an implied responsibility to return the property (both inside and out) in the condition it was in at the start of the tenancy (less fair wear and tear)...................
moss in the Autumn/winter is reasonable even on a patio, the roof probably has a bit more than when they moved in.2 -
sapnavh said:My tenants have just vacated the house and house is in a decent condition but the garden is not quite there. The hedges are trimmed and grass in mowed but there is a patch moss in some are of the garden. Can I claim for getting that cleaned from them?Are you having us on??
5 -
Sure, have a look say the detailed photos you took of the garden at the start of the tenancy, showing which bit of grass is which, and the detailed description of each part, and then make sure you have new pictures, at the same time of year. You can't claim new for old - how old is the garden?0
-
OPs previous threads as TENANT
ER WOT?
Leaving early when landlord hasn’t given notice — MoneySavingExpert Forum
Dispute over accidental damage — MoneySavingExpert Forum
The world is not ruined by the wickedness of the wicked, but by the weakness of the good. Napoleon5 -
sapnavh said:My tenants have just vacated the house and house is in a decent condition but the garden is not quite there. The hedges are trimmed and grass in mowed but there is a patch moss in some are of the garden. Can I claim for getting that cleaned from them?And some landlords wonder why landlords get a bad name sometimes... Suppose we should admire your optimism ....Well, assuming your move-in ( & move-out) inventories & photos detailed the exact condition of that patch of garden , lack-of then appearance of moss, then yes, go ahead, make a claim through the deposit scheme. I doubt, believe & pray that the deposit scheme would not support you. Inventories done for me never go to that level of detail.Artful: Landlord since 20000
-
Hasbeen said:OPs previous threads as TENANT
ER WOT?
Leaving early when landlord hasn’t given notice — MoneySavingExpert Forum
Dispute over accidental damage — MoneySavingExpert Forum6 -
I hope this is a 'joke' post. I've just spent £100 getting my rented cottage garden tidied up, I've no idea if the moss was there when I moved in or not, it was described as 'seasonally untidy'.£216 saved 24 October 20141
-
I believe the moved out and left the toilet seat up too so that’s another fifty quid they owe you.
2 -
youth_leader said:I hope this is a 'joke' post. I've just spent £100 getting my rented cottage garden tidied up, I've no idea if the moss was there when I moved in or not, it was described as 'seasonally untidy'.
Did you take pictures of each blade of grass when you moved in?The world is not ruined by the wickedness of the wicked, but by the weakness of the good. Napoleon1
Confirm your email address to Create Threads and Reply

Categories
- All Categories
- 350.9K Banking & Borrowing
- 253.1K Reduce Debt & Boost Income
- 453.6K Spending & Discounts
- 243.9K Work, Benefits & Business
- 598.8K Mortgages, Homes & Bills
- 176.9K Life & Family
- 257.2K Travel & Transport
- 1.5M Hobbies & Leisure
- 16.1K Discuss & Feedback
- 37.6K Read-Only Boards