Do I need to report pest damage to landlord?

Lbuk

Hi. There are a family of rabbits making a mess of the lawn of my rented property.

I really enjoy watching the babies playing in the evening but they are starting to dig up the lawn.

I’m not bothered about the lawn but I don’t want to be liable, however I’m mindful that the solution might be to kill them all.

I don’t mind rabbits being eaten but they’re a little family and it’s only a bit of turf.

Am I legally obligated to report it or is it something he should spot for himself when he does any visits?

sacvwgolf

Pretty easy to fix yourself if you wanted them to carry on in peace...a few grass seeds or a bit of lawn turf. No telling what the LL might do if he wanted to rid them

canaldumidi

If you don't inform him, AND don't fix the lawn, then there is a distinct possibility of a proposed deduction from your dposit if/when you leave.

You could dispute this, but who knows which way the arbitarators would decide......

Far better to inform him.

As a tenant, you have a legal duty to act 'in a tenant-like manner'. (Lord Denning 1953/4 Warren v Keen). That includes bringing property issues to the landlord's attention in a timely manner. If the roof started leaking and causing internal damage, and you failed to tell him (perhaps because your own possessions were not getting wet) you could be liable for the ongoing damage.

This is a similar scenario.

MaryNB

Check your tenancy agreement but often the upkeep of the garden is a responsibility of the tenants. When you move out you'll just need to make sure the lawn is in the same condition as when you got it. Unless it's very bad it's unlikely the landlord will be concerned during your tenancy. 

SDLT_Geek

canaldumidi said:

(Lord Denning 1953/4 Warren v Keen).

What an appropriate case name!