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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Not paying for garden work

808 replies

gardendramas5 · 16/05/2025 09:24

I’m pretty sure I’m not being unreasonable but I just want to see what other people think.

I purchased my house December last year. It was empty for at least 2 years (ex rental)

The previous owners kept the front and back garden tidy whilst it was on the market, no idea if it was them that did the work or if they paid someone. Both gardens are quite large. I started doing all of this myself when I took ownership.

Anyway, I’ve been away for the last week with family and came home on Wednesday to freshly cut grass, weeds pulled etc. I asked my neighbours if they had seen anyone but they were at work. It turns out that the previous owners hired a company to do the work and hadn’t notified them that they’d sold the house last year. I only found this out yesterday as the gardener turned up with the invoice. I explained I wasn’t aware of this arrangement and that he would have to invoice the previous owners for the work (I was polite and apologised for the inconvenience but made it clear I hadn’t asked for this work to be done and wasn’t prepared to pay for it either)

He knocked on again this morning and explained that he’d spoken to them yesterday and that they agreed to pay half (because it was their error) but that I should pay the rest because I’m the one benefiting from the work. I told him no sorry I’m not paying and he needs to take it up with them.

I do feel bad for the gardener, but it’s their fault. I didn't ask for this. They were awkward during the conveyancing process too so this doesn’t surprise me. AIBU?

OP posts:
anyolddinosaur · 16/05/2025 10:46

If I had contact details for the previous owners I'd be checking it wasnt a scam. If genuine I'd say I'm sorry I wasnt here so didnt know in time to stop you but I dont want help tending the garden. I didnt ask for this so I wont pay for it.

PurpleThistle7 · 16/05/2025 10:46

If it wasn’t a financial hardship I’d pay it as I’d just feel badly not doing it - and I’d be happy to have a weekend off the work, particularly with the gorgeous weather lately. But you aren’t obliged.

Zimunya · 16/05/2025 10:45

I don't think you have any responsibility here. The contract is between the gardener and the previous owners - nothing to do with you. You've been polite but firm - absolutely fair enough. Also, for those saying you've benefitted from the service - have you really? I don't think so. You moved in in December, and the gardener first visited you in May - you've already done a lot of a lot of work in the garden in the intervening five months. You sound more than capable, and a gardener who visits the property every five months is hardly a treasure.

Question285 · 16/05/2025 10:45

So the gardener hadn’t been since last year, but didn’t think to check with the homeowner that they still wanted their lawn mowed? Yeah, it’s between him and the previous owner.

But you should change the locks and padlock the garden, especially as the house used to be a rental and the seller was awkward. You never know who’s got keys. We were in a similar situation when we bought our house, and the first thing I did was change the locks on all external doors and installed a latch on the garden gate. It’s very easy, just watch a YouTube video.

Workinginthelivingroom · 16/05/2025 10:42

I agree that he may be trying to pull a fast one.

I also agree, as a gardener that I'd be pretty upset if someone turned up and messed with my garden. I know this likely isn't the case here as OP hasn't said but I have lots of annuals in the ground that may look like weeds to someone inexperienced.

I'd tell him to jog in. If he is genuine then maybe he can learn from this to double check ongoing contracts before starting again so late in the year.

viques · 16/05/2025 10:41

It’s a tricky one. Legally of course the contract is with the previous owners and you are under no obligation to pay, but I think a lot depends on a) the quality of the work and b) whether you think you would possibly ever employ the gardener again on your own contract.

If the answers are “good and yes” then pay half and be thankful you have found a decent gardener, if the answers are “rubbish and no” then say you are sorry but the contract lies with the previous owners.

I would also consider if he is local and has connections in the neighbourhood , you don’t want garden gate to blight all your social relationships in a new area. It might be politic to bite the bullet and pay half. Like I said, tricky!

Original poster
gardendramas5 · 16/05/2025 10:40

Thanks for all your replies, it seems like a mixed bag of opinions.

I don’t want to pay because I never asked for this work to be done, didn’t have an agreement with the gardener and I think it’s the sellers fault for not telling him. I spent quite a lot of money on a new lawn mower / gardening tools in March which I have already used and intend to use for the foreseeable. I already know a gardener who worked for me previously at my old house. If in the future I decide I don’t want to do the work myself, it’s him that I will use but for now I’d prefer to do it myself and save money.

OP posts:
Dozer · 16/05/2025 10:39

Gardener’s contract is with the previous owner. Managing his business and contracts is his problem. He shouldn’t have approached you seeking any money.

WokeMarxistPope · 16/05/2025 10:39

The previous owners are trying it on only offering half if they have a contract that says he can come whenever he wants without previous notification. If they don’t that’s his problem. It’s suprising he doesn’t notify the date in advance.
Presumably if the OP contracted such a service she’d like the chance to tell them what to do and not to do.

ANiceBigCupOfTea · 16/05/2025 10:38

The contract is with them and they should pay.
If he was good and it's affordable to pay the half it may be a good shout to pay in case you do need/want him in future but yanbu not to pay at all.

BoredZelda · 16/05/2025 10:38

Nosleepforthismum · 16/05/2025 09:57

I’d pay half to keep the peace. It won’t be that much money and a bad reputation amongst the trades is quickly spread. My neighbours have pissed off a number of tradesmen, gardeners and window cleaners by disputing payments, paying late and generally being difficult. They recently commented how expensive everything seemed to have become, seemingly unaware their reputation precedes them and are now subject to the “arsehole tax” put on by everyone that now comes to quote.

OP isn’t being difficult, she isn’t disputing payment or paying late. A complete stranger came to the door asking for money for work she didn’t request. If the local trades have a problem with that, I’d happily never use them. A good tradie would not do this. If the neighbours thought I was shitty for not paying someone I didn’t hire, I wouldn’t want to associate with such a bunch of wet lettuces either.

Pigsears · 16/05/2025 10:37

He should have refused the previous owners offer of half. His contract is with them. Who benefits is irrelevant.

It would then be up to the previous owners to negotiate with you.

He has put himself in a bad spot here.

FrenchandSaunders · 16/05/2025 10:37

I agree it is a bit late though ... our gardener returns early/mid March, and he always texts me to say the date he's planning to return.

WaltzingWaters · 16/05/2025 10:36

Not on you at all. The previous owners need to pay. I do hope the gardener doesn’t lose out, but it’s not your issue. If it’s a small amount (less than about £20) I guess I wouldn’t mind paying half on this occasion as it would have saved me a job, but I wouldn’t be paying more than that.

FrenchandSaunders · 16/05/2025 10:35

Half of a one off garden trim up can't be a lot of money. I'd just pay it.

travelallthetime · 16/05/2025 10:35

Everyone saying 'poor gardener'. He is running a business and should run it more professionally!
No, I wouldnt pay anything, his contract is with the previous owner and he has a cheek coming to you asking for half. What he should be doing is telling the previous owners that they pay up or he takes them to small claims. Given you have lived there for 6 months and have never seen him, he also should be changing his practices to check with customers that they are still expecting his services before he randomly turns up. What if you were naked sunbathing in the back garden??!!

MananaPenelope · 16/05/2025 10:34

I wouldn’t pay anything. Not your problem at all OP.

Sugargliderwombat · 16/05/2025 10:33

Oh, poor guy, I would pay if I could, sorry OP.

BoredZelda · 16/05/2025 10:32

AlteredStater · 16/05/2025 09:36

I think you should pay half, to be honest.

What? OP should pay someone to do work she didn’t hire them to do? That’s a ridiculous thing to say. You would really pay a company you didn’t hire, to do work you didn’t ask for? Grow a set FGS.

I had a window cleaner come to my door looking for payment for doing my windows. Turns out they did the wrong house. They insisted I paid them as they had done the work, I said thank you very much for doing my windows but I didn’t ask you to so I’m not paying you.

NamefromNowhere · 16/05/2025 10:31

This is the fault of the previous owners AND the gardener. The contract was between them. And the gardener should have contacted the owners after such a long time of not attending, as a courtesy call and to make sure everything was okay to start again this season. Then the situation would have been clarified. It's not up to the OP to pay for their errors.

godmum56 · 16/05/2025 10:30

Badbadbunny · 16/05/2025 10:03

Are you sure the gardener isn't trying to con you? Mid May is VERY late for the first gardening visit of the year. They should have been doing the lawn since Easter at the latest. Likewise, there's been pruning, dead-heading etc to do for a few weeks now of the early flowering shrubs. "If" they are genuine, they should have realised that "someone else" has already mowed the lawn since they last did last Autumn!

It's a pretty common scam for "some" unscrupulous workmen to do work that no one has asked them to do and then they try to persuade you to pay them. Very easy if this gardener knew that someone new has moved into a house!

a very good point here.

godmum56 · 16/05/2025 10:29

I'd be mad as hell. I do no mow may and grow (in a controlled way) weeds for wildlife and to feed my tortoise. If someone came in and cut my grass and pulled my weeds without my permission I would not be a happy bunny. In your situation, I don't know what i'd do. I think it would depend on how bad the (in my opinion) damage was and how much the bloke was asking for....also how they asked. I don't play well with people who demand or expect.

Ellephanting · 16/05/2025 10:29

heldinadream · 16/05/2025 09:36

OP is not 'benefiting' as she's a person who is happy to do her own gardening! This is totally on the previous owners. They didn't cancel the service, they owe the fee.

Absolutely this ^ what a cheek from the previous owners!

ChocolateCinderToffee · 16/05/2025 10:27

I would contact the previous owners to check that this person is genuine and that the charge is the usual one. If he is, I would pay. It can’t be a lot of money.

LardoBurrows · 16/05/2025 10:26

Badbadbunny · 16/05/2025 10:03

Are you sure the gardener isn't trying to con you? Mid May is VERY late for the first gardening visit of the year. They should have been doing the lawn since Easter at the latest. Likewise, there's been pruning, dead-heading etc to do for a few weeks now of the early flowering shrubs. "If" they are genuine, they should have realised that "someone else" has already mowed the lawn since they last did last Autumn!

It's a pretty common scam for "some" unscrupulous workmen to do work that no one has asked them to do and then they try to persuade you to pay them. Very easy if this gardener knew that someone new has moved into a house!

This was my first thought too. Why has the gardener not shown up before now? Also I think it's odd that he wouldn't have contacted the people he had a contract with via phone/ text to confirm his visit, which would then have prompted them to advise him they had moved and cancel the contract.