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AIBU?

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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:
Pomonafluff · 19/05/2025 09:44

IfYouPutASausageInItItsNotAViennetta · 19/05/2025 09:35

But he did the hard work in good faith for the person he had had the agreement with (albeit he didn't bother to check beforehand after half a year had passed) - so if anybody should pay, it's him.

Why does that involve OP, just because it was her garden that he trespassed in and did unnecessary unwanted work in?

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Yes you're correct - he did it for the old owners who forgot to cancel him, and he arguably didn't show due diligence to check they hadn't moved house without telling him, but the OP still received the service, which I can't believe has come as a hindrance and the mistake is reflected in a half price deal from the old owners. I think the OP has really reacted indignantly to being ambushed as it were by an unexpected cost, even if it's a good deal . Looks like we won't come to an agreement on this issue. I suppose it could be about temperament, personality and what your conscience is telling you.

Pomonafluff · 19/05/2025 09:36

AthWat · 19/05/2025 09:23

Not a cheap shot, just a recognition. Nobody real talks about "breeding" like that. Unfortunately you don't have sufficient real-world experience of what you perceive as "posh" people to successfully impersonate one.

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No idea what you mean by real. I have plenty of world experience. I never used the word ' posh ' nor am I trying to affect such a persona, whatever that is. I think you may mean socio economic class. Breeding and socio economic class are two distinct concepts. Out of interest though, what makes one posh ? Apart from posh spice.

IfYouPutASausageInItItsNotAViennetta · 19/05/2025 09:35

Pomonafluff · 19/05/2025 09:29

No, because nobody does hard graft in a garden trying to ' sucker' ( is that a Mr T phrase, I loved the A team ), anybody. It's more an issue of understanding and accepting how the situation has unfolded and acknowledging the hard work done in good faith and renumerating the man or woman who has done the work. The reason why this could be about breeding is because the way one is raised has a very large impact on how we view these issues. It's not about socio economic class.

Show quote history

But he did the hard work in good faith for the person he had had the agreement with (albeit he didn't bother to check beforehand after half a year had passed) - so if anybody should pay, it's him.

Why does that involve OP, just because it was her garden that he trespassed in and did unnecessary unwanted work in?

Pomonafluff · 19/05/2025 09:29

godmum56 · 18/05/2025 22:46

so what does this mean? If you let yourself be suckered you are well bred?

Show quote history

No, because nobody does hard graft in a garden trying to ' sucker' ( is that a Mr T phrase, I loved the A team ), anybody. It's more an issue of understanding and accepting how the situation has unfolded and acknowledging the hard work done in good faith and renumerating the man or woman who has done the work. The reason why this could be about breeding is because the way one is raised has a very large impact on how we view these issues. It's not about socio economic class.

IfYouPutASausageInItItsNotAViennetta · 19/05/2025 09:28

AthWat · 19/05/2025 09:23

Not a cheap shot, just a recognition. Nobody real talks about "breeding" like that. Unfortunately you don't have sufficient real-world experience of what you perceive as "posh" people to successfully impersonate one.

Show quote history

It's very Hyacinth Bucket language - hilarious in a nightmare fictional character who is set up to be laughed at; but I agree, not something you'd expect to hear from an actual real person.

AthWat · 19/05/2025 09:28

tempname1234 · 19/05/2025 07:38

The gardener himself is to blame. Who turns up in May to do the first cut of the year? The first weeding if the year?

no communication to indicate when he was coming? in all these months?

he would have seen the lawn cut and flowers/weeding. No. I don’t buy this as oh poor gardener.

on another note, similar happened to me except I was home when the gardener turned up (and it was end of March), a week or so after we moved in. In my case, also empty rental prior to our buying, the gardener was looking for past payment for work prior to my completing and moving in.

I said no way. That I knew nothing about his arrangement with the previous owner and I did not own the property then.

I did, however, ask him his rates and hired him for the occasional work for things I couldn’t do or had difficulty doing. This didn’t really work out though because he didn’t show up as agreed and if he didn’t like flowers/bulbs I planted, he dug them up. Particularly, I had planted hundreds of daffodils and he pulled up all the bulbs and put them in the bin.

the gardener I have now texts before coming over at least the day before.

the window cleaner I use texts at least day or two before coming over as well.

I do not buy it a gardener just comes over without any communication in over 5 months (and also this late into the season). He was chancing his luck with you.

This didn’t really work out though because he didn’t show up as agreed and if he didn’t like flowers/bulbs I planted, he dug them up. Particularly, I had planted hundreds of daffodils and he pulled up all the bulbs and put them in the bin.

What an absolute idiot. I'd be amazed if he has any work.

AthWat · 19/05/2025 09:26

Pomonafluff · 19/05/2025 09:21

May is late to do the first lawn cut, but not really late for the first weeding. There will be plenty of weeds to go at in May, so it was probably quite alot of work. I suspect he was on a retainer. Somebody should have phoned somebody, but does that still mean the gardener shouldn't be paid ?

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Of course he should be paid - by the people who failed to cancel his contract. They are trying to get the OP to pay their bill.

There wouldn't have been that much work as the OP had been working on it - the gardener was expecting a place untouched since last Autumn but that's not what he would have got.

AthWat · 19/05/2025 09:23

Pomonafluff · 19/05/2025 09:11

Ah , a parting cheap shot as you concede the debate. Have fun being sharp elbowed and mercenary.

Show quote history

Not a cheap shot, just a recognition. Nobody real talks about "breeding" like that. Unfortunately you don't have sufficient real-world experience of what you perceive as "posh" people to successfully impersonate one.

Pomonafluff · 19/05/2025 09:21

tempname1234 · 19/05/2025 07:38

The gardener himself is to blame. Who turns up in May to do the first cut of the year? The first weeding if the year?

no communication to indicate when he was coming? in all these months?

he would have seen the lawn cut and flowers/weeding. No. I don’t buy this as oh poor gardener.

on another note, similar happened to me except I was home when the gardener turned up (and it was end of March), a week or so after we moved in. In my case, also empty rental prior to our buying, the gardener was looking for past payment for work prior to my completing and moving in.

I said no way. That I knew nothing about his arrangement with the previous owner and I did not own the property then.

I did, however, ask him his rates and hired him for the occasional work for things I couldn’t do or had difficulty doing. This didn’t really work out though because he didn’t show up as agreed and if he didn’t like flowers/bulbs I planted, he dug them up. Particularly, I had planted hundreds of daffodils and he pulled up all the bulbs and put them in the bin.

the gardener I have now texts before coming over at least the day before.

the window cleaner I use texts at least day or two before coming over as well.

I do not buy it a gardener just comes over without any communication in over 5 months (and also this late into the season). He was chancing his luck with you.

May is late to do the first lawn cut, but not really late for the first weeding. There will be plenty of weeds to go at in May, so it was probably quite alot of work. I suspect he was on a retainer. Somebody should have phoned somebody, but does that still mean the gardener shouldn't be paid ?

Pomonafluff · 19/05/2025 09:11

AthWat · 18/05/2025 22:53

Ah, you're a troll. Have fun with it.

Show quote history

Ah , a parting cheap shot as you concede the debate. Have fun being sharp elbowed and mercenary.

godmum56 · 19/05/2025 09:03

Shamsie24 · 19/05/2025 08:52

If you pay any monies you are entering into a contract - so don't pay. It's unfortunate for the gardener but it is to do with the previous owners.

No thats not true.

Shamsie24 · 19/05/2025 08:52

If you pay any monies you are entering into a contract - so don't pay. It's unfortunate for the gardener but it is to do with the previous owners.

WeWillAllGoTogether · 19/05/2025 08:52

Particularly, I had planted hundreds of daffodils and he pulled up all the bulbs and put them in the bin.

OMG Shock

According to some posters on here though, you'll have had the "benefit" of a tidy garden and should be grateful to the "poor" gardener...

IfYouPutASausageInItItsNotAViennetta · 19/05/2025 08:36

changeme4this · 19/05/2025 06:13

Where I live, it’s common practice for property sale and purchase agreements to go through a solicitor who coordinates with banks and the other party.

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Yes, of course you engage a solicitor for specific significant transactions such as property purchases, for the period whilst the purchase is going through until completion.

But going by a lot of what you read on MN, you'd assume that most people generally retained their own all-rounder solicitor permanently on hand, all ready to jump in for every single little neighbourhood quibble or very minor legal eventuality at a moment's notice!

Another2Cats · 19/05/2025 08:10

tempname1234 · 19/05/2025 07:38

The gardener himself is to blame. Who turns up in May to do the first cut of the year? The first weeding if the year?

no communication to indicate when he was coming? in all these months?

he would have seen the lawn cut and flowers/weeding. No. I don’t buy this as oh poor gardener.

on another note, similar happened to me except I was home when the gardener turned up (and it was end of March), a week or so after we moved in. In my case, also empty rental prior to our buying, the gardener was looking for past payment for work prior to my completing and moving in.

I said no way. That I knew nothing about his arrangement with the previous owner and I did not own the property then.

I did, however, ask him his rates and hired him for the occasional work for things I couldn’t do or had difficulty doing. This didn’t really work out though because he didn’t show up as agreed and if he didn’t like flowers/bulbs I planted, he dug them up. Particularly, I had planted hundreds of daffodils and he pulled up all the bulbs and put them in the bin.

the gardener I have now texts before coming over at least the day before.

the window cleaner I use texts at least day or two before coming over as well.

I do not buy it a gardener just comes over without any communication in over 5 months (and also this late into the season). He was chancing his luck with you.

"Particularly, I had planted hundreds of daffodils and he pulled up all the bulbs and put them in the bin."

OMG that is terrible behaviour. Did he try to offer any explanation or was it purely that he just didn't like them?

AthWat · 19/05/2025 07:43

TheHerboriste · 19/05/2025 00:26

Troll is giving the benefit of the doubt that cognition exists.

Show quote history

Really I think anyone who says " Just goes to show the importance of breeding." is just trying to play a character, with a bad script they wrote themselves. No human being would actually say that; it's a line from a "posh" character in a low-brow sitcom.

tempname1234 · 19/05/2025 07:38

The gardener himself is to blame. Who turns up in May to do the first cut of the year? The first weeding if the year?

no communication to indicate when he was coming? in all these months?

he would have seen the lawn cut and flowers/weeding. No. I don’t buy this as oh poor gardener.

on another note, similar happened to me except I was home when the gardener turned up (and it was end of March), a week or so after we moved in. In my case, also empty rental prior to our buying, the gardener was looking for past payment for work prior to my completing and moving in.

I said no way. That I knew nothing about his arrangement with the previous owner and I did not own the property then.

I did, however, ask him his rates and hired him for the occasional work for things I couldn’t do or had difficulty doing. This didn’t really work out though because he didn’t show up as agreed and if he didn’t like flowers/bulbs I planted, he dug them up. Particularly, I had planted hundreds of daffodils and he pulled up all the bulbs and put them in the bin.

the gardener I have now texts before coming over at least the day before.

the window cleaner I use texts at least day or two before coming over as well.

I do not buy it a gardener just comes over without any communication in over 5 months (and also this late into the season). He was chancing his luck with you.

changeme4this · 19/05/2025 06:13

IfYouPutASausageInItItsNotAViennetta · 19/05/2025 01:04

Do most people actually have their own solicitor - along with their own gardener?

Are these standard things for 'decent' people that we working class ignorami will just never properly appreciate?

Show quote history

Where I live, it’s common practice for property sale and purchase agreements to go through a solicitor who coordinates with banks and the other party.

IamtheDevilsAvocado · 19/05/2025 03:07

IfYouPutASausageInItItsNotAViennetta · 16/05/2025 11:04

I wonder if he knew very well that there was a new owner, but thought that he could just keep the regular job - without ever reasoning that the new owner might not want to pay him for it; going on the basis that, from his perspective, nothing had changed except for a new bill-payer.

Maybe he presumptuously reckoned that, if he asked first, she might say No; but if he went ahead and did it, and she was so impressed by his work, she would gladly pay up and keep him coming back in future.

After all, there are people on this thread saying that OP should pay if she can - at least something - out of pity for the gardener.

The big flaw with that, though, is that it's totally irrelevant how good or bad his work is, if it hasn't ever been agreed and isn't wanted by the new householder.

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We moved into a first floor flat... We were in and out sorting stuff... It was quite clear that we were. Moving /only just moved in... Stuff everywhere... Packing boxes going out for recycling.

We returned to our flat after a few hours with pals to find a window cleaner on doorstep demanding £40... He'd already cleaned the pretty OK level of cleanliness windows ('as I always did the other other lady").. I refused (nicely) to pay... We always cleaned ourselves and no way did I have the interest /means to pay this mad amount... It was literally 6 windows... Up a ladder... But still a huge amount 10 years ago... And more to the point we didn't want a window cleaner!

He got sarky and siad he'd never return.... Good!

He even said he knew it was new tenants... Seems he was just chancing his arm on new customers!

IfYouPutASausageInItItsNotAViennetta · 19/05/2025 01:14

Why are so many people saying that, if you're well-off, you should just hand out your money to anybody who unilaterally decides that they've earned it from you, as a basic moral standard?

On a completely unrelated note (can't be bothered to start my own new thread), I'm conducting a, erm, scientific study of the link between people who have lots of money and people who are easily taken in and a soft touch - if you consider yourself to be both of these, please PM me your name and address and when you're out at work and I'll let you know when the next, um, study group meeting is.

IfYouPutASausageInItItsNotAViennetta · 19/05/2025 01:04

changeme4this · 18/05/2025 21:53

I feel sorry for the guy doing all this running around. Can you contact your solicitor and tell them what has occurred and to contact the other party to get it sorted…?

Do most people actually have their own solicitor - along with their own gardener?

Are these standard things for 'decent' people that we working class ignorami will just never properly appreciate?

TheHerboriste · 19/05/2025 00:26

AthWat · 18/05/2025 22:53

Ah, you're a troll. Have fun with it.

Show quote history

Troll is giving the benefit of the doubt that cognition exists.

TheHerboriste · 19/05/2025 00:23

Pomonafluff · 18/05/2025 22:49

That doesn't really make sense. The chap apparently mowed the lawns and did some weeding. What do you think she does with her new lawn mower and garden tools ? You're being a proper lawyer about it. If she's hard up, could be viewed a bit differently, otherwise the argument is technocratic mean spirited one to not want to pay half the cost. If you've got to have the concept explained to you, your beyond being conducive to my argument. Just goes to show the importance of breeding.

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I can’t believe anyone is this obtuse, ignorant and dim.

I own three lawn mowers and a large shed full of tools.

Nevertheless my front and rear garden are unmowed and un “weeded” because that is how I, the actual property owner, prefer it to be at this time of year. Strongly prefer.

Any trespassing arsehole who thought they were doing me a favour by vandalizing my garden would be fortunate to escape without a costly lawsuit.

AthWat · 18/05/2025 22:53

Pomonafluff · 18/05/2025 22:49

That doesn't really make sense. The chap apparently mowed the lawns and did some weeding. What do you think she does with her new lawn mower and garden tools ? You're being a proper lawyer about it. If she's hard up, could be viewed a bit differently, otherwise the argument is technocratic mean spirited one to not want to pay half the cost. If you've got to have the concept explained to you, your beyond being conducive to my argument. Just goes to show the importance of breeding.

Show quote history

Ah, you're a troll. Have fun with it.

Pomonafluff · 18/05/2025 22:49

AthWat · 18/05/2025 19:58

She already had a "well manicured" garden. She maintains it herself.

You are assuming she wants it in the state he's left it. I presume becuase you want yours as "well manicured" as possible. Well not everyone wants that. I wouldn't. Therefore it's not contrary to say there's no benefit.

Some people like to look spray tanned. It's a service they pay for. they think it looks good. If someone came and spray tanned me while I sleep do I have to pay because I "have a benefit" if I hate that look? What if I just don't care enough about it to pay for it?

It's an unsupportable position.

Who do you think is lacking "good grace"?

Show quote history

That doesn't really make sense. The chap apparently mowed the lawns and did some weeding. What do you think she does with her new lawn mower and garden tools ? You're being a proper lawyer about it. If she's hard up, could be viewed a bit differently, otherwise the argument is technocratic mean spirited one to not want to pay half the cost. If you've got to have the concept explained to you, your beyond being conducive to my argument. Just goes to show the importance of breeding.