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Original poster

Would it be high maintenance to complain about the garden at the holiday rental?

42 replies

Ouiouimerci · 26/07/2026 08:47

We are staying at a holiday rental for 2 weeks and the plants in the plant boxes around the terrace are completely dead - there is also one large dead tree branch jutting out that looks quite hazardous.

The terrace is where you spend all your time, family bbqs etc so it just feels quite dreary and apocalyptic.

The owner lives on site and there are a number of other houses on the property and they have extensive gardens (with non dead plants!) so they are set up to support and garden.

Would I be unreasonable to (1) offer to do a bit of light terrace gardening and remove the dead plants myself (empty plant boxes would be preferable) or (2) kick up slightly more fuss and ask if a gardener is planned and what is happening with the hazardous dead branch?

We have paid €4500 euro for the two weeks so not a budget stay, and the place is definitely billed as a luxe rural accommodation.

Not sure if I’m being OTT though and don’t want to annoy her and seem crazy.

Please let me know wise MN!

OP posts:
helenatroy · 26/07/2026 20:11

Can you ask to move to a neighbouring property?

LindorDoubleChoc · 26/07/2026 19:35

ikeeprootingforyou · 26/07/2026 19:15

We’re in a heatwave with a drought on. I suspect that they’re just saving water. YABU.

It kind of depends where OP is staying. Countries with prolonged hot weather and "drought" every summer tend not to have hose pipe bans and residents of the country plant accordingly with drought resistant plants. The owner of the accommodation is on site - there is absolutely no excuse to leave these dead plants in their planters for OP to look at every day of her expensive holiday.

mylifeisexams · 26/07/2026 19:22

I think that’s shabby OP and I would ask for it to be sorted, for all the reasons you’ve mentioned. If you’d paid for a nice hotel with outside areas you’d expect them to be well maintained and pleasant to look at.

ikeeprootingforyou · 26/07/2026 19:15

We’re in a heatwave with a drought on. I suspect that they’re just saving water. YABU.

Anyahyacinth · 26/07/2026 19:14

Ilovemyfam · 26/07/2026 08:56

I would ask if there is anywhere that the pots could be moved to. I would use the word you said “dreary” - and say something like “it makes us feel depressed when we sit out”. Don’t wait until you have left to review it. Give the owner chance to sort it while you are there.

I think this is perfect ...tests their response

Isobel201 · 26/07/2026 19:14

YANBU about the tree branch, but I wouldn't complain about the plants really. There is no need to change them during your stay.

PensionPTake · 26/07/2026 18:59

What do you want to gain from any complaint?

Reasonable to query of the tree branch is safe, complaining about the plants, what's your ideal resolution?

Alex4646 · 26/07/2026 18:55

I would contact the owner immediately and ask for a private meeting to discuss this. You can use tact and humour, but it is totally unacceptable. The outside space is critical to the enjoyment of this holiday. You are absolutely not being unreasonable!

Putneydad7 · 26/07/2026 18:41

As a rental property owner myself, I’d really rather you raised an issue with me right away and then it can be fixed. Please don’t ignore, stew on it and then leave a crappy review. Reviews are so important and negative reviews can be really hard to shake off.
So report it, see if he/she does anything to make you happy. If they brush you off, then feel free to give them both review barrels.

ScottBakula · 26/07/2026 09:54

I would contact them today and ask the tree branch to be cut down .

The planters and boxes are probably looking worse for wear due to the prolonged hot dry weatherproof we ĥave been having ( presuming your in Europe)
And while I can understand its not what you'd want I wouldn't complain but I'd point it out and ask if she would like you to water then to see if they come back to life.

It may well be that the previous renters were asked to water them but didnt.

I certainly would not offer to do any replanting of any sort that leads to far to many issues like what to plant , where , who pays for seeds / bulbs / soil

Ineffable23 · 26/07/2026 09:41

I think it's very reasonable to expect that for that price. I wouldn't want to be responsible for pots in a holiday house so I would e.g. plant lavender, rosemary, bay, olive trees i.e. things that can go in the ground and that are very stiff tolerant. If they don't want to do that they should water the plants and maintain the garden. The garden is often a big feature of holiday homes abroad where almost all ones time may be spent outside.

Original poster
Ouiouimerci · 26/07/2026 09:39

Good advice thank you, I can be a bit flippant with language so will stick to no hyperbole! Unfortunately the planters form the safety fence of the terrace to a steep drop below so need to stay. Edit: reply is for @Ilovemyfam @Nopayrise

OP posts:
Original poster
Ouiouimerci · 26/07/2026 09:38

OwlCalledSage · 26/07/2026 08:50

I’d probably leave it as a feedback comment. I’d expect the outside area to be maintained as much as the inside. If the owner can’t be bothered to look after the plants, they shouldn’t have any.

Yes agree would do this for a short stay, but we are here for another two weeks and it’s our summer holiday so it will annoy me every evening 😣 we are also having friends join us halfway through who have travelled here on our recommendation so I feel bad that it’s not maintained. Would prefer it sorted! And am happy to get my hands dirty and help out if she’s busy!

OP posts:
Nopayrise · 26/07/2026 09:02

Saying the plant pots make you depressed as PP suggested would be ridiculous. Think you can ask about the tree but the rest is for a review

Ilovemyfam · 26/07/2026 08:56

I would ask if there is anywhere that the pots could be moved to. I would use the word you said “dreary” - and say something like “it makes us feel depressed when we sit out”. Don’t wait until you have left to review it. Give the owner chance to sort it while you are there.

LindorDoubleChoc · 26/07/2026 08:53

No, it's not high maintenance at all for the price you are paying. As you say, no plants would be better than dead plants. It's shabby and not nice to look at.

OwlCalledSage · 26/07/2026 08:50

I’d probably leave it as a feedback comment. I’d expect the outside area to be maintained as much as the inside. If the owner can’t be bothered to look after the plants, they shouldn’t have any.