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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To think my landlord is taking the piss?

55 replies

ThatIsNachoCheese · 05/08/2017 19:14

We came home from holiday today to a letter from the letting agent saying that the landlord had contacted them and asked them to write to us to make sure we are maintaining the garden well.

So they are now asking us to send a photo of our garden to show the landlord.

I'm actually really angry about this, we have lived here for less than 2 months, and I feel that it's really intrusive. We will likely do it, but isn't it really cheeky for them to ask us to do this? I've rented for 21 years and this is a new one on me!

OP posts:
Original poster
ThatIsNachoCheese · 05/08/2017 20:25

Horse, you've got it spot on there, it's their parents house I think and they seem to think they're doing me a huge favour. It a ridiculously overpriced but we needed somewhere quickly.
Luckily we are only here short term (fingers crossed) so I don't really care about pissing them off.

We may take loads of photos and take them in on a CD so they have to go through the teeny garden in great detail.

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ChilliBanana · 05/08/2017 20:26

We had a snotty letter from the agents after one inspection 'reminding' us that garden upkeep was part of the contract.
I sent them a detailed letter listing all the work I'd done ad nauseum, then said I was aware it wasn't our house and if the landlord wanted to give us specific instructions on how they would like the garden I'd be happy to oblige. I also pointed out it was mainly dirt when we arrived and politely enquired whether they would like us to return it to that state.

Never heard anything about the garden again. 😉

Original poster
ThatIsNachoCheese · 05/08/2017 20:27

I am Shock at landlords letting themselves in! I had a nightmare one once who tried to give me a months notice instead of two, when i pointed this out she told me she was going to drag me out by my hair.

She ended up stalking my house and threatening to take all my stuff out when i was at work, I had to ask an ex to house sit.

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OnlyRose · 05/08/2017 20:29

I read your OP as maintaining the garden wall and wondered how on earth you were meant to do that and how they would notice the difference in a photo... ConfusedGrin
Maybe no more wine for me...

winobaglady · 05/08/2017 20:30

What would you do if you didn't have a camera?
Perhaps the estate agents could lend you one? Wink Then, they could also show you where, in your rental agreement, it says you will provided photos of the garden etc.
I say don't do it, you will be setting yourself up for requests of the exterior, inside rooms etc etc. Basically, they should check themselves.
Although I've just thought, maybe you could get someone to pose in the garden pics? Naked shots, with garden implements covering their sensitivities?
Good Luck.

paxillin · 05/08/2017 20:30

Borrow a couple of large dogs. Empty the recycling bin in the garden and add a couple of full bin bags, plus rusty bike if you can find one. Sit out there in a stained bathrobe, clutching a can of Stella for the photo, bonus points for fag dangling from corner of your mouth. Ensure the dogs are in the picture.

letsfeelgoodplease · 05/08/2017 20:35

Hehe, some of these responses really made I larf! OP I second the PPs that said take real close up of blades of grass and ruler, and get some naked bods with garden implements covering their tackle hehehehe chuckle. Thank you.

user1471443504 · 05/08/2017 20:41

Take loads of close up of the grass and tell them to get the full effect of the lawn they need to piece them altogether like a nice jigsaw 😁 you could put a message on the lawn that they can only read if they complete the jigsaw 😉

Lucysky2017 · 05/08/2017 20:44

i think that's dreadful. My son lets out his house and before he let it we mowed the grass, left the plug in mower and cleared some rubbish from the tiny front bit too and all rubbish at the back - in fact he and I hired the biggest van I have ever driven and cleared every bit of junk from the back garden - it was looking so much better than whe he bought it. However we would not dream of interfering with his tenants. If they haven't mowed the grass so what? My son can mow it when they leave. It's not a big deal.

i can understand the principle - that you don't want it going to rack and ruin, abandoned sofas in the front garden weeds waist high but it's a bit pushy to ask for information on it.

Slimthistime · 05/08/2017 21:01

What's in the contract? They can't be expecting much more than basic maintenance?

Original poster
ThatIsNachoCheese · 05/08/2017 23:13

The contract says we need to:
Keep the garden and grounds properly cultivated according to season and free from weeds, in a neat and tidy condition with the lawns regularly mown and edged, and shrubs and trees pruned but not alter the character or layout of the garden or grounds.
Fucking hell, they really love this garden...it's really not all that.

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GingerAndPrickles · 05/08/2017 23:20

Creme I properly snorted white wine through my nose then. Grin

Slimthistime · 06/08/2017 09:39

wow, I think that's excessive. I know people with gardens in rented and they haven't been asked to do anything other than mow the law or allow access for the work.

do you even own an edging thingy and strimmer etc? I suppose as you agreed you will need to do it but regular photos is taking the piss.

specialsubject · 06/08/2017 09:52

Send back a link to the government how to rent guide and ignore.

You can't make tenants look after the garden even if is in the contract. If that bothered, supply a gardener.

And no such thing as an accidental landlord. Either someone who will be back in a while and will return to the house, or someone in negative equity.

BishopBrennansArse · 06/08/2017 10:06

I think if tested that would be a vexatious clause.

Original poster
ThatIsNachoCheese · 06/08/2017 10:12

I think it's excessive too...i was so busy checking the important things in the agreement that i totally missed it.
I don't think I will be sending a photo. I think I am going to call the agent tomorrow and ask if it's in my contract to send photos, and if they think that it's a reasonable request. Because I don't.
I am paying a fuck load of money to live here, I'd quite like to be left the fuck alone until the inspection!

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Original poster
ThatIsNachoCheese · 06/08/2017 10:13

We own a strimmer i think, but gardening really isn't my thing. I make my poor DH do it.
He's agreed to some naked lawn pictures if the need arises!

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specialsubject · 06/08/2017 11:00

Vexatious clause is quite a good way of putting it. Can't be enforced.

Notreallyarsed · 06/08/2017 11:03

"Grounds" sounds very grand doesn't it?

Original poster
ThatIsNachoCheese · 06/08/2017 11:12

Doesn't it just notreally. I haven't seen any Grounds, just a tiny front garden with a couple of potted plants and a little back garden with the world's smallest lawn.
Maybe they forgot to show me the grounds?
Do you think the clause would be unenforceable then? I mean, of course we will keep it mowed and tidy, but we are both working full time (necessary to pay the rent...) and don't really want to feel like we have to spend our spare time combing the lawn and singing to the plants.

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Notreallyarsed · 06/08/2017 11:15

It conjures up pictures of a garden like the one Bishop posted. Delusions of grandeur on the part of your LL perhaps? Surely keeping it tidy and maintained is more than enough???

insancerre · 06/08/2017 11:21

Just ignore the request
They can't make you send them a photo

Slimthistime · 06/08/2017 11:50

Grounds?

is your landlord Richard de Vere? Grin

check if it's "vexatious" - it certainly sounds it. I'd ignore in the meantime.

bunningsbunny · 06/08/2017 12:05

Remember that if you want to be pedantic about it, regularly does not equal frequently.

So you can still fulfill the terms of the lease by mowing every 3 months (maybe mark it on the calendar and prove it is regular!) rather than every week...

Original poster
ThatIsNachoCheese · 06/08/2017 12:11

I kind of do want to be pedantic about it. I don't want them to think that they can treat me like this, I'm not a house sitter or a fucking gardener.
I will call the agent tomorrow and explain I don't think it's a reasonable request, if they like then they can do an inspection.
I would post a photo of the garden but I better not!

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