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AIBU?

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Original poster

To think we shouldn't have to trim the hedges

204 replies

tulippa · 31/01/2023 14:31

We've been renting a property that has front and back gardens bordered by high hedges with some further tall standalone hedges/shrubs on the lawn.

We have paid twice to get the hedges trimmed during our 18 months in the property. The landlord has not supplied any equipment to cut hedges or ladders which would be needed as they're quite tall and we had to buy our own lawnmower when we moved in. Recently, DH has found advice online which suggests that cutting hedges is not a tenant's responsibility in the same way that mowing the lawn is. The landlord messaged us at the weekend asking us to cut the hedges (they're not actually looking too bad at the moment) saying now would be a good time as they don't have any leaves on.

DH explained the advice he had found, that we did not want to cause any confrontation but it's not our responsibility to do this. It's surely a bit like getting the gutters cleaned or the boiler serviced. Regular maintenance rather than general frequent upkeep. The landlord has replied saying that it is our responsibility and if we don't want to do it ourselves, we should pay someone. So we are at a stalemate. The landlord has form for digging his heels in about certain things.

Does anyone know what we should do? Is there any organisation who can mediate with this sort of thing? Or do we have to fork out for the hedges?

OP posts:
lieselotte · 31/01/2023 16:28

unless it is required to keep the garden in good order

well that is open to interpretation! Surely it depends how fussy you are (and with mowing the lawn, it would be reasonable not to mow all the time to help insects etc).

JumbleSailor · 31/01/2023 16:30

By the time you've faffed about and pissed off your landlord you could have just gone and trimmed them. Way less time and stress involved.

LlynTegid · 31/01/2023 16:31

The extracts of your agreement suggest to my non legal mind it's your responsibility.

Another thing to add to the list for rental reform.

Original poster
tulippa · 31/01/2023 16:40

ladymacbeth · 31/01/2023 15:40

Can you not just do it with a pair of secateurs like normal garden maintenance? Or are they exceptionally tall/hard to reach?

No they will need strong ladders or platforms and an electric/petrol trimmer. None of this equipment has been supplied. I'm not good up ladders and am no expert at hedge cutting.

OP posts:
Uninterestedfamily · 31/01/2023 16:42

How high is this hedge?

Original poster
tulippa · 31/01/2023 16:49

Yeah I agree it's this sort of thing. Like maintaining the gutters and refreshing the outside paintwork. It's not something a tenant would normally do. We have already supplied him lots of evidence but I don't think he'll back down. It took us ages to convince him that the shower was faulty when we moved in. He thought we just couldn't work out how to turn it down.

The advice about contacting the local authority housing department is good - thanks @chesirecat99 .

The house has its good points but it wouldn't be my first choice. I can't face moving again though so will need to weigh up whether this is a battle worth winning.

OP posts:
Original poster
tulippa · 31/01/2023 16:49

Uninterestedfamily · 31/01/2023 16:42

How high is this hedge?

Don't know exactly but it needs a tall ladder/platform.

OP posts:
Yfory · 31/01/2023 16:52

Our previous rental had hedges on both sides of our very long garden. I never expected the landlord to sort them out. It was me living there not him.

Hence where we live now has a tiny little garden that is much easier to manage!

AlisonDonut · 31/01/2023 17:00

As soon as it becomes ladder height then it requires working at heights insurance that is needed and potentially a course that needs to be attended in order to be legal.

I had this at a rented property and asked them if it fell under their insurance, which equipment was I using, and what course were they paying me to attend to meet working at height regulations and they got a contractor in to do it.

Original poster
tulippa · 31/01/2023 17:08

AlisonDonut · 31/01/2023 17:00

As soon as it becomes ladder height then it requires working at heights insurance that is needed and potentially a course that needs to be attended in order to be legal.

I had this at a rented property and asked them if it fell under their insurance, which equipment was I using, and what course were they paying me to attend to meet working at height regulations and they got a contractor in to do it.

We tried going with the safety angle and he just told us to pay someone to do it.

OP posts:
Cherrysoup · 31/01/2023 17:17

My tenants are responsible for maintaining the garden in the same state as the start of the tenancy. I'd say it's your responsibility. Your sta seems to make that quite clear.

Greensleeves · 31/01/2023 17:19

I thought this was going to be a feminist thread about pornified male expectations and minge topiary

as you were guys Blush

Original poster
tulippa · 31/01/2023 17:22

Uninterestedfamily · 31/01/2023 16:42

How high is this hedge?

From six feet (we're happy to do these and have said so) to over 10 feet (don't feel confident at this height and have no equipment).

OP posts:
Greatly · 31/01/2023 20:20

Just cut the hedge or pay for someone to do it. It's a shame the garden didn't have shiplap fencing or whatever you would have preferred, but you took on the rental and the hedge comes with it.

Greatly · 31/01/2023 20:21

A 10 foot hedge?? Is it made of actual trees??

TheDogIsTooEarlyForTea · 31/01/2023 20:25

The compromise might be to reduce the height to one that you can maintain easily?

GoodChat · 31/01/2023 20:26

Greensleeves · 31/01/2023 17:19

I thought this was going to be a feminist thread about pornified male expectations and minge topiary

as you were guys Blush

You've spent too many late Friday nights here

CombatBarbie · 31/01/2023 20:31

It's a boundary, that's a landlord responsibility. What's he going to do if you don't? Evict you?

FlowerArranger · 31/01/2023 20:42

tulippa · 31/01/2023 15:57

This is what the tenancy agreement says about the garden on our responsibilities. It doesn't mention the landlord's.

13.1. To keep the garden in the same condition and style as at the commencement of the Tenancy.
13.2. To keep the borders, paths, and patios, if any, weeded.
13.3. To cut the grass regularly during the growing season.
13.4. To allow any person, who has been given authority by the Landlord or the Agent if applicable, access to
the Property for the purpose of attending to the garden.
13.5. Not to lop, prune, remove or destroy any existing plants, trees or shrubs, unless it is required to keep the
garden in good order without the consent of the Landlord or the Agent which will not be unreasonably
withheld.

This is actually quite clear, although clause 13.5 requires a comma before 'without the consent...'

The overarching clause is 13.1 - "To keep the garden in the same condition and style as at the commencement of the Tenancy."

You only need to seek LL consent if you wish to "lop, prune, remove or destroy any existing plants, trees or shrubs, unless it is required to keep the garden in good order", i.e if you wanted to make fundamental changes to the planting that arent strictly necessary.

Original poster
tulippa · 31/01/2023 20:53

Greatly · 31/01/2023 20:21

A 10 foot hedge?? Is it made of actual trees??

Yes, some of it is. It's a mixture. There's a massive conifer in the middle - it's huge.

OP posts:
MrsMikeDrop · 31/01/2023 20:59

I think you should have thought about this before moving in

Svalberg · 31/01/2023 21:32

When a landlord, I was told that anything that could.be done from the ground was down to the tenant, anything that needed a person to get off the ground was down to me - when the tenant had let a bush get overgrown due to lack of garden maintenance, that bush then became my responsibility as it was then too tall for them to trim.

Chickenly · 31/01/2023 21:36

Regular upkeep of hedges is your responsibility. That means that if the hedges need trimming regularly to keep the property looking neat and in good aesthetic condition then that is up to you. Maintenance and repairs from a functional or ad hoc basis are the responsibility of the landlord, so cutting down a diseased tree for example. If you’ve had to do it twice in your tenancy then it’s almost certainly “regular upkeep” and is up to you.

Sugargliderwombat · 31/01/2023 21:40

Landlords can really be arseholes can't they! Clearly it's his job but will he end up ending your tenancy if you pick this battle? Just say you can't afford it or something? Or he needs to go halves?

FlowerArranger · 31/01/2023 21:45

In your shoes, I'd ask permission from the LL to cut the very high fence down to the same level as the rest, or to 6 feet. You'll may have to pay for this, or your LL may agree to go halves, but it'll make it much more manageable.

This compromise might be worth it to you if you are planning to stay in the property for 2 years or more, and assuming your lease is long. Electric hedge trimmers are quite cheap and easy to use.