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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:
daisymade · 01/02/2023 09:58

AlisonDonut · 01/02/2023 08:54

No, it doesn't mention boundary hedges.

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“We've been renting a property that has front and back gardens bordered by high hedges”

They are quite clearly from the OP a feature of the garden, of which they are responsible.

AlisonDonut · 01/02/2023 10:19

daisymade · 01/02/2023 09:58

“We've been renting a property that has front and back gardens bordered by high hedges”

They are quite clearly from the OP a feature of the garden, of which they are responsible.

Show quote history

Yeah I can read. That's why I can see that the actual agreement doesn't include the high boundary hedges.

If the OP cannot now afford to pay for this tried it herself and falls and is injured, and loses her job, who is paying her rent?

She needs to push back on this and not do it.

billy1966 · 01/02/2023 10:26

daisymade · 01/02/2023 08:40

It says in the OPs tenancy agreement that it’s her responsibility so in this case, you’re wrong. I’m a landlord too, my contracts require tenants to maintain certain aspects of our properties - it depends what’s in the tenancy agreement. I’m actually a solicitor specialising in rural property litigation, there is no grey area here, it’s written in the tenancy agreement.

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Do you have insurance against a tenant injurying themselves whilst maintaining your property and making a claim against you?

Allthegoodnamesarechosen · 01/02/2023 10:40

Greatly · 31/01/2023 20:21

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

Leylandii can reach ten Feet in four years. Then it keeps on growing…..

Berklilly · 01/02/2023 10:55

daisymade · 01/02/2023 09:58

“We've been renting a property that has front and back gardens bordered by high hedges”

They are quite clearly from the OP a feature of the garden, of which they are responsible.

Show quote history

But the tenancy agreement doesn't actually mention that hedges maintenance are the responsibility of the tenant...
The clause is absolutely not clear (blanket clauses never are) and OP is right to question the request of the landlord, as it is commonly accepted that high trees and hedges are landlords' responsibility.

ChilliBandit · 01/02/2023 11:50

billy1966 · 31/01/2023 23:32

Keeping windows clean and cutting grass is not the same cutting 10ft hedges and requiring ladders, a platform and hedge cutting equipment.

🙄

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This.

I would expect tenants to change lightbulbs, clean windows, mow lawns, weed the garden, keep property clean and well ventilated. I would not expect a tenant to have to buy specialist equipment and risk their safety or pay a specialist to trim 10ft high hedges/trees.

People on here have a really low opinion of renters. As for if you piss him off he will evict you, likely correct, but makes me laugh when landlords complain tenants have too many rights.

Greatly · 01/02/2023 11:55

ChilliBandit · 01/02/2023 11:50

This.

I would expect tenants to change lightbulbs, clean windows, mow lawns, weed the garden, keep property clean and well ventilated. I would not expect a tenant to have to buy specialist equipment and risk their safety or pay a specialist to trim 10ft high hedges/trees.

People on here have a really low opinion of renters. As for if you piss him off he will evict you, likely correct, but makes me laugh when landlords complain tenants have too many rights.

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They don't have to don't themselves, but if they took pride in their garden and wanted it to be cared for, they'd pay for a contractor. Clearly they don't care though.

Greatly · 01/02/2023 11:56

*do it themselves

CombatBarbie · 01/02/2023 11:56

I would question it, I've always known anything on the ground as tenants. Anything boundary or above is landlord. Especially if it's requiring specialist equipment. I would refuse to do it on H&S grounds.

Greatly · 01/02/2023 11:57

Do tenants automatically revert to a child like state? Just look after your bloody hedge, it's not rocket science!

CombatBarbie · 01/02/2023 11:58

www.cia-landlords.co.uk/advice/are-landlords-responsible-for-garden-maintenance/

Cite the landlords act.....

To think we shouldn't have to trim the hedges
ChilliBandit · 01/02/2023 11:59

@Greatly - it is the boundary of the landlord’s asset, they need to maintain it. If they cared about their asset they would.

It’s nothing to do with tenants being proud of their garden. How far you going to stretch that? The tenants should pay for a new bathroom, if they were proud of their house they would after all.

Greatly · 01/02/2023 12:01

ChilliBandit · 01/02/2023 11:59

@Greatly - it is the boundary of the landlord’s asset, they need to maintain it. If they cared about their asset they would.

It’s nothing to do with tenants being proud of their garden. How far you going to stretch that? The tenants should pay for a new bathroom, if they were proud of their house they would after all.

No, it woud be the same as never cleaning the bathroom, as gardens are living things and need maintenance.

CombatBarbie · 01/02/2023 12:03

Greatly · 01/02/2023 11:57

Do tenants automatically revert to a child like state? Just look after your bloody hedge, it's not rocket science!

Erm when it's above head height I would not. If he wants 10ft hedges maintained he pays. Or lop them down to a manageable height.

Greatly · 01/02/2023 12:06

CombatBarbie · 01/02/2023 12:03

Erm when it's above head height I would not. If he wants 10ft hedges maintained he pays. Or lop them down to a manageable height.

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Well he expects the tenants to pay, so I guess it's up to him/her.

ChilliBandit · 01/02/2023 12:06

Greatly · 01/02/2023 12:01

No, it woud be the same as never cleaning the bathroom, as gardens are living things and need maintenance.

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Last time I checked I didn’t need specialist equipment to clean a bathroom or have to pay someone hundreds of pounds to do it.

CombatBarbie · 01/02/2023 12:07

Greatly · 01/02/2023 12:06

Well he expects the tenants to pay, so I guess it's up to him/her.

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And under the landlords act which I provided a screenshot for, it's a LL responsibility.

lieselotte · 01/02/2023 12:09

They don't have to don't themselves, but if they took pride in their garden and wanted it to be cared for, they'd pay for a contractor. Clearly they don't care though

It's not their garden. The LL could decide to sell or move in themselves at any time and they'd have to move.

The LL gets rent, and anything other than routine maintenance should be paid for by the LL. As I said above, routine trimming of a low fence or bush is for the tenant to do (in the example I gave it allows easier access to our drive for two cars to park side by side). But a main boundary hedge or looking after a tree is down to the LL in my view.

The LL gets rent, so they pay for this sort of thing. It's amazing how many LLs want to pocket the rent AND get the tenant to do all the work.

Greatly · 01/02/2023 12:11

CombatBarbie · 01/02/2023 12:07

And under the landlords act which I provided a screenshot for, it's a LL responsibility.

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That screenshot sounded pretty vague tbh. Hopefully they can come to an agreement.

CombatBarbie · 01/02/2023 12:20

Greatly · 01/02/2023 12:11

That screenshot sounded pretty vague tbh. Hopefully they can come to an agreement.

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landlords have a legal responsibility to keep the structure of the property in good repair. In other words, landlords are only responsible for maintaining areas of the garden that tenants cannot reasonably maintain, such as guttering and repairing fences. More than that, the landlord has a responsibility to take action if the tenant reports a maintenance issue that requires professional attention.

That's not vague... Reasonably maintain..... 10ft hedges cannot be reasonably maintained without specialist equipment.

Greatly · 01/02/2023 12:43

Well I'd say grown adults should be able to clear gutters and mend fences, amazed that some can't 🤷‍♀️

ChilliBandit · 01/02/2023 12:53

@Greatly - are you a landlord? I really hope not.

Greatly · 01/02/2023 12:56

ChilliBandit · 01/02/2023 12:53

@Greatly - are you a landlord? I really hope not.

No, thank god. It would drive me mad.

ChilliBandit · 01/02/2023 12:58

@Greatly - Good, I think it would drive tenants mad too.

CombatBarbie · 01/02/2023 13:13

Greatly · 01/02/2023 12:43

Well I'd say grown adults should be able to clear gutters and mend fences, amazed that some can't 🤷‍♀️

It's not that some can't.... They don't have too. Own house yes.... Paying someone else's mortgage no. These are investment properties for LL so the tenant should not be paying for the essential upkeep for someone else's investments. That's what the income profit is for.

Glad to hear your not a landlord though!