To think we shouldn't have to trim the hedges

[tulippa]

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?

I thought this was a feminist post about ditching the razor..

Can you find a handyman/odd jobber who may do it for cheaper than a gardener? If I were the landlord I would want to pay a professional to maintain hedges etc as established ones can be expensive to replace if your tenant damages them. Also if they are growing close to the house, there's the potential for them to damage the building if they're not maintained properly. It's a cost he should have factored into your rent really and something he should have clarified in the tenancy agreement to protect himself.

How long are you planning on living in the house? If it's just short term, I'd probably just leave the hedges. I can't imagine he has a leg to stand on if he tries to withold your deposit for not cutting the hedges if there's no specific clause in the TA saying it's your responsibilty.

It’s absolutely correct and your landlord next door is very sensible. The landlord is actually very exposed here to getting sued if the tenant did the work themselves and got hurt. And there is nothing in the tenancy agreement telling the tenant they SHOULD NOT attempt the job themselves because it’s a clear health and safety risk.

I kind of hope your irresponsible landlord does get sued for this OP to teach them lesson in stepping up to their legal responsibilities. (Except for that to happen you’d have to chop the hedge yourself and get injured in the process, so actually I hope they don’t get sued. Yes the landlord is an arse, but it’s not worth losing a hand over!)

Are you not in the uk? Maintaining the gardening is a tenants responsibility. Landlords responsibilities are to make a property liveable like the boiler service and checks safety certificates plumbing jobs etc. The things that keep the place to a legal standard in order to rent it out for the purpose of living in it. Your tenancy agreement may include that gardens and lawns are maintained by the tenants. If the landlord left junk in the garden it would be their job to get rid of it ready for their next tenant but cutting hedges isn't normally a landlords responsibility.