Not paying for garden work

[gardendramas5]

I’m pretty sure I’m not being unreasonable but I just want to see what other people think.

I purchased my house December last year. It was empty for at least 2 years (ex rental)

The previous owners kept the front and back garden tidy whilst it was on the market, no idea if it was them that did the work or if they paid someone. Both gardens are quite large. I started doing all of this myself when I took ownership.

Anyway, I’ve been away for the last week with family and came home on Wednesday to freshly cut grass, weeds pulled etc. I asked my neighbours if they had seen anyone but they were at work. It turns out that the previous owners hired a company to do the work and hadn’t notified them that they’d sold the house last year. I only found this out yesterday as the gardener turned up with the invoice. I explained I wasn’t aware of this arrangement and that he would have to invoice the previous owners for the work (I was polite and apologised for the inconvenience but made it clear I hadn’t asked for this work to be done and wasn’t prepared to pay for it either)

He knocked on again this morning and explained that he’d spoken to them yesterday and that they agreed to pay half (because it was their error) but that I should pay the rest because I’m the one benefiting from the work. I told him no sorry I’m not paying and he needs to take it up with them.

I do feel bad for the gardener, but it’s their fault. I didn't ask for this. They were awkward during the conveyancing process too so this doesn’t surprise me. AIBU?

I'm not arguing! I'm saying - without listing all the individual pieces of work my gardener does for four hours every two weeks all through the autumn and winter - we clearly have very different sorts of gardens.

This is the most insane thread I have ever participated on!

Yes I suppose one has every right to make themselves look silly.

You were wrong to suggest the idea of a gardener not coming during the winter months is odd. Just get over it 😂

What does he do through the winter?

What are you on?!!!!

You were the one to say it was "odd" to have a gardener come in the winter months. And I quote:

Odd. What on earth would a gardener do during the winter months when nothing is growing? I’ve had gardeners for many years and all have had a winter hiatus. I assumed they had alternative employment for those months.

Very let them eat cake.

Yes I suppose one has every right to make themselves look silly.

You said it.

How much are we talking for half the bill?

I would pay half (I am an avid gardener and like to do my own so would be annoyed) but it's not the gardeners fault.

No - she couldn't afford it, and there was nothing wrong with the existing roof!

It is the gardeners fault though .. who comes to work after being off for 5 months or more, and doesn’t check if their clients still need their services??

This can't possibly be the first time the gardeners have come since December, though. Most gardeners resume work to prepare for spring around Feb/March, so whats been going on since then? also @op said the grass was freshly cut AND weeded so she can't be doing that much of a stellar job! c'mon @op just pay him half and stop the service.

If I could afford it, I would probably pay half as a gesture of Goodwill but make it clear that no more work was to take place without prior arrangement with me. It’s just one of those things.

He's been hired so he’s done the work.

He was hired by the previous owners. The house has been empty for 2 years. He stopped work over the winter. He should check, especially in view of the circumstances, in the spring whether his clients still need him.

He has done the work now and no doubt it looks better so you should pay half. I think you're lucky previous owners have offered half. Poor bugger just wants to be paid.

He wasn't trespassing if he thought his invite was still open.

He’s been hired. If you work do you check that your employer still needs you or do you go to work? The gardener’s employer should have said that the gardener was no longer needed. He’s probably reserved calendar space that he could have filled.

Lucky? It was entirely their fault he did the work which op didn’t want done.

I'd advise him to chase the previous owners via small claims for the rest of the work.

I wonder if he genuinely hadn't realised or, thought he'd lean on you to continue his contract by just doing the job.

Mistakes happen when you move house. You may inevitably forget to notify somebody/cancel everything. They no longer are responsible for the property, so are well within their rights to say hard luck. Is that the right thjng to do? No, so they have compromised with paying half for a service they havent benefitted from. So yes, the OP is lucky.

The gardener is being unreasonable! Immensely cheeky to come a second time in an attempt to chisel you out of money you don't owe. Awkward situation. Well done for standing your ground ✊🏾

The previous owners are the one who contracted him to come in May and forgot to tell him not to. Why do you think they shouldn't pay? If he takes them to court for the whole amount, he will certainly win.

They are not remotely within their rights to say hard luck. The gardener didn't make a contract with the house, he made it with them; whether they are currently responsible for the property is utterly immaterial. Legally they are 100% responsible for the contract with the gardener.

They are absolutely not within their rights 😂

It was an error in not cancelling him. They may have even presumed new owner would keep him on. They were wrong on both counts. However, the work cannot be undone and to suggest pursuing a small claims action is ridiculous. I would enjoy a fresh looking garden and pay half for the gardener's sake. Is this really worth the hassle or would you prefer digging your heels in for the sake of it?

That's where we differ. They no longer have a contract with the gardener.