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'd feel bad for the bloke too. But I wouldn't pay for a service I hadn't ordered and didn't want. This is perfectly reasonable. If I was a millionaire, I'd pay.

I think it depends on the cost but I think I'd personally pay the half. You've effectively got half price gardening, which you'll enjoy and get the benefit of. Obviously it's an oversight on their part and they should've cancelled them, and the gardener probably should've knocked/checked, but actually you win out of this. Contractually the old owners owe him, but if it's less than £50 for half, I'd just pay and thank him but ask him not to do any more work - you never know when you might need a gardener too.

I'd plan to pay half as I'd benefited and out of goodwill, my wife would say don't pay it's not your contract and I'd be more scared of her so wouldn't pay, and I don't think that would be unreasonable either.

I cannot believe people think you should pay half for a service you did not agree to or need/want. His contract is with the previous owner and he needs to take it up with them. He is in a crap position but it is not of your making. What if he had undertaken work you did not want, such as removing plants etc you wanted untouched?

This is the previous owner's oversight and they are being totally unreasonable not to put this down to experience and admit it was their fault. I imagine they do not have a leg to stand on. Maybe check there are no window cleaners, jetwash companies who will be kno cking on your door for payment in the future!

YABU. You don't care about the gardener either. You've had a bargin. Bet you get paid no matter what.

You were only away for a week so this concept of ‘benefit’ is ridiculous.

Considering the recent weather. I hope he hasn’t damaged your lawns by cutting them too close….. Our gardener is not cutting too low in case we don’t get rain soon.

You owe him nothing, the previous owners owe him the full cost, this is entirely on them.

Nobody on here knows whether the gardener is on the breadline or raking (see what I did there ?) it in.

As this was his first appearance this year he should have checked he was still wanted.

He's a gardener, don't you know - a manual labourer! It's unthinkable that someone who can post here, who can read and write, could have less money than a working class type of person like a gardener! They are practically servants!

After a few weeks experience of this forum it would have amazed me if there wasn't a long queue of people lining up to say the stupidest possible thing anyone could imagine.

Why should she care about the gardener? She didn’t employ him. She didn’t want, nor need his services and owes him nothing. The people who should care about him are the ones who employed him.

Yes, and you've just said it.

Your wit! Staggering!
Comedy and contract law, is there anything you're not an expert in?

The gardener also needs to take some responsibility and check in with people if he hasn't been in months. This is on him too.

He could have said that but they could have paid in full and then it means he's conning the OP.

Totally agree.

He's conning the OP either way; it's nothing to do with her.

You mean aside from her owning the garden for which he's provided consideration? What was that you were saying about stupid comments?

What do you think about OAPs who are forced to pay for work they’ve not agreed to by men who knock on their doors after they’ve done the work? Do you think that they should pay at least something towards the work they’ve had done, even though they didn’t want it and didn’t ask for it?

You're not comparing like for like. You've certainly got a bee in your bonnet on this one.

More comedy! You're amazing.

Go on, explain the difference.

This'll be good.

That’s the pot calling the kettle black, isn’t it?!

Incidentally I'll be sending you a bill for all the work I've done on this thread explaining things to you. I know you didn't ask me to do it, or want me to, or agree to pay, but you're the one whose benefitted from it, even if you don't think you have. Just like the OP!

How is it not like for like? Both have had works carried out on their property they didn’t want, nor ask for and are expected to pay for it. Please tell me how the situations are different.

It's probably because in the case you described nobody had previously agreed a contract to do something else entirely with a man who used to own their fridge.

When is the benefit going to show its face?