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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Not paying for garden work

808 replies

gardendramas5 · 16/05/2025 09:24

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?

OP posts:
Arran2024 · 17/05/2025 17:53

You have no responsibility to pay him but to avoid any hassle, I would pay up. You never know who you are dealing with and some people will exact their revenge - which could be much costlier in the long run. You just never know.

MintChocCat · 17/05/2025 18:00

Btb · 17/05/2025 17:43

Your being cruel to him he’s done work you could at least pay half unless you’re happy being selfish to the poor guy

Show quote history

But it’s not the OP’s fault, and she did not agree to the work, that doesn’t make the OP selfish. If anyone is being selfish, it’s the previous owner’s in them expecting OP to contribute to anything at all considering they didn’t agree to a gardener.

SmoothRoads · 17/05/2025 18:05

DinoLil · 16/05/2025 09:33

I think you ABU. If this happened to me, I'd be happy to pay half and ask the guy when he was free to come again! But, I hate gardening, so...

The gardener shouldn't have to be put in an awkward position. It's fair that the previous owners pay half although you are benefiting.

That's easy to say, as it didn't happen to you.

The previous owners are at fault. They should have canceled the contract. Work was carried out on their standing orders, therefore they should pay. It's not fair for OP to pay half for work she did not agree to and did not want done.

Image if a painter showed up to your house and started painting it, but they actually had the wrong house. Should you pay for half the paint job? Of course not. You never asked nor wanted that work to be done.

Leedsfan247 · 17/05/2025 18:06

You’ve had the benefit of the service for 50% of the cost - why should the service provider be out of pocket, pay up and be decent about it

SmoothRoads · 17/05/2025 18:11

I am just thinking that this could also be a scam. That there never was a contract and the gardener is trying to get the job b forcing OP into it. I mean it's pretty weird to just show up six months after having been last to the property. Doesn't gardening start a lot earlier in the year?

Something smells off about this.

NoTouch · 17/05/2025 18:13

Leedsfan247 · 17/05/2025 18:06

You’ve had the benefit of the service for 50% of the cost - why should the service provider be out of pocket, pay up and be decent about it

The OP hasn't had the benefit of a service they either asked for or wanted. It like me running up to your car at the traffic lights, washing your windscreen and then demanding £5 for it. You benefited from a clean windscreen, would you pay me?

Agree the service provider should not be out of pocket, the person who contracted him to provide the service (the previous house owner) needs to pay him.

WalmartWitney · 17/05/2025 18:14

It's not the gardener's fault, however, it's not hers either.

SwingTheMonkey · 17/05/2025 18:15

Leedsfan247 · 17/05/2025 18:06

You’ve had the benefit of the service for 50% of the cost - why should the service provider be out of pocket, pay up and be decent about it

He doesn’t need to be. The people who arranged the work should pay 100% of the invoice. If they won’t, gardener can take them to the small claims court so he’s not out of pocket.

B1anche · 17/05/2025 18:16

Leedsfan247 · 17/05/2025 18:06

You’ve had the benefit of the service for 50% of the cost - why should the service provider be out of pocket, pay up and be decent about it

That is not right and is such a ridiculous argument. She did not want her garden done, so she has received no benefit whatsoever.

Shall I come and wash your car one morning before you've got up, and then knock in your door and demand payment because you've had the benefit of it?

Towwanthustice · 17/05/2025 18:21

The previous owners should pay and if he took it to a small claims court he would win.
However ( depending on the cost) I'd prob pay half as he's out of pocket now .

SALaw · 17/05/2025 18:23

Leedsfan247 · 17/05/2025 18:06

You’ve had the benefit of the service for 50% of the cost - why should the service provider be out of pocket, pay up and be decent about it

Absolute nonsense

LalaPaloosa2024 · 17/05/2025 18:25

It’s strange that he didn’t invoice the same people directly. Why turn up and try and invoice you?

Dogsbreath7 · 17/05/2025 18:32

How did he get access to your rear garden - does he have a key?

Cariadm · 17/05/2025 18:49

gardendramas5 · 16/05/2025 09:24

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?

Well the bill is of course the previous owners responsibility as you did not request the work to be done and were completely ignorant of the fact that it was being done in your absence and whether or not you 'benefitted' from it is totally irrelevant!! 🙄
Not sure if anyone else has mentioned this but technically, the gardener was trespassing on your property as he was not there at your invitation? This should be conveyed to the previous owners along with the fact that they should be conversing with you directly over this and not letting the gardener speak for them... they're obviously trying to avoid a confrontation with you!! 😱
They know all too well that they're wholly responsible for the bill and they're using the gardener to play on your 'goodwill' to manipulate you into paying 'half' but it is without question their bill to pay in it's entirety, end of!! 😡

savethatkitty · 17/05/2025 18:52

This happened to me, but with the pool guy. Came home, to see evidence someone had been in my backyard. Turns out previously owners forgot to cancel pool guy. It was on them...

MrsPositivity1 · 17/05/2025 19:01

How much was the bill?

SALaw · 17/05/2025 19:03

Dogsbreath7 · 17/05/2025 18:32

How did he get access to your rear garden - does he have a key?

You think you need a key to access people’s back gardens?

TheNightingalesStarling · 17/05/2025 19:04

SALaw · 17/05/2025 19:03

You think you need a key to access people’s back gardens?

Show quote history

Having a lock on a gate is normal security.

catlover123456789 · 17/05/2025 19:06

I'd be livid if someone cut my lawn, its full of wildflowers.
And of course you shouldn't have to pay!

Catchewer · 17/05/2025 19:06

BigHeadBertha · 16/05/2025 17:51

No, the idea of paying someone who likely doesn't make much for manual labor, which you benefitted from, who wasn't at fault either, and who might well be your neighbor, is actually quite far from "batshit" or "madness." Calm down and quit with the smart mouth. It's not appealing, you know.

Edited
Show quote history

But he WAS at fault. As I and many others have said, he should have contacted the previous owners to see if they still wanted his services after a 5 month break. It really is that simple. HE must take ownership of his own stupidity.

However, a pp has made a very good point - this could be a scam, and nothing actually to do with the previous owner/gardener/contract.

godmum56 · 17/05/2025 19:13

LalaPaloosa2024 · 17/05/2025 18:25

It’s strange that he didn’t invoice the same people directly. Why turn up and try and invoice you?

because he contacted the old owners who offered to pay him half and get the other half off the OP and foolishly he said yes

Laura95167 · 17/05/2025 19:14

I wouldn't pay. He's done the work based on a contract with someone else and specifics they set.

You didn't ask for it to be done and might not even like the way he's done it. It's unreasonable to say you benefit from it when it wasn't what you asked for

Id only pay half if I wanted to use the gardener in future

godmum56 · 17/05/2025 19:14

SALaw · 17/05/2025 19:03

You think you need a key to access people’s back gardens?

Show quote history

why not?

littlecats · 17/05/2025 19:21

Espressosummer · 16/05/2025 09:43

The gardener doesn't need to lose out. He just needs to take previous owners to small claims court.

Show quote history

Absolutely! OP didn’t even know it was happening so had no chance to agree to the work or refuse it. The previous owners are 100% liable and he should take them to SCC to get his money if they don’t pay.

SALaw · 17/05/2025 19:25

@TheNightingalesStarlingi don’t know a single person that has a key lockable gate to their back garden

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