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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:
TheHerboriste · 18/05/2025 01:31

Pomonafluff · 18/05/2025 01:26

Yes, you are correct , she shouldn't have to pay for it, but she should pay for it, or half of it. The gardening wasn't random, that would be weird, it was booked. It sounds as though the gardener was booked by the previous owner, indefinitely until informed otherwise. It's the old owners mistake, who are clearly expecting that the new owner will acknowledge their benefit yet also their unexpected cost and so offered to pay half. The new owner is unlikely to get a vast bill in any case and out of civility should pay half, not out of legal observation. If I saw somebody fall over in the street, I'd help them and possibly offer to buy them some refreshments if they were shaken, even if it would make me late and I didn't even ask them to fall over.

Show quote history

This is bonkers.

The gardener didn’t fall over in the street. He failed to confirm that another season of work was desired.

SouthLondonMum22 · 18/05/2025 01:49

Pomonafluff · 18/05/2025 01:26

Yes, you are correct , she shouldn't have to pay for it, but she should pay for it, or half of it. The gardening wasn't random, that would be weird, it was booked. It sounds as though the gardener was booked by the previous owner, indefinitely until informed otherwise. It's the old owners mistake, who are clearly expecting that the new owner will acknowledge their benefit yet also their unexpected cost and so offered to pay half. The new owner is unlikely to get a vast bill in any case and out of civility should pay half, not out of legal observation. If I saw somebody fall over in the street, I'd help them and possibly offer to buy them some refreshments if they were shaken, even if it would make me late and I didn't even ask them to fall over.

Show quote history

Helping someone when they have fallen in the street isn't the same thing at all.

It wasn't booked by OP and again, the gardener also needs to take some responsibility by double checking before starting since 5 months had passed. The old owners need to pay for all of it and not expect OP to pay for their mistake.

Kelly1969 · 18/05/2025 01:57

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?

Hmm 🤔 let me think…..NO!
whilst I sympathize with the gardener, he is owed the full cost from previous owners!

Kelly1969 · 18/05/2025 01:59

TheHerboriste · 18/05/2025 01:31

This is bonkers.

The gardener didn’t fall over in the street. He failed to confirm that another season of work was desired.

Show quote history

Totally agree, what a random comparison!

Kelly1969 · 18/05/2025 02:00

Serpentstooth · 16/05/2025 09:46

Pay him! You have the benefit of his work and are getting it half price. Gardeners are hard to find. Be a decent person.

You’re joking right?

Kelly1969 · 18/05/2025 02:07

Pomonafluff · 17/05/2025 23:59

I think the old owners made a mistake, and the Gardener was acting in good faith. I have no idea what the law states, but as you've benefited from the gardeners work, ethically, you ought to pay. However you've only been asked to pay half. It sounds as though the old owners have been mature and reasonable about it, perhaps you could follow suit.

Show quote history

Ethically the old owner should pay as it’s 100% their fault and responsibility!
I somewhat doubt the gardener did the work in good faith if he’s been doing the garden for 2 years as he would have noticed the garden wouldn’t have been as overgrown as usual.

Kelly1969 · 18/05/2025 02:11

Is there a lot of gardeners on here?
Seems to be a lot of people saying OP should be paying for a service they didn’t ask for.

Kelly1969 · 18/05/2025 02:14

AthWat · 16/05/2025 22:15

The gardener needs to stop hassling the OP and demand the money the previous owners owe him. If you are annoyed with them why would you pay their bill?

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Totally agree, it was cheeky to tell him to ask for any payment from new owners at all!
people saying old owners are being reasonable paying half, hmm 🤔 no they are liable for whole bill!

TheHerboriste · 18/05/2025 02:17

Kelly1969 · 18/05/2025 02:07

Ethically the old owner should pay as it’s 100% their fault and responsibility!
I somewhat doubt the gardener did the work in good faith if he’s been doing the garden for 2 years as he would have noticed the garden wouldn’t have been as overgrown as usual.

Show quote history

And that the house was occupied.

TalkToTheHand123 · 18/05/2025 05:38

I wish my garden only needed doing every 5 months.

GiveDogBone · 18/05/2025 06:07

YABU. Would it kill you to pay half? Yes it was a mistake, but you have benefitted as it’s saved you time and effort even if you were going to do it yourself. Think of it as a half price gardening service.

Booboobagins · 18/05/2025 06:14

The previous owners contracted with him. They therefore owe him. But I would pay half as a gesture of good will assuming he did a good job and his help was needed. I certainly wouldnt create probs with a local supplier if I'd moved in to a new area.

Gherkinslice · 18/05/2025 06:18

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?

Hmm...what comes next though, could it be window cleaners while you're at out/at work who also then want paying, when you've made your own arrangements or done them yourself? Where might this end? I'm inclined to agree with others, it's not your contract with him, it's theirs. In a court of law this would be thrown straight back at them. They're taking the proverbial! Also, why didn't the gardener notice you'd cut the lawn and done gardening recently, and maybe noticed for sale sign had come down?

Tinydancer1234 · 18/05/2025 07:04

The gardener knows you haven’t got a contract with him personally so he is being just as cheeky as the last owners. Don’t fall for it. Just say I’d love to help you but it’s got nothing to do with me. I hope your previous clients pay you for not cancelling and I’m sorry they wasted your working hours. You have zero obligation to pay.

RecklessGoddess · 18/05/2025 07:06

Definitely NOT being unreasonable, you have personally been tending your garden and did not ask for it to be done for you. Surely the gardener could see that it was being looked after, it's not going to become wild while you're on a family visit. That aside, it's down to the previous owner, who took a contract out with the gardener, to cancel it and pay the full bill. You're not liable for the cost at all, and definitely should NOT be made to feel like you're being unreasonable to not pay it!

Another2Cats · 18/05/2025 07:28

SALaw · 17/05/2025 22:40

@Another2Catshow does that work with a very open access to the rear? My parents access to the rear is the width of a wide drive. There literally wouldn’t be a place to put a gate. That’s not an uncommon set up

What I typically see in that sort of situation is a fence from the house to the boundary (or sometimes a hedge) with a door in the fence.

Noodles1234 · 18/05/2025 07:37

you're not under any obligation to pay anything, however as a gesture of goodwill you could offer something, but up to you and your financial situation.

was it a very good job? Has it saved you a lot of time?

Jumpers4goalposts · 18/05/2025 07:40

I think YANBU to not pay however I think paying would be a gesture of goodwill. It’s not the gardeners fault you are benefitting from his work and it’s just one of those things that happens. If I could afford it I would thank him for the work and give him the 50% it’s the nice and decent thing to do. What you plan to do in the future is irrelevant really.

SwingTheMonkey · 18/05/2025 08:00

Why does nobody think the people whose fault this is should be decent and pay for their mistake? Why is it that op should be decent, but not them?

Nicewoman · 18/05/2025 08:03

You have big gardens, who else did you think was cutting YOUR garden, the council? You’ve received a benefit, otherwise now you’d have a jungle to deal with. Pay your half.

Thisisgoingtobefun · 18/05/2025 08:05

gardendramas5 · 16/05/2025 10:40

Thanks for all your replies, it seems like a mixed bag of opinions.

I don’t want to pay because I never asked for this work to be done, didn’t have an agreement with the gardener and I think it’s the sellers fault for not telling him. I spent quite a lot of money on a new lawn mower / gardening tools in March which I have already used and intend to use for the foreseeable. I already know a gardener who worked for me previously at my old house. If in the future I decide I don’t want to do the work myself, it’s him that I will use but for now I’d prefer to do it myself and save money.

Be a nice person and pay half. 🙄

PorkyMcChubbington · 18/05/2025 08:08

Thisisgoingtobefun · 18/05/2025 08:05

Be a nice person and pay half. 🙄

Show quote history

Be a nice person and don't spend other people's money. Or pay it yourself, if you're that nice.

SwingTheMonkey · 18/05/2025 08:08

Nicewoman · 18/05/2025 08:03

You have big gardens, who else did you think was cutting YOUR garden, the council? You’ve received a benefit, otherwise now you’d have a jungle to deal with. Pay your half.

I think you’re confused. Op has been looking after her own garden since she moved in, 5 months ago. The gardener came once, while she was away for a week.

deeahgwitch · 18/05/2025 08:17

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.

Your post resonated with me - the bit about when was he free to come again - at the moment I’m keeping my eye out for someone to help tidy up our rather large garden’s flower beds and hedges. DH and dcs have no interest. It would be a battle 🙄

Philandbill · 18/05/2025 08:20

RecklessGoddess · 18/05/2025 07:06

Definitely NOT being unreasonable, you have personally been tending your garden and did not ask for it to be done for you. Surely the gardener could see that it was being looked after, it's not going to become wild while you're on a family visit. That aside, it's down to the previous owner, who took a contract out with the gardener, to cancel it and pay the full bill. You're not liable for the cost at all, and definitely should NOT be made to feel like you're being unreasonable to not pay it!

Absolutely this. And what if the gardener had done something the OP didn't want. It's the fault of the previous owners, they have broken a contract so they should pay.