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?

Ah another voice of reason, and decency. Unfortunately some of us are peeing in the wind. I loved the comment about the gardener being a trespasser. Presumably he should have had the dogs set on him.

Well possibly nothing, but there was an inkling of a little bit of historical annoyance. Apparently the old owners were a bit awkward over the conveyancing. It's still bothering her two years later. So what do you think ? . . . . .

What do you think? You think she has somehow engineered a situation where she's being asked to pay half of a bill the old owners owe because she resents them over the conveyancing?

Whatever you're taking, stop taking it.

Well going to a civil court with such a silly claim would get you a penny in damages and a flea in your ear from the Judge. I have advised clients against such high handed sentiments in the past. Usually what then happens is they are made to pay their own costs, and they're out of pocket due to a bout of self aggrandisement.

Honestly, are you just playing a game where you try to get people to call you stupid so you can report their posts? Is that the whole point of this?

You think if the gardener went to court to get the previous owner to pay money he was contractually owed he'd be laughed at? What are you talking about?

The victim ? Lol modern snow flakes.

Ah decency as a weakness. Come on Vlad, we know it's you.

Bull shit. The claimant would get a penny in damages, and told in the best English what a pathetic twat they were, by the judge.

You really are an obvious troll, but I'll bite. I have nothing better to do at the moment, I've just had a nice dinner and a couple of glasses of wine.

You are quite correct that a person, in most cases, cannot be "sued for trespass" and certainly not in this situation.

"... and damage."

This, however, is a whole other area.

Another poster on this thread mentioned that a gardener she employed dug up all her daffodils and dumped them in the dustbin without her permission.

If you damage somebody else's property then they will (generally speaking) have a claim against you.

ps. You say "The claimant would get a penny in damages". I'm not too sure from this that you are saying that they would get damages or you are perhaps American and using the typical American usage of the word "would" when people in the UK would use the word "wouldn't".

I remember a youtube video on this topic (well, actually "could" and "couldn't") from David Mitchell some time ago:

It may well have been what people ( not just the aristocracy) used in yesteryear, and has been appropriated for use these days as an act of mischief . Tongue in cheek if you like. I'm well aware titled folks may not mean it in all seriousness.

Find something better to do with your time .

You advise people on their chances of winning civil claims in court? In what circumstances?

Having to pay anything for a service you didn’t ask for or want, isn’t a good deal. I’m with the others - you’re trolling.

Not sure why others are suggesting you should pay half for something you didn't ask for at all ... the previous owners had the agreement and are fully responsible.

Your a big baby.

I rest my case.

*You’re
You are = you’re

If you’re going to insult a stranger on then internet then at least get it right.

Me too

And that rant wasn't the slightest bit ignorant, obtuse or dim . There you go the lowestform of wit, especially for you. The thread isn't about your fetish for an au natural garden . What would be dim not to mention pathetic, would be to sue someone over it. That'll cost you money, and you'd get jack out of it, apart from being made to feel like a complete plank by the judge.

Big deal, you spotted a typo. Get over yourself mom .

✌

At least read the OP correctly. The house has been vacant for two years. The OP bought it in December last year.

I wonder why the gardener had not been during the house sale period? Bit strange they turn up now. Unless of course they only used to come a couple of times a year.

Not sure what the reply is in aide of. I did read the OP correctly. What's your point.