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 know, so many people seem to love to argue on here. I don't get it, personally

It’s weird isn’t it, arguing with a stranger over the internet 😳

Fair enough, but you didn't say it was pretty small fry to you.

Apologies if I misconstrued your meaning, but it sounded to me like you were calling it an insignificant sum of money for anybody.

Not engineered, more taken advantage of, possibly even subconscious resentment.
No need to be crass .

Oh there's every need. What are you doing now, trawling through 3 day old posts?

Even though you benefitted, I don't believed you should be expected to pay half. The previous owners have a cheek suggesting that you should. It was their arrangement and they should be responsible for paying all the money to the gardener. I think he should have insisted that they pay as they didn't have the courtesy to cancel the arrangement. I think the fact that it has been put to you that you pay half would be the thing that would annoy me the most. If it were me, I might have considered paying half as a good will gesture but it should be your choice and not the other parties'.

It is definitely legally the responsibility of previous owners. If it was a big company who did the work,I would have no hesitation in refusing to pay. If it was a self employed gardener I would pay half. Not fair on him to lose out.

Wonder what the OP decided to do in the end?