Landlord or me

[Nameisntmine]

We live in a rental property (me, DH, DS and DD)
There’s a slab of concrete in our garden which had a beam of wood on the outer edges that’s now gone rotten and has started to just fall part. I asked if we could have the wood either replaced or removed and the landlord said no and to just put the wood in the general waste - which Ive checked on the counsil website and it isn’t even allowed!! They also said that they won’t be removing the concrete (which I didn’t ask them to do, I was only referring to the wood)
we are now going to replace the wood and dispose of the old wood correctly. But I’m not going to be asking permission to replace it as it’s something I feel HAS to be done- the concrete edges are sharp! And I feel it’s unsafe for the children if they were to fall on it etc.
the landlord has previously said we can’t do certain things around the house e.g. paining, putting up curtain poles etc. previously. However I feel like this is probably different?

I just wondered generally if this is even our responsibility as it doesn’t state in our contract regarding the garden.

AIBU to replace it without asking? I’m a bit miffed about this tbh

I’d just saw it up and put it in your bin or take it to the tip? I can’t see a problem replacing it like for like.

I'd just drop it in the bin.i don't see the benefit of replacing.

@BlueMum16 i think it needs something around the concrete. It’s not actually flush to the floor it’s got rocks or something underneath and it’s very sharp! I worry the kids will trip over it or get injured on it if there isn’t something protecting the edges

I can sort of see what you mean. How old are your DC?

Putting wood around it won't make it anymore safe or any less of a trip hazard though.

Pool noodle. The wood can go to the tip, where there’s a specific wood skip, they don’t care about the state it’s in.

The wood can be put down the side of the shed. It will rot but in the meantime it will be a lovely little habitat for all sorts of garden creatures.

I would put some little plant pots or something around the concrete to shield it off.

Isn't it just a normal step? No sharper or more dangerous than any normal stone flagged step?

Make sure you have a written record of warning your LL you think the concrete is dangerous. Remind him that he has a duty of care towards his tenants. If one of your DC has an accident on the concrete get a rotweiler pay-if-you-win solicitor and sue the ass off the LL.

Plant some plants in the gravel to the front of the concrete.

Erm looking all around there's been hazards for ages it's not flush with pavement, background shows other hazards etc, just jumping on something I would never bother a landlord with tbh...and you would have known about what you could and couldn't do before signing a contract... For us we refused houses until we found one not strict and allowed us to put our stamp on it

It’s the same as any step or kerb? why would you be so anxious about kids unwell they are under 2? In which case you’d be supervising closely?

Its a basic concrete step and they would not usually have a timber front to them as they dont last, and become an extra hazard.
If you feel you must put something there then just make it so its removable should you leave, and take before photos for records.

I'm sure it's not the only danger in your garden. Id just chuck the wood behind a shrub or something and forget about it. I don't get the fuss tbh.

So this is the gap which I’m guessing is why the wood was originally there. Maybe we could use something else to fill it but I just think a little foot could easily get caught under it. As I’ve said we offered to replace it- I haven’t made a fuss to the landlord and have only ever been OVERLY polite because we live in fear of eviction.

Put some gravel there or plant some Forget-me-knots or Geraniums.

Or leylandii. Then when you move out they'll be massive and your landlord will be wishing he'd bothered his lazy arse .

I don’t think it’s really up to the LL as it’s not particularly dangerous, but if you want to improve it then you can get plastic or stone edging for gardens which you can embed a little in the gravel in front.
I’d be finding the cheapest and most attractive solution and doing it myself.

Buy a few sedum plants. They'll grow into a kind of spongy mat that will cover the sharp edge. They're good for insects to live in. Pick pink or purple flowering ones to attract bees and butterflies.

Just remove it and take it to the top or gravel fill the gap and put a planter on it . Job done .

A planter is a much better idea thanks!
we thought about decking it because our neighbours offered us some remaining decking of theirs, but I think a planter will actually work great

Bloody hell are you worried your child might fall down the cracks in the pavement too. It's a step. They exist everywhere. If you are worried about that then I think you need to buy your kid a crash helmet, full American football pads and have the air ambulance on standby

@NotAnotherScarf fgs why would you find it offensive?! I’m the one replacing it, but I gave them the option to if they wanted to. I genuinely didn’t know who’s responsibility it was… but I’m willing to do it myself. 😂

I simply want to make it safer what’s wrong with that? I have a 2 and 5 year old- I’m sorry but it is unsafe to have a gap with sharp edges and metal bolts sticking out 😂

Maybe buy a bag or two of bark and fill the border.

Kids will try and fall you can bubble wrap anything.

YANBU. Your landlord is responsible for sorting this out. I am surprised to hear about them not allowing you to paint and put up curtain poles. Most will want you to ask permission but would normally be glad if the tenant wants to make the properly nicer. I’m assuming you weren’t planning on painting the wall black or some other colour that would be unacceptable to most.

@dizzydizzydizzy I have to say I was a bit surprised too. Anything we’ve asked to do to improve it has been met with a no. I actually asked to make the wall WHITE 😂
When the cooker broke they said they wouldn’t be replacing it etc too. I think it’s a basically a situation where they aren’t willing to invest ANY money but also don’t want us to either which doesn’t really make sense!