Landlord query

Latest Articles

Landlord query
Page 1, 2 Next

Downsizer Forum Index -> Finance and Property

Author

Message

Nick

Joined: 02 Nov 2004
Posts: 34535
Location: Hereford

Posted: Sat Sep 21, 13 9:25 am Post subject: Landlord query

Our tenant has been in situ for a year or so, maybe more, says the beech hedge in the garden is now too over grown for her to cut back. She wants me to do it. Reckon it's my job?

And, furthermore, the neighbour is worried its so big the roots will damage the sewer, and wants it removed. Is this even likely? I have no idea how big the hedge is, to be honest, as I haven't been there in a couple of years.

I'm happy to continue being a great landlord, but don't want someone taking the mick, so I'm crowd sourcing your opinions, please.

Pilsbury

Joined: 13 Dec 2004
Posts: 5645
Location: East london/Essex

Posted: Sat Sep 21, 13 9:35 am Post subject:
J would say if the upkeep off the house and gardens was their responsibility then they should of kept it trimmed to a managable size, if tey didnt its down t tuem to pay someone to come in and reduce the size, as for the roots, no idea....

onemanband

Joined: 26 Dec 2010
Posts: 1473
Location: NCA90

Posted: Sat Sep 21, 13 10:10 am Post subject: Re: Landlord query

Nick wrote:

And, furthermore, the neighbour is worried its so big the roots will damage the sewer, and wants it removed. Is this even likely?

Unlikely unless either the sewer is very close to the surface and allmost touching the stumps / large roots ........ or if the sewer is allready broken or in poor condition (and also within reach of the roots). Maybe the neighbour is concerned about their view/daylight and looking for a legitimate reason for it to be removed. Ignore unless there is actually a problem with the drains.

jamanda
Downsizer Moderator

Joined: 22 Oct 2006
Posts: 35057
Location: Devon

Posted: Sat Sep 21, 13 10:37 am Post subject:
Beech are very shallow rooted. That's all I can add to the conversation.

marigold

Joined: 02 Sep 2005
Posts: 12458
Location: West Sussex

Posted: Sat Sep 21, 13 12:06 pm Post subject:

Is it a boundary hedge? If so, I think you should maintain it as you would if the boundary was marked by a wall or fence. If it's a garden feature and the lease says the tenant is responsible for maintenance, then it's their responsibility. In the latter case I imagine it would be within the tenant's rights to have it removed altogether.

If they are generally good tenants weigh up the cost of hedge-cutting vs reletting.

(Opinions of course, I'm not qualified to give legal advice

)

My landlord maintains the lawns in my garden, though my rent isn't any higher than standard for the area, but you could presumably increase the rent to cover garden maintenance costs if it's possible with the terms of the lease.

Shan

Joined: 13 Jan 2009
Posts: 9075
Location: South Wales

Posted: Sat Sep 21, 13 2:38 pm Post subject:
I would say it is the tenants responsibility. We rent and our hedges are all our responsibility.

12Bore

Joined: 15 Jun 2008
Posts: 9089
Location: Paddling in the Mersey

Posted: Sat Sep 21, 13 2:41 pm Post subject:
What does it say in the tenancy agreement?

Hairyloon

Joined: 20 Nov 2008
Posts: 15425
Location: Today I are mostly being in Yorkshire.

Posted: Sat Sep 21, 13 5:04 pm Post subject:

Is it furnished, or unfurnished?
If furnished, did you provide hedge trimmers? I think that if you expect her to trim the hedge, then you should.

However big it is, I can't see why she cannot trim this years growth off the sides. The top may of course be more of an issue.

Generally, I would say that trimming is maintenance, and the tenant's responsibility, but cutting back is remedial, and the landlord's: how badly overgrown was it when she moved in?

Nick

Joined: 02 Nov 2004
Posts: 34535
Location: Hereford

Posted: Sat Sep 21, 13 5:20 pm Post subject:
I haven't looked at my agreement, tbh. It's unfurnished. It's a boundary hedge. It wasn't overgrown when she moved in. Opinions still welcome.

RichardW

Joined: 24 Aug 2006
Posts: 8443
Location: Llyn Peninsular North Wales

Posted: Sat Sep 21, 13 7:30 pm Post subject:

If they have been cutting / trimming it two or three times per year (as you would expect to do to keep it at the same heigh as it was when they moved in) & the growth has still go away from them then I think you should get it done.

If however they have not been doing it that often & it is clearly in the rental agreement that the maintenance of the garden is down to them then they should do it at their cost.

Would you get a gardener in to cut the grass if they had not done it for 3 years so their household mower could not cope?

Piggyphile

Joined: 02 Apr 2009
Posts: 891
Location: Galicia

Posted: Sat Sep 21, 13 8:59 pm Post subject:

If it is practical then go and see it for yourself and talk to them directly, there may be some compromise available.
If they move out and it is huge you will have to get it sorted anyway.
If they want something else, and it is ok as a hedge then either say no if you like it or let them pay for a alternative that you (and the neighbour on that side) like.

Beech hedges are not to every ones taste, they are bare in winter, dump leaves everywhere in Autumn and need trimming. Are the renters elderly? Disabled?

They might have a good reason for letting it get neglected, it is not always just about money....

Nick

Joined: 02 Nov 2004
Posts: 34535
Location: Hereford

Posted: Sat Sep 21, 13 9:04 pm Post subject:
It's a hundred miles away. The tenant isn't hard up, nor old or disabled. My feeling is she's done nothing with it for a year or so, now I get to deal with it. I also trust the agent down there, and I'll speak to him, but he might tell me to pay for it, for a quiet life.

toggle

Joined: 30 Dec 2006
Posts: 11622
Location: truro

Posted: Sat Sep 21, 13 9:12 pm Post subject:

IMO, your tennant is taking the whotsit.

having lived in a multitude of rented places, I'd put hedge trimming and mowing and stuff like that alongside hoovering the floor and cleaning the sink. it's the stuff you do to keep the place reasonable and for your own enjoyment of a decent living space. i've cleared gardens where previous tennants had done nothing with tools borrowed off the neighbours because although it wasn't my 'mess' it was my home and I wanted it done.

and if you don't want to do that, then don't live somewhere with a garden.

jamanda
Downsizer Moderator

Joined: 22 Oct 2006
Posts: 35057
Location: Devon

Posted: Sat Sep 21, 13 9:24 pm Post subject:
Beech hedges are not bare in Winter. That's one of the reasons they are good for stock, becasue their leaves stay on (albeit brown and dead) and so provide a wind break. They are good for over wintering moths too.

Hairyloon

Joined: 20 Nov 2008
Posts: 15425
Location: Today I are mostly being in Yorkshire.

Posted: Sat Sep 21, 13 9:34 pm Post subject:

Nick wrote:

My feeling is she's done nothing with it for a year or so, now I get to deal with it.

To be fair, you have not looked at it for a few more years than that...
What it was like when she moved in is a relevant issue.
I think the height is relevant as well: I'm not sure it is fair to expect a tenant to have to work from a ladder.

Quote:

I also trust the agent down there, and I'll speak to him, but he might tell me to pay for it, for a quiet life.

I may be inclined to agree this time, but nail it down for the future: either be sure the tenant is responsible, else put the rent up.

	Downsizer Forum Index -> Finance and Property	All times are GMT Page 1, 2 Next
Page 1 of 2

View Latest Posts