Moving into a rental property with a beautiful garden is a dream for many. You picture summer barbecues, lazy afternoons on the lawn, and maybe even growing a few tomatoes. But when the weeds start taking over and the hedges get unruly, a tricky question arises: who is supposed to take care of this?
Disputes over garden maintenance are surprisingly common in the rental world. Tenants often assume big jobs like tree trimming fall to the landlord, while landlords expect the property to be returned exactly as it was found.
If you are unsure about where you stand, don’t worry. Whether you are a tenant worried about your deposit or a landlord concerned about your investment, clarity is key. Here is everything you need to know about who handles the gardening.
Are Landlords Responsible for Garden Maintenance?
The short answer is: it depends. There isn’t a single law that says “landlords must mow the lawn” or “tenants must trim the hedges.” Instead, responsibility usually comes down to what is written in the tenancy agreement.
However, there is a general rule of thumb used by most letting agents and legal experts. Unless specified otherwise, the tenant is usually responsible for basic maintenance (like mowing and weeding), while the landlord is responsible for major work (like trees and fences).
Let’s break down the specific scenarios where the landlord takes the lead.
When Is a Landlord Responsible for Garden Maintenance?
While tenants handle the day-to-day upkeep, landlords can’t just ignore the exterior of their property. There are several situations where the responsibility lands firmly on their shoulders.
If the Tenancy Agreement Specifies It
The lease is king. If the tenancy agreement garden maintenance clause states that the landlord will provide a gardener, then the tenant is off the hook. This is often seen in premium rentals where the landlord wants to ensure the landscaping is kept to a very high standard.
If the Property Is Fully Managed
In some blocks of flats or serviced apartments, a service charge covers external maintenance. In this case, the landlord (or the building management company) organizes the mowing, weeding, and general tidiness of communal gardens.
If the Garden Is Shared (Common Areas)
If you live in a building with a shared garden, individual tenants are rarely responsible for maintaining it. The landlord must ensure these common areas are safe and usable. This falls under landlord obligations to keep the property in good repair.
If Major Landscaping or Structural Repairs Are Needed
Tenants are expected to maintain the garden, not improve it. If a fence blows down in a storm, a retaining wall collapses, or a patio becomes dangerous, that is a structural issue. Under Section 11 of the Landlord and Tenant Act (in the UK) or similar local housing laws elsewhere, maintaining the structure of the exterior is the landlord’s job.
If Local Housing Laws Require It
In some jurisdictions, local councils can force a landlord to tidy up a garden if it becomes a public nuisance or a health hazard (e.g., attracting rats). While the landlord might try to pass this cost to a tenant who caused the mess, the legal liability to comply with the council order often hits the property owner first.
When Is the Tenant Responsible for Garden Maintenance?
If you are renting a house with a private garden, you generally have an implied responsibility to look after it. Just as you must keep the inside of the house clean, you must keep the outside “seasonable.”
Routine Lawn Mowing and Weeding
This is the most common task. If there is a lawn, you need to mow it. If there are flowerbeds, you need to weed them. You don’t need to be an expert horticulturist, but you shouldn’t let the grass grow knee-high.
Watering Plants and Basic Upkeep
During a drought or a hot summer, tenants are expected to water the plants. If a tenant lets the lawn die or expensive plants wither due to lack of water, the landlord may deduct the cost of replacement from the deposit.
Maintaining Garden Cleanliness
The garden shouldn’t be used as a dumping ground. Old furniture, bags of rubbish, and other waste must be removed. This falls under general tenant rights and responsibilities to keep the property sanitary.
Minor Pruning and Hedge Trimming
Are tenants responsible for hedges? Generally, yes, but only for maintenance. You should trim back overgrowth to keep things tidy. However, if a hedge is ten feet tall and requires specialist equipment, that might cross the line into landlord territory.
Preventing Damage Through Neglect
If a tenant ignores a small issue that becomes a big one—like letting ivy grow into the roof tiles or allowing a drain to get blocked by leaves—they could be liable for the resulting damage.
What Does the Tenancy Agreement Usually Say About Garden Maintenance?
To avoid arguments, you must read your lease agreement stipulations carefully. Here are a few common clauses you might find.
“Tenant to Maintain Garden in Good Order” Clause
This is standard wording. It means the garden should look roughly the same at the end of the tenancy as it did at the start (allowing for seasonal changes). If you moved in during winter, you can’t return a jungle in summer.
Professional Gardener Clauses
Some agreements require the tenant to pay for a professional gardener. If you signed a contract with this clause, you must adhere to it. This ensures the garden maintenance meets a specific standard.
Shared Responsibility Clauses
Sometimes, a landlord might agree to handle the “heavy lifting” (like hedges and trees) while the tenant handles the mowing. This is often the best arrangement for both parties, as it protects the landlord’s expensive landscaping while giving the tenant a usable outdoor space.
End-of-Tenancy Garden Condition Requirements
Check your check-in report. If the garden was immaculate when you arrived, you need to weed, mow, and tidy before you leave. If the garden was a mess when you moved in, take photos. You generally don’t have to improve it, just maintain it.
What Happens If Garden Maintenance Is Neglected?
So, what happens if a tenant decides they just don’t like gardening? Neglecting garden maintenance in rented properties can have financial and legal consequences.
Deposit Deductions
This is the most common outcome. If a landlord has to hire a gardener to bring the property back to its original state after you leave, they will deduct that cost from your security deposit.
Formal Notice from Landlord
If the garden gets out of control during the tenancy, the landlord can issue a formal notice asking you to fix it. This is a warning that you are failing to uphold your end of the lease.
Breach of Tenancy Agreement
Severe neglect—like allowing pests to infest the yard or letting hazardous waste pile up—is a breach of contract. In extreme cases, this can be grounds for eviction.
Legal Disputes
Disputes over who is responsible for tree trimming (landlord or tenant) or expensive plant damage can escalate to small claims court or deposit protection adjudication services.
Property Value Impact
For landlords, a messy garden hurts “curb appeal.” If a tenant isn’t looking after the garden, it makes it harder to re-let the property or sell it, potentially lowering the property value.
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FAQs
Are landlords legally required to maintain the garden?
Unless the lease says otherwise, landlords are usually only legally required to handle safety issues, structural repairs (like fences), and major landscaping (like tall trees). Routine care falls to the tenant.
Can a landlord charge a tenant for garden maintenance?
Yes, if the tenant neglected their duties. The landlord can deduct the cost of a professional gardener from the deposit at the end of the tenancy to restore the garden to its original condition.
Who pays for tree removal in a rental property?
Tree removal is almost always the landlord’s responsibility. It is a major job involving safety risks and specialist equipment. Tenants should not attempt to cut down trees.
Does a tenant have to improve the garden or just maintain it?
Just maintain it. Tenants are not required to add new plants, install decking, or improve the landscaping. Their job is to keep things clean, tidy, and alive.
What happens if the garden was already in poor condition at move-in?
If the garden was overgrown when you arrived, you are generally only required to keep it in that state. You do not have to fix the previous tenant’s neglect. Always take photos when you move in as proof.
