Spring Has Sprung… What About Your Garden?
With winter slowly fading into the background and the first signs of spring appearing, gardens across the country are beginning to wake up again. For contract holders, this is the time to get back outside and take control of the garden before nature takes over.
A recent real-life case from a government-approved bond scheme arbitration service highlights why this matters.
When Seasonal Growth Becomes Neglect
At the end of a two-year tenancy, a landlord submitted a claim for £180 to restore a garden that had been left in significant disrepair.
The tenant argued that the condition was simply the result of seasonal growth, something many gardens experience after months of changing weather. However, the evidence told a different story.
The check-in inventory, supported by photographs, described a well-maintained garden with tidy borders and controlled growth. By contrast, the check-out inspection revealed long overgrown grass, weeds throughout the borders, and shrubs encroaching onto pathways.
The landlord also provided an invoice from a professional gardener showing that extensive clearance work was required to bring the garden back under control.
After reviewing the evidence, the adjudicator concluded that this wasn’t just seasonal growth, it was the result of a prolonged lack of routine maintenance. As a result, the landlord was awarded £150 towards the cost of restoring the garden.
Why the Evidence Mattered
While gardens naturally grow and change with the seasons, contract holders still have a responsibility to keep them “reasonably maintained”, as required by the tenancy agreement in this case.
The level of work required, including clearing established weeds and reshaping overgrown shrubs, showed that the garden hadn’t been maintained for some time.
Without the detailed check-in inventory and photographs, proving this would have been far more difficult.
Key Takeaways for Landlords
There are some important lessons here:
• Gardens require ongoing upkeep, seasonal growth does not excuse prolonged neglect.
• Detailed inventories and comparative photos are essential evidence in deposit disputes.
• Garden maintenance clauses in the occupiers contract, will be considered during adjudication.
• Significant overgrowth is unlikely to be viewed as fair wear and tear.
Put simply, good documentation protects landlords.
How Dawsons Helps Protect Your Property
For landlords on our Fully Managed Service, we take care of this for you. We create a detailed inventory at the start of the tenancy so the condition of your property is clearly documented from day one.
Combined with regular routine inspections and a thorough final inspection, this provides strong evidence should any disputes arise at the end of the occupation contract.
If you manage your property yourself, it’s essential to invest the time in creating a comprehensive inventory at the beginning of the occupiers contract. Without it, resolving disputes can become much more difficult.
Did You Know?
We also offer inventory and routine inspection services for Finder’s Fee landlords.
If you’d like help protecting your property and avoiding costly disputes, get in touch with our team HERE today to see how we can support you.