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Let it grow: is a landlord responsible for the upkeep of a garden?

When you let your property, you’re obviously concerned that it’s cared for and returned to you in a fit state. But if your property has a garden or outdoor space too, that can be an extra worry. What are the rules concerning gardens for landlords and tenants? And, as a landlord, how do you make sure your garden remains an asset and doesn’t turn into a jungle out there?

Make it easy: Lavish beds and exuberant displays are going to be a pain to maintain, so make sure your garden is easy to care for. You want a queue of tenants, not a medal from Kew.

Set expectations: Making sure the garden’s in the tenancy agreement is one part of the solution. You’ll also want the state of the garden included in the inventory. But make sure there is no room for confusion. Don’t forget that you can offer guidance on what the tenants should be doing in the same way you might provide notes on how to avoid damp and condensation.

Gardeners’ question time: As part of the viewing process get an idea of whether your prospective tenants are green-fingered. It’s trendy to cultivate a few veggies and the like these days, so people professing an interest in horticulture should get a big tick.

Provide the tools: Make it even easier by providing a few tools to do the job. For patios and paved areas, give your tenants a big hint with a box of weedkiller. A spade, fork, trowel and a pair of secateurs won’t break the bank.

It depends very much on the tenancy agreement. But, in general, it’s usually the tenant’s responsibility to maintain the garden. But, they are not expected to clear up or improve a garden that’s already in a state. In the first instance, it’s worth making sure that the agreement is clear on what you expect. In the case of big gardens, or high end properties, that could mean including gardening service in the rent.

But most of the time, we’re talking about small yards or gardens and not expansive grounds. Make sure you consider the garden when you’re letting the place out: