14 do’s & don’ts in a rental garden this summer

If you’re moving from one rental property to another to gain a garden, there is a code of outdoor conduct that tenants should abide by. From weeding to watering, balconies and barbecues, here’s our essential do’s and don’ts advice for renters.

Do

1. Read your tenancy agreement: when you sign on the dotted line, you agree to keep a property and its grounds to a set condition. Most agreements explain what duties fall to a renter. If you’re unclear about gardening responsibilities, ask us for a written list.

2. Expect the basics: as with the inside, a renter will be expected to hand back the garden in its original state at the end of the tenancy. Mowing the lawn, weeding, pruning shrubs and keeping the garden litter free are jobs that almost always fall to the tenant. 

3. Ask about equipment: if a landlord expects you to keep on top of garden maintenance, it is reasonable for them to supply you with the tools for the jobs, and provide somewhere safe to keep items such as lawn mowers and strimmers.

4. Warn neighbours about parties: most of us will mark summer with the odd barbeque or garden party but be polite and respectful. Warn neighbours in advance, be mindful about volume levels and don’t make it a regular occurrence.

5. Practice container gardening: almost anything is possible with container gardening, so utilise pots, hanging baskets and vertical planters. As well as avoiding making permanent changes to the garden, pots can be moved from one home to another.

6. Exert caution on balconies: while container gardening is ideal for renters, the weight and watering schedules of pots on balconies is a consideration. Use lightweight plastic or fibreglass planters, and place a drip tray under each one so the water doesn’t saturate the balcony or drip through to residents below.

7. Repair damage you’ve caused: accidents happen but if it’s not fair wear and tear, the tenant is liable to pay for replacements/repairs. This could involve reseeding a patch of grass where a paddling pool was or replacing a pane of glass smashed by a rogue football.

Don’t

1. Dig for England: if you want to make permanent changes to your rental garden, you will need your landlord’s written permission. Permanent alterations can include new flower beds, a pond, a new path, a vegetable patch or raised beds.

2. Ignore suspicious plants: there has been plenty of press recently about the destructive nature of non-native plants. Species such as Japanese knotweed and running bamboo are super invasive and can damage a property’s structure. If you suspect anything non-native in your garden, flag it up to us, or your landlord, as soon as possible. 

3. Become a bonfire menace: while it is not illegal to have a bonfire, the repeated burning of anything that harms health, stops people enjoying their home or garden, or drifts onto roads and hinders safe driving can be investigated by local councils. An abatement notice can be served and if the rules within are broken, the culprit can be fined. 

4. Install a plumbed-in hot tub: if you are determined to relax in the warm bubbles of a hot tub, seek the landlord’s written permission. A plumbed-in variety would be classed as a permanent alteration, and potentially present health and safety issues. Instead, check if there’s any clause against a pop-up, inflatable hot tub.

5. Undertake specialist work: a tenant shouldn’t complete any work that needs specialist equipment or expert knowledge. It is the responsibility of a landlord to replace fences, repair walls, lop or fell trees and relay patios.

6. Put up a garden building without consent: one of the most frequent deposit disputes is around the cost to take down a garden building that was erected by tenants without the landlord’s permission. Always get written consent before you add a shed, a summer house, a log cabin or an outside kitchen. 

7. Jet wash patios: while it may sound a good idea to keep patios and paths clean by giving the surface a good jet wash, the stream of water can be powerful enough to dislodge mortar, remove sealant and chip tiles. Contact us if your patio needs a deep clean.

We’re here to advise tenants on their maintenance responsibilities and explain tenancy agreements before they’re signed. Don’t hesitate to contact us for assistance.