Gardens and Tenancies – A Spring Reminder for Landlords

As the weather improves, gardens start coming back to life. For many landlords, that is a welcome sight. But it can also be the time when small misunderstandings about outdoor space start to grow into bigger issues.

A garden can add real appeal to a rental property. It helps create a better first impression, gives tenants more usable space and can make a home feel more settled and cared for. But without clear expectations, it can also become a point of confusion by the end of a tenancy.

A recent article from the Deposit Protection Service highlighted just how often gardens can become part of a dispute, from neglected lawns to damaged plants and unrealistic expectations on both sides.

At Personal Economy Lettings, we think this is a useful reminder for landlords at this time of year. Not because every tenancy will have a garden problem, but because a few simple conversations now can save time, stress and cost later on.

Gardens matter more than many landlords realise

When people think about tenancy issues, they usually think about rent, maintenance or compliance first. Gardens often come lower down the list. But they can have a real impact on how a property is looked after and how a tenancy ends.

Outdoor space is part of the overall condition of the home. If a tenant is responsible for it, that needs to be clear from the start. If a landlord expects a beautifully maintained garden, that expectation also needs to be realistic. The DPS makes the point that tenants may not have the same level of gardening knowledge or enthusiasm as a property owner and that is important.

In other words, a neat and reasonably maintained garden is one thing. Expecting specialist plant care or show-garden standards is another.

A better approach for landlords

Rather than treating the garden as an afterthought, it helps to treat it as part of the tenancy setup from day one.

Here are some of the most sensible takeaways for landlords this spring:

1. Make responsibilities clear in the tenancy agreement

If you want the tenant to maintain the garden, it needs to be set out clearly in the tenancy agreement. The DPS notes that tenant responsibility depends on what the agreement says.

That sounds obvious, but it is often where problems begin. A vague clause can lead to very different interpretations.

2. Explain what “looked after” actually means

A simple handover conversation can make a big difference. The source article recommends being clear at the start of the tenancy about how you expect the garden to be returned and whether there are any particular plants or features that need special care.

For many landlords, this does not need to be complicated. It can be as simple as:

• keep the grass under control

• avoid letting weeds take over

• report any damage

• do not remove plants, trees or features without permission

3. Be realistic about what a tenant can reasonably manage

This is probably the most useful point in the whole piece. The DPS says tenants are not house-sitters and should not be expected to manage rare plants or specialist outdoor features.

That is a helpful reminder. If a property has a large, high-maintenance garden, mature borders, a pond, or anything more specialist, landlords may need to think carefully about whether some professional support is more appropriate.

4. Keep fixed features as a landlord responsibility

Fences, paving, steps and other fixed items still fall into the landlord’s area of responsibility for repair and upkeep, unless something different has been clearly agreed. The DPS also flags that anything unusual, such as a swimming pool, should be specifically agreed between landlord and tenant.

5. Inspect and document the garden properly

The article recommends treating the garden like any other part of the property during inspections and keeping seasonal photographs and records to support the check-in and check-out process.

This is especially important with gardens, because they change naturally over time. A winter garden will not look the same as a spring one. A shaded patch may not grow like the sunny side. Good records help keep expectations fair and evidence clear.

Why this matters beyond the garden

What we like about this topic is that it reflects a wider point about successful property management.

Most tenancy issues are not caused by bad intent. They are caused by unclear expectations, poor communication, or assumptions that were never checked at the start.

Gardens are a good example of that. One landlord may see a lawn as “fine”. Another may see it as neglected. One tenant may think pulling up a plant is helpful. The landlord may see it as damage. The more clearly things are explained at the beginning, the less room there is for disagreement later.

A note from Lisa Bailey

“Gardens can be a lovely feature in a rental property, but they are also one of those areas where assumptions can quickly lead to problems. For us, it comes back to clear communication, realistic expectations and good records. If everyone understands their role from the start, things usually run much more smoothly.”
Lisa Bailey, Personal Economy Lettings

Our view

This kind of advice may feel seasonal and a little lighter than the usual landlord headlines, but it is still important. Good lettings management is not only about handling the big legal or financial issues. It is also about getting the smaller day-to-day details right before they become problems.

Spring is the perfect time to review how outdoor space is dealt with across your properties. A quick check of your tenancy wording, inspection process and check-in notes could make a real difference later in the year.

Need help keeping things clear and well managed?

At Personal Economy Lettings, we help landlords stay on top of the practical details as well as the bigger picture. From tenancy setup and inspections to ongoing property management, we make sure expectations are clear, communication is handled properly and your investment is protected.

If you’d like support managing your rental property in a more proactive, joined-up way, get in touch with Personal Economy Lettings.