Landlord being anal about lawns

backno67 on 09/12/2015 - 22:58

Wondering if I could have advice on this:

Been renting for over 5 years.
We have an inspection every three months where landlord or agent inspects the house
There has been no feedback from the last 12 inspections or so.
After last inspection, however, we have received two letters saying that "we have come past the house and seen that the lawns needed mowing and edges were overgrown" and refer to a clause in the contract that states that lawns have to be kept clean and tidy. If not done, they will hire a gardener at our expense.
First time, I agree that it had been left overgrown, fixed fairly soon, within a week.
Second time, the letter arrives 10 days after having done the lawns. In my opinione they are in good to very good condition. The letter itself says "somewhat overgrown".

Question is, is it legal to be passing by and giving feedback on days that are not inspection days? Is it feasible to ask to define what tidy and clean is because I truly think they are going overboard.

Any advice would be very appreciated.

Financial

Comments

    • serpserpserp on 11/12/2015 - 19:30
      +2

      Aren't real estate receptionists the worst people? I have no idea how they live with themselves. I love how the little landlord didn't even know what he was doing, which is usual in most cases. They just want a slave to live in their shoebox so they can negative gear the carp fish out of it and drain the taxpayers of cash instead of having that money go to funding hospitals, schools, roads etc.

  • mataeka on 11/12/2015 - 20:46
    +1

    Sounds a bit anal to me (as a landlord) we just ask that it's back to original condition when they move out - We've actually cemented the whole front yard as a driveway to avoid neighbours complaints (they're lovely though and mow the strip for us/the tennants)

    However if you have a neighbour complaining to council that would explain everything.

    Definitely have a talk to your real estate - get a clear definition of what they want etc.

  • UFO on 12/12/2015 - 00:09
    +4

    Quiet enjoyment.

    Look it up in the tenancy agreement mate. The landlord may have his own standards in relation to what is his accepted standard in garden maintenance, but provided you are keeping the garden tidy and then at the end of the lease it's in the same comparable standard as to what you got it, that's all that's required.

    When they threaten to get a gardener "at your expense", take pictures with dates, and keep records of all emails sent to and fro (emails are great because they are date time stamped). Then, remind the agent/landlord of the quiet enjoyment clause, and that the constant drive-by's and critising of your apparent lack of garden maintenance is not appreciated and is affecting your ability to enjoy the home you are paying for without the constant watch of the landlord on an almost weekly basis. And if it continues, you'll have to raise the issue with the Tenancy Tribunal.

    Let me make this crystal clear for you. The Landlord's standard of garden maintenance is NOT the standard required by you. It's the standard that would REASONABLY BE EXPECTED BY ANY OTHER PERSON. Unless the garden is 'overgrown'… and that's more than just grass that's a little long during spring and you havent cut it for 10-14 days. There's a difference between 'a little long and needs cut' vs 'overgrown and we need to arrange gardeners for you'.

    Same thing with rental inspections. It doesnt have to be display home standard every time an agent comes through. There are people still living in this house! As long as its reasonably clean and you arent running a drug den, you cant be harrassed.

    Driving past your house isnt an issue, as you cant control that. Telling you that they are doing so, and asking you to rectify issues they perceive IS an issue.

  • simonjb on 12/12/2015 - 09:53
    +1

    As a landlord I make this comment. Gardener at your expense comment is unreasonable. Ring the agent and tell them you will never pay for that and they can go to the tribunal and the letters with threats must stop today tell them you do maintain and take photos of the lawn so you are ready. Mow your lawns and edge them. It is an indication to a nervous and generally inexperienced Landlord of the condition of the rest of the house. Also quarterly inspections are an invasion. Regardless of the law, every 6 months after a year tenancy is enough, unless they do have something to complain about.

  • frewer on 12/12/2015 - 18:28

    I came here for the lol and I really happy about it :D
    When my lawn mower was broken ,the landlord brought his around n help me mowed the lawn too :D. He was really going. We moved into this place last July and has an inspection at oct or nov no fuzz really

  • Lucky13 on 12/12/2015 - 19:37

    Maybe just do it more regularly I guess, happy landlord = happy you :)

  • eatwell365 on 13/12/2015 - 06:46

    so we may have covered the front lawn,
    what about your backyard - does council care about that too?

    My preference is the front patch.

  • mini2 on 13/12/2015 - 16:18
    +1

    Perhaps your landlord should HTFU or get used to it. Every single one of mine have been like that from $200/week crap right through to $1300/week rented by a pair of doctors. I've once asked my PM to breach the tenants but got laughed at so I'm surprised your PM even entertained the prospect of sending letters out.

    FFS it's a rental, fair wear and tear I'd say (including not so well kept lawns).

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