Who is Responsible for Hedge Cutting and Garden Maintenance for a Let Property?

They seem a long time away right now, but when the summer months approach in 2026, we will undoubtedly be thrilled to embrace the hope of better weather and the first signs of spring. However, this is also the season when weeds grow quickly, grass needs to be mowed regularly, and gardens can suffer if not maintained.

Since many tenants start using their gardens in the spring and summer, they must understand their responsibilities and limitations regarding the garden, whether they want to improve its aesthetics or are organising a social gathering, such as a barbecue.

We’ll go over all you need to know in this article about caring for the garden on your rental property. From learning the essentials before and during the rental, to landlord and tenant responsibilities in the garden, and how to avoid conflicts.

A Few Garden Basics for your Buy-To-Let Property

There are a few garden basics to consider before your tenants move in, which could minimise the possibility of conflicts over garden maintenance during or after the rental.

Choose your tenant carefully

If your property has a garden, it would be better to target long-term tenants who are more likely to maintain the garden rather than short-term ones who won’t be around long enough to maintain it.

Create a garden that requires minimal maintenance

Choose hard landscaping with flowering shrubs and perennials that grow slowly and can withstand drought. Opt for a landscape that will entice tenants without breaking the bank or requiring a lot of work to maintain.

Think about hiring someone to take care of your garden

It might be more affordable to handle the gardening yourself if you own multiple properties with gardens. You might hire a professional gardener to handle the maintenance and bundling the gardening cost in the rent.

Ensure that your garden equipment is in good condition

Make sure the gardening tools, especially the power ones, are in good working condition and meet all current health and safety regulations if you decide to permit your tenant to use them. All supplied electrical devices should be PAT tested.  All consumer units in Scotland are now required to have RCD protection.

Tenancy agreement clause regarding garden maintenance

A garden maintenance clause is included in the standard Scottish Private Residential Tenancy agreement which requires tenants to help with maintenance of shared gardens and assigns them responsibility for private gardens.  It is one of the most common grounds for deposit claims in Scotland.

Before moving in, tenants sign a tenancy agreement, which they are obligated to follow. They are expected to keep the garden litter-free, relatively tidy, and not overgrown. The tenant would be expected to mow the lawn regularly and water it during dry seasons.

Time can be saved and the chance of a future dispute is reduced by taking the time to ensure that garden maintenance responsibilities are clear from the very start of a rental.

Add garden to inventory and check-in/check-out reports

In case of an argument regarding garden maintenance, a mediator will examine the available records, specifically the inventory and check-in and check-out reports, to compare the state of the garden at the start of the tenancy with its condition at the end.

It is vital that you keep a thorough inventory and check-in record at the start of the tenancy in case it is needed later.

Five tips for check-in and check-out of rental property gardens:

• Make a detailed inventory of the state of every garden space at the start of the rental agreement. Check-in reports should always provide clear answers and be supported with high-quality images, which will serve as the foundation for any further discussions.
• Check-out descriptions should be accurate, and images should be taken from the same angle as they were in the check-in report to make it possible for a clear comparison.
• Try to have the tenant present at both check-in and check-out. If this is not possible, you should be able to show that they received the results as soon as they were made available and had the opportunity to comment. The tenant should sign both reports to show their approval.
• Remember to consider the time of year the tenant moved in as well as “seasonal growth,” since garden conditions vary and any changes between check-in and check-out could be the result of changing seasons rather than tenant neglect.
• The garden’s fixtures and features, including the gates, paving, sheds, and fence, will experience normal wear and tear.

Responsibilities of the tenant in garden maintenance

A landlord cannot expect tenants to fix the garden if it is already in a mess, because the tenant is usually just responsible for maintaining it in the same condition that it was in when they moved into their rental property.

Tenants cannot be asked to execute responsibilities that need expertise. For example, a landlord is unable to punish a tenant for neglecting to prune a large tree; it is the landlord’s responsibility to make the necessary preparations for this.

Basic garden maintenance is the tenant’s job, but as previously stated, it’s a good idea to state which areas of the garden the tenant is responsible for in a garden maintenance section of the rental agreement. These usually involve mowing the lawn, keeping flower beds and paths weed-free, caring for any low-growing bushes, and disposing of any rubbish.

Unless the rental agreement specifies otherwise, social gatherings in the garden, including barbecues, are allowed. If you don’t want to authorise certain activities, make sure to insert a restriction in the rental agreement before the tenant signs it. It’s also worth noting that tenants are accountable for any noise, disturbance, or property damage caused by themselves or their guests.

Tenants are legally required to ask for the landlord’s consent before making any changes to the garden, including planting their own garden, even if this involves making improvements. If they do not do this, the landlord can charge the tenant for the cost of restoring the garden to its original condition.

Responsibilities of the landlord in garden maintenance

Landlords are responsible for taking care of any parts of the garden that the tenant wouldn’t be able to do themselves. Usually, this means keeping trees, big shrubs, and climbing plants in good shape to make sure they’re safe. When it comes to significant maintenance works that may require the services of a professional and are the landlord’s obligation, reasonableness must be applied. Landlords should complete these duties once a year, before winter, to ensure that the garden does not become overgrown. Some climbers, such as wisteria and ivy, grow quickly early in the spring and must be maintained under control.

How to avoid garden disputes with tenants

Even though tenant-garden disputes tend to increase significantly in the summer, most problems can be resolved by the landlord and tenant communicating effectively and following these procedures throughout the tenancy:

Conduct regular property inspections. This lets you evaluate the garden’s condition and identify any problems early, minimising the degree and expense of any damage. Even if you have a good tenant, annual inspections can help avoid problems from growing later on. Inspections show your tenant that you care about the property and want it to be returned in good condition. Ideally, the tenant should be present during inspections so that they are aware of any issues that occur and have the opportunity to express any concerns to you. You must give at least 48 hours’ notice before doing an inspection.

Verify that all quotes and invoices accurately reflect the job completed. If any work needs to be done, maintaining the proof will help in negotiating expenses at the end of the tenancy, as well as helping a mediator in making a fair decision on what is reasonable.

Collect a deposit from the tenant before the tenancy starts. You could use this to get some of the money back that you lost because the tenant damaged or didn’t take care of the garden.

Conclusion

It is essential to have a written tenancy agreement which includes a clause on garden responsibilities. If the clauses relating to gardens in the standard Scottish PRT are insufficient, it is possible to add additional clauses.  The additional clauses cannot contravene what is written in the standard agreement. This lets both sides understand who will be responsible for garden maintenance. In most rental properties, the tenant is the one responsible for mowing the lawn, weeding and keeping the space tidy. While bigger tasks, such as tree pruning, are a landlord responsibility

Landlords can make certain that their tenants return the garden in the same condition as when they moved in by being clear about what is expected from them from the start, checking it regularly, and keeping detailed inventories. The garden is better taken care of by tenants who know exactly what to do.

Ultimately, a clear agreement and ongoing cooperation ensure that both landlord and tenant protect the value of the property while enjoying the benefits of a well-kept outdoor space.