How to claim for garden maintenance
Unravelling garden maintenance disputes:
A free comprehensive guide.
Garden maintenance often sparks disputes between tenants and landlords, and it’s an area of contention due to vague tenancy agreements. Some agreements don’t even mention the garden, leading to confusion. But fear not, we’ve got insights that shed light on this issue!
The crucial clause:
The cornerstone of resolving these disputes lies in having a garden maintenance clause in the tenancy agreement. Without it, landlords might struggle to make successful claims when problems arise.
Expert insights:
Suzy Hershman, our Head of Dispute Resolution, lends her expertise on how mydeposits approaches garden maintenance claims. Her insights provide valuable guidance for a smoother resolution process.
Adjudicator's perspective?
When a dispute reaches an adjudicator, key questions come into play:
- Who’s assessing the garden’s condition, and are they impartial?
- What evidence shows deterioration over the tenancy period?
- Are there unbiased check-in and check-out reports with dated photos?
- Did the tenant try to address the issue? Their presence at check-out holds weight.
Claiming for garden maintenance?
Here's what you need:
- Solid tenancy agreement: Ensure the agreement specifies garden maintenance expectations.
- Detailed reports: Have detailed check-in and check-out reports with embedded photos.
- Estimates and invoices: Provide evidence of costs incurred and proportional charges.
- Correspondence: Share correspondence indicating damage, admissions, or offers of compensation.
Remember, claims should be reasonable, considering seasonal growth and wear and tear. The aim is to bring the garden back to its initial state, not to exceed it.
Don’t let garden maintenance disputes overshadow your tenancy! Equip yourself with insights for a fair and informed resolution.