Islington: 020 7226 0160Highbury: 020 7288 9696Camden: 020 7482 2894
    Get a Valuation
    Register
    LogoLogo
    • Block Management
    • News
    • Testimonials

    Our Branches

    Islington

    Islington Team
    Estate Agents
    Letting Agents
    Area Guide
    Live Market Data
    Properties For Sale in Islington
    Properties To Rent in Islington

    Highbury

    Highbury Team
    Estate Agents
    Letting Agents
    Area Guide
    Live Market Data
    Properties For Sale in Highbury
    Properties To Rent in Highbury

    Camden

    Camden Team
    Estate Agents
    Letting Agents
    Area Guide
    Live Market Data
    Properties for Sale in Camden
    Properties to Rent in Camden

    See the surrounding areas that we cover

    View all Area Guides

    Home/News/Tenants: your guide to using, not abusing, your outside space this summer

    Tenants: your guide to using, not abusing, your outside space this summer

    about 1 year ago
    Lettings
    Tenants: your guide to using, not abusing, your outside space this summer

    The sun is out (fingers crossed), the temperature is rising and there is the distinct smell of barbeques in the air. After one of the wettest UK springs on record, who can blame the nation for rushing outside as soon as possible?  

    The value we place on outside space was brought into sharp focus during the pandemic and the desire to grow plants, feel grass underfoot or simply breathe in fresh air remains strong.  

    For homeowners, a garden, patio, terrace or balcony is theirs to shape how they see fit but there is a slightly different approach to the great outdoors if you rent a property. Like the interior and structure of a rented property, there is a division of labour between the tenant and the landlord when it comes to garden maintenance.   

    Time to trim and strim

    Summer is the peak growing season – a period when grass and plants rapidly develop. A tenant will be required to perform basic maintenance that keeps the garden in good shape. This will generally include mowing the lawn, keeping flower beds and borders weed free, pruning small plants and responsibly disposing of garden waste.   

    No smoke without fire

    On the last note, having bonfires is a contentious issue. It’s not illegal to have a bonfire to burn garden waste but complaints about smoke can be classed as a statutory nuisance under the Environmental Protection Act 1990. The local council is obliged to look into complaints where a bonfire or its smoke may ‘unreasonably and substantially interfere with the use or enjoyment of a home or other premises, or injure health or be likely to injure health’. Those found guilty can be fined.   

    If there is nothing in the tenancy agreement to stop tenants from lighting bonfires, caution and restraint should be used in terms of timings, frequency and the notification of neighbours.  

    When to leave it to the landlord

    A landlord will be responsible for anything in the garden that requires professional expertise, such as cutting back or removing tall trees, trimming and maintaining hedges, and repairing or replacing fence panels. The tenancy agreement may also stipulate that the landlord is responsible for treating/removing vermin – a category that wasps’ nests fall into. 

    Permission before planting Green fingered tenants may be keen to make the most of their outside space but it’s not just a case of digging a new flower bed, adding a vegetable patch or erecting a shed. Outside additions and alterations will need a landlord’s written approval or the tenant risks their deposit not being returned in full. 

    To illustrate, a case handled by one of the Government’s approved tenancy deposit schemes saw deductions from a deposit to cover the cost of dismantling a garden outbuilding that was installed without permission. It’s also feasible for a landlord to make a deduction to return a garden to its original state.  

    Summer storms

    Scorching heat waves are often followed by storms and torrential rain, so it’s important to know where tenants stand on gutters, downpipes and drains. The tenancy agreement will detail who is responsible for clearing debris and blockages - it might be the tenant or it could be the landlord. If there are signs of a leak or obstruction, a tenant is obliged to let the landlord or managing agent know as soon as possible.   

    On the line

    Tenants are discouraged from drying wet clothes inside their property but it’s worth checking the rental contract before you head outdoors with the peg bag. It’s not a widely known aspect of renting but a reported 1.4 million tenants are banned from displaying clothing outside, while research revealed 7 in 10 people were not aware such laundry restrictions exist. A laundry ban can apply to balconies as well as gardens, so it’s worth checking for any clauses in the tenancy agreement.   

    Look at the contract before lighting the charcoal 

    A tenancy agreement may also contain a clause about another summer favourite – barbecuing. Firing up the grill may be a particular activity the landlord is against at their property and this should be noted in the contract.   

    If barbecuing is permitted and you like nothing more than hosting friends and family, be mindful that the tenant is responsible for the behaviour of their guests and any damage they may cause. Noise and nuisance that’s classed as antisocial may be reported and provide a valid reason for eviction.

    The main message about summer living in a rented property is to check the tenancy agreement. If you would like to discuss any garden clauses in your contract, or seek permission to make outside alterations, please get in touch.

    Share this article

    More Articles

    More than half of under 34s hope to become a landlord

    More than half of under 34s hope to become a landlord

    Published 18 days ago

    Younger Millennials (born between 1991 and 1996) and those in Generation Z (1997-2012) still see a future in property investment. That was the surprising finding of a new survey of 2,000 UK adults conducted by Opinium on behalf of Market Financial Solutions.

    Read More
    A tenant’s guide to the Renters’ Rights Bill

    A tenant’s guide to the Renters’ Rights Bill

    Published about 2 months ago

    The Renters’ Rights Bill has taken another step towards becoming law. With no major amendments expected, it’s now that tenants should take notice of the Bill’s contents.

    Read More
    Garden etiquette for tenants this summer

    Garden etiquette for tenants this summer

    Published 3 months ago

    When you become a renter, you’re expected to behave in a ‘tenant like manner’ and that extends to outside spaces as much as inside the home. If in any doubt as to what that means, you can refer to your tenancy agreement. It should list the specific garden jobs you’re responsible for, and what your landlord should maintain. If there’s scant detail, contact us and we can obtain written clarification for you.

    Read More

    Sign up for our newsletter

    Subscribe to receive the latest property market information to your inbox, full of market knowledge and tips for your home.

    You may unsubscribe at any time. See our Privacy Policy.

    Back to Home

    Properties for Sale 

    Properties for Sale in Islington
    Properties for Sale in Highbury
    Properties for Sale in Camden
    Flats for Sale in Islington
    Flats for Sale in Highbury
    Flats for Sale in Camden
    Houses for Sale in Islington
    Houses for Sale in Highbury
    Houses for Sale in Camden

    Properties to Rent 

    Properties to Rent in Islington
    Properties to Rent in Highbury
    Properties to Rent in Camden
    Flats to Rent in Islington
    Flats to Rent in Highbury
    Flats to Rent in Camden
    Houses to Rent in Islington
    Houses to Rent in Highbury
    Houses to Rent in Camden

    NAEA
    OnTheMarket
    RightMove
    SafeAgent
    TDS
    Zoopla
    Logo
    Logo
    Logo
    © 2025 Hotblack Desiato
    Privacy Policy|Terms & Conditions|Cookie Policy|Landlord Charges|Tenant Charges|Complaints Procedure|Consumer Protection Regulations|AML Policy|Client Money Protection|Client Money Protection (Highbury)|PropertyMark Membership Rules and Conduct|Property Jargon Glossary|Sitemap
    Powered by