COTSWOLD Head into the garden
WHETHER it’s a haven of peace and tranquillity, somewhere for the kids to play, a place for the family to enjoy al fresco dining or for the adults to indulge in a glass of wine as the sun sets, a well-maintained garden can be a real asset to the property landlord. Landlords in the Cotswolds are fortunate
that land is less of a premium as it is in the cities. Outside of the market towns, many rural properties enjoy the benefit of sizeable gardens, without the added expense this would incur in built-up areas. In many cases the size of a garden might seem disproportionate to the size of the property. Two bedroom Cotswold cottages with large gardens – and even paddocks – are not unusual. When letting a property with a garden, the
appearance of the grounds can be as important as the state of the house. When a landlord is looking for new tenants, he or she should ensure that the grass is cut and that hedges are trimmed back. Gates should be in good working order and fences and walls should be upright. Remember: these are the things a potential tenant will see before he or she has even stepped foot inside the house. Before the property is let, it is important to
agree guidelines with the tenant – preferably in writing – as to what is, and is not, acceptable in the garden. Naturally, few landlords would object to the planting of small shrubs and flowers, but the digging of ponds, construction of brick barbeques, water features or rockeries, erection of sheds and greenhouses or any other significant landscaping should be agreed between
landlord and tenant before work commences. As a bare minimum, the tenant should be
advised – again in writing, and ideally as part of the tenancy agreement – that it is their responsibility to maintain the garden, including regularly cutting the grass and keeping bushes and shrubs under control. Of increasing popularity are landlord-
maintained gardens. The landlord agrees that they will retain the responsibility to maintain the grounds, recouping the cost through a slightly increased rent. This is particularly attractive to cash-rich, time-poor professional tenants, and in some cases might prove a real selling point when a large garden might seem attractive, but the hours of work in maintaining it are not so. Of course, landlords need not push the
mower themselves – newsagents’ windows and parish magazines usually carry advertisements from semi-professional gardeners – very often recently-retired people looking to supplement their pensions – who offer mowing, cutting and even digging and planting at a reasonable rate. Employing a gardener also ensures a
continuity of care, something the landlord may not get with a succession of different green-fingered tenants. It is very important that a tenant leaves the
garden in the state that he or she found it. An inventory is as important in the garden as it is inside the house, and photographs of the garden on the day the tenant moves in, as a supplement to the tenancy agreement, will hopefully settle disagreements about how long the grass was!
Properties
As summer brings sunny days and warmer evenings, we all think about heading into the garden. Finally, for landlords with obtrusive trees
or hedges – for example fast- and tall-growing conifers like Leylandii, legislated for under the Anti Social Behaviour Act 2003, – ancient trees with preservation orders (Town and Country Planning Act 1990) or trees deemed ‘dangerous’ (Local Government Act 1976) on their properties, it might be worth taking advice from a lettings expert before deciding under whose duty of care these should come. Moore Allen & Innocent have been
successfully letting and managing property for years and our reputation speaks for itself. Our fee structure is simple and competitive whilst our service is professional, comprehensive and tailored to the needs of the individual Landlord. We are experienced in providing investors with all kinds of information and intelligence about an area, either prior to buying or for those who already own properties, and we know how to make the most of the selling points of a particular area or property. Coupled with excellent local knowledge and a personal, friendly approach, it all adds up to a quality service and peace of mind for you.
For further information and a no
obligation chat on letting or managing your property, please contact Paul Oughton or Issy McCarthy at Moore Allen & Innocent in Cirencester on 01285 648 118 or Nancy Haughton or Lorraine Kyte in Lechlade on 01367 253 138 or email:
lettings@mooreallen.co.uk
Inspiring life in the Cotswolds
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