A garden can be great – fresh air, sunny afternoons, maybe a spot to sit with a drink. It’s very nice to have one in spring and summer. But gardens don’t stay tidy on their own. You need to maintain yours if you want it to look its best. While some people do enjoy garden work, most don’t and herein lies the challenge.
If you rent a house and there’s a garden or outdoor area, you mustn’t leave it off your to-do list. Landlords notice this stuff. If the garden looks good, you will get your full bond back. On the other hand, a messy yard could cost you part of your bond at the end of your lease.
Now, you will learn how to properly do an end of lease garden clean-up, so you may get your full deposit back. But first, let’s discuss something of importance…
When it comes to end of lease gardening, many renters aren’t sure what their job is and what the landlord’s.
In Australia, tenants must keep the garden in reasonable condition and avoid damage. That’s the law. You don’t have to make it perfect, but you can’t leave it in disarray either. You need to return it in the same condition as you got it when you moved in. That’s it, in a nutshell.
As far as responsibilities go:
But what if tenants decide they want to remove some plants, can they do it? Not without permission, otherwise you could be up for the cost. It’s best to always ask before you do anything major.
As for who pays for garden maintenance, the truth is that It depends on what’s in the lease. It also depends on the type of rental.
While laws in most Australian states are very similar when it comes to both a tenant and a landlord’s responsibilities, you should consider local council water restrictions. If the lawn or plants die because of water rules or dry weather, that’s not on you. The tenant doesn’t get blamed for that. Still, if things start to look rough, like dead grass or trees dropping leaves, it’s a good idea to let the property manager or landlord know.
And a few words on dead plants. You as a tenant are responsible if the plants die because you didn’t take care of them properly. Same goes if you accidentally damage them by overwatering, using the wrong products, or pulling them out without asking.
But if the plants were already in bad shape when you moved in, that’s not on you. And if they died because of things you couldn’t control, like extreme weather, drought, pests, or the already mentioned water restrictions, you’re not likely to be held responsible. Also, if the landlord didn’t set up proper irrigation or the garden’s more complex than a basic yard, that can shift the responsibility back to them.
Has your garden become a jungle? Book garden maintenance for a splendid yard.
Here’s a rundown of common outdoor spots and what you, as a tenant, should do to maintain them.
Australia’s weather varies a lot, so garden maintenance depends on where you live. In WA and SA, hot and dry summers can dry out the lawn quickly. Even with water restrictions, you still need to weed, sweep, and keep things tidy.
In VIC and TAS, cooler winters slow plant growth, but you’ll still need to clear fallen leaves and manage weeds. In QLD, the mix of rain and heat makes gardens grow fast, so you will have to mow and trim more.
You know how many people have an end of lease cleaning checklist? Well, consider this an additional one for your garden.
Before you move out, take a good look at the backyard. Walk around and see what’s changed. Is the grass patchy? Are the flower beds full of weeds? Are hedges too tall or messy? Snap a few photos, especially if you have ones from when you first moved in. That way, you can compare and see what needs work.
After that, you need to perform the essential gardening tasks before you move out. So, what are they?
Start with the basics.
This is the kind of lawn and garden maintenance you can do in a weekend or two. But how long it takes depends on the size of the garden and how bad it’s gotten. The good news is when you do all of that, you will notice your garden looks tidy.
Mind you, you don’t have to spend a ton of money on your end of lease garden maintenance. Use vinegar and hot water to kill weeds without killing the grass. Wash patios or decks with warm soapy water and a broom.
If you don’t have tools, borrow from a mate or check out a local tool library. Unless things are really out of control, you don’t need to spend much or ask anybody for help. But what if they are and you are looking at a seriously overgrown garden?
If the grass has gone wild or the hedges are a mess it might be time to call in the pros. A proper end of lease garden clean-up can save you stress, especially if you’re short on time. Gardeners bring their own tools, know-how to deal with pests, prune trees the right way, and they’ll do it quicker than you. Some gardening companies even offer fixed prices or special deals for end-of-lease jobs.
And don’t forget pests. If you spot ants, spiders, or large dead patches in the lawn, address the issue early. Or use pest control that’s safe for pets and plants.
Check when you can have us for some garden care.
When your lease ends, the landlord or agent will check the outdoor areas just like they check the inside. So, can a landlord keep your deposit for gardening and under what conditions? Yes, they can. If the lawn is overgrown, plants are dead, or weeds have taken over, they may see that as damage or poor upkeep. And if the property looked better when you moved in, they’ve got a reason to charge you for getting it back to that standard.
Overgrown grass is a common issue. If it’s long and patchy, it won’t be seen as reasonable wear and tear. Dead plants can also raise flags, especially if they were alive and healthy at the start of your lease. If flower beds are full of weeds, or there’s garden mess blocking drains or covering paths, that’s another problem. In some cases, a messy yard can even damage fences or brickwork if left for too long.
Now you might ask, can a landlord make you pay for a gardener? Yes, if they need to hire someone to deal with the mess you’ve left behind. That cost could come straight out of your deposit. It depends on what’s in your lease and how bad the garden is. If it’s just a bit untidy, you might get a warning. But if the place looks like it’s been ignored for months, they’re likely to bring someone in.
Let’s hope things won’t get this far, but if they do, these are some common situations you may face.
Say you move out and leave the yard full of weeds and dry patches. The landlord pulls out move-in photos where the garden is neat and green. You’ve got nothing to show what it looked like when you arrived. The tribunal would take one look and side with the landlord, and you will lose part of your bond, just like that.
How to avoid it: Take photos or video of the garden (lawn, beds, hedges) when you move in and again before you leave. Use your pictures as proof that you didn’t let it decline dramatically.
Some tenants say they mowed, weeded or watered regularly, but the landlord disagrees. Without any record, it becomes a case of your word against your landlord’s word. The tribunal can’t rule in your favour if you lack evidence.
How to avoid it: Keep a simple maintenance diary or checklist. Note dates when you mowed, pulled weeds or watered. If you ever need to defend your upkeep, this log supports your case.
In the case of Alexopoulos v Morley (Residential Tenancies), tenants had kept up with watering, but one shrub, a camellia, died. The landlord claimed neglect, but the tribunal found the landlord hadn’t shown the plant’s death was due to a lack of care. It might have died from heat or disease.
How to avoid it: Record any watering you do. Note when you follow water restrictions. If plants die from factors beyond your control like season, pests, councils, your records show you tried.
Some disputes happen when tenants aren’t sure who should do what. That causes tension and bond claims later.
How to avoid it: Always talk early. Ask the landlord or property manager what garden tasks are expected of you. Get it in writing or email, so you both agree. That way, no one can later say you missed your duties.
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