Lawn In Bad Shape - Moving Out Rented House - How Can I Fix?

[robtherevelator1969]

Hi Guys.

Im going to be moving out my rented accomodation in 1 months time. My back lawn is in a poor state and the landlord is likely to ask for a re-turf or something extreme. We have had a few run ins so he is not going to do me any favours or be sympathetic.

The spell of hot dry weather turned the grass brown, i had not been watering it so it was really bad. Then as it started to grow a little, there was an explosion of weeds all over. The grass was never wonderful as normally it was full of moss but i wasn't that bothered. Another issue i have was an ex girlfriend had some planters and boxes against the fence sitting on the grass, so needless to say there is bits of bare grass that need new turf.

I can do the little bit of turfing to patch things up but is there any hope of restoring the grass to a state where it looks ok again. I have one month to take care of it, otherwise who knows what he will take from my deposit to cover the cost of restoring the grass.

Here is a video to let you see what its like.

Any suggestions guys.

https://drive.google.com/file/d/12rXcGLcW4W6tKdXGxl2Dm2pI_Ze_S1Yh/view?usp=sharing

 

[Mottie]

Doesn’t look like a problem to me. I’d clear all that crap out though. Does he have any 'before' pictures and a clause in the lease stating you have to maintain the lawn?

 

[Notch7]

Unfortunately 1 month isnt long enough to improve a lawn and esp not October as grass growth slows down.

I would, mow the lawn weekly, cutting only down to 50mm.

You could cut out the worst of the thistle type weeds -dont take out many, you will just create bare patches.

If it stays warm, a fast growing lawn seed might help a bit, but a month is too short to establish.

Some autumn lawn feed may help, but its late really, Sept is the time.

You could water in ferrous sulphate, just a weak mix used for feed, not moss killer

 

[robtherevelator1969]

Doesn’t look like a problem to me. I’d clear all that crap out though. Does he have any 'before' pictures and a clause in the lease stating you have to maintain the lawn?

Thanks for your reply. Well i suppose it was in better condition when i moved in. I have not read through the lease to see if it says anything specific. I was going to give it a light cut at the highest setting, also clear out all the leaves. Maybe its not clear in the video but it is rife with weeds.

 

[scbk]

Doesn't look too bad, give it a cut now and atleast once more before you leave

I've seen some rented houses where the grass is waist high and full of dog turds

 

[robtherevelator1969]

Unfortunately 1 month isnt long enough to improve a lawn and esp not October as grass growth slows down.

I would, mow the lawn weekly, cutting only down to 50mm.

You could cut out the worst of the thistle type weeds -dont take out many, you will just create bare patches.

If it stays warm, a fast growing lawn seed might help a bit, but a month is too short to establish.

Some autumn lawn feed may help, but its late really, Sept is the time.

You could water in ferrous sulphate, just a weak mix used for feed, not moss killer

Many thanks for your reply. Is it worth still putting down the lawn seed or will it have made no improvement in 1 month.

I can easily get some autumn lawn feed, should i feed the ferrous sulphate as well as this?

 

[Tigercubrider]

Looks better than mine
I'd get advice from a tennant association/cab but I doubt that after a drought you can be held liable for a poor lawn

 

[JP_]

If he says anything, just blame it on the hot summer.
Did he leave any tools or materials to take care of the lawn? Is the lawn mentioned in the contract?
It'd be a bit much to stop a deposit based on a poorly kept lawn in a rented property - especially if this was not highlighted in a contract.
Probably would cost more to re-turf than the deposit?
Did they put your deposit in a registered tenancy scheme and give you written proof of this at the start of your contract?

 

[robtherevelator1969]

Doesn't look too bad, give it a cut now and atleast once more before you leave

I've seen some rented houses where the grass is waist high and full of dog turds

Lol that sounds worse . My landlord can just say its not like it was when i took out the lease, i can tell by his attitude he will screw me in any way he can. Im well aware it would improve itself with some feed and weed come the summer, but its now i need to worry about im afraid.

 

[robtherevelator1969]

Looks better than mine
I'd get advice from a tennant association/cab but I doubt that after a drought you can be held liable for a poor lawn

I would like to agree but seeking advice would not do any harm. Im sure most peoples lawns got similar problems too.

 

[robtherevelator1969]

If he says anything, just blame it on the hot summer.
Did he leave any tools or materials to take care of the lawn? Is the lawn mentioned in the contract?
It'd be a bit much to stop a deposit based on a poorly kept lawn in a rented property - especially if this was not highlighted in a contract.
Probably would cost more to re-turf than the deposit?
Did they put your deposit in a registered tenancy scheme and give you written proof of this at the start of your contract?

Thanks for your reply.

There is no tools left for looking after the lawn but it will be sods law there will be something there to hold me responsible for the lawn, i have not had a look through the agreement yet. My deposit was just over £1100 and yes it is in one of those tenancy deposit scheme. I dealt with one before in Scotland and i was let down badly, due to a devious letting agent who damaged things after i left and then took it from my deposit. So i dont have much trust in these people either.

 

[Notch7]

Thanks for your reply. Well i suppose it was in better condition when i moved in. I have not read through the lease to see if it says anything specific. I was going to give it a light cut at the highest setting, also clear out all the leaves. Maybe its not clear in the video but it is rife with weeds.

Yes it is clear its covered in weeds, but you havent got enough time to kill them and the grass grow back, so its best tonleave them be.

A light cut at highest setting is good practice, while the weather is warm cut each week, itll thicken up the grass.

If you have loads of moss dont use ferrous suphate, even a grass greening dose rates you risk making the grass brown.

If you can get hold of some shears and an edgibg iron (the half moon type), trimming the edges all round makes a big visual difference even if the grass isnt great.

 

[robtherevelator1969]

The tenancy agreement says to keep the gardens, pathways, lawns, hedges, rockeries and ponds (if any) regularly maintained and in good and safe condition and as neat tidy and properly tendered as they were at the start of the tenancy and not to remove any trees or plants.

 

[JP_]

Well, if you cut it and make it tidy, then you will have followed the agreement. If they say "there's weeds" just say "they were there when we moved in". Then they will have to prove that the lawn was different, and without a photograph with a recent timestamp, they won't have a leg to stand on.

 

[robtherevelator1969]

Yes it is clear its covered in weeds, but you havent got enough time to kill them and the grass grow back, so its best tonleave them be.

A light cut at highest setting is good practice, while the weather is warm cut each week, itll thicken up the grass.

If you have loads of moss dont use ferrous suphate, even a grass greening dose rates you risk making the grass brown.

If you can get hold of some shears and an edging iron (the half moon type), trimming the edges all round makes a big visual difference even if the grass isnt great.

Thanks for your reply. Ill just leave the weeds alone and any moss. Ill cut the grass today at the higher setting and get the autumn feed put on the grass.

I will try and get a hold of a edging iron, i agree it makes a lawn much more appealing. Many thanks.