Q&A

Your property questions answered.

Do we have a case over 'no maintenance' garden?

My parents downsized to a smaller house and garden last October. One of the big draws was the small, newly-landscaped back garden. The agent described it as "no maintenance" which was just what they were looking for having spent years looking after a large garden. When spring came, everything went awry. The trees died, as did two of the shrubs while two others are threatening to take over a whole corner. Grass is growing up through the pebbles and the sandstone slabs are sinking. It's horrible and it was clearly a botched job. Would we have a case against the landscapers?

How do you know a landscaper was involved? The previous owners could have done it themselves. In any case, if the professionals were involved, the contract is between the person who did the work and the previous owners, so it's difficult to see how your parents could do anything. Making gardens pretty for a sale is now very much part of the whole houseselling process and the same "buyer beware" advice applies outdoors as it does in. It's worth prospective buyers' time to have a good look at a newly done garden - check flagstones for any movement, root around among the pebbles to see how deep they are and what's underneath. One houseviewer recently reported finding a grassy lawn! As for shrubs planted in the wrong place or soil, well that's one for a keen gardener to figure out. Whatever about how horrible the place looks, you should address the raised flagstones immediately - they are a potential danger, particularly if your parents are elderly. As for the estate agent's claims, as every gardener knows there is no such thing as a "no maintenance garden" - unless it's wall-to-wall- tarmac.

Management company says it will take down satellite dish

We purchased an end of terrace house in Stepaside D18 and recently got a letter from the newly installed management company stating that we cannot have a satellite dish on any part of the exterior of our house (as per the lease agreement) and that if we do not remove ours within 14 days, they will and charge it to us. The dish is discreetly placed at the side of the house and is only visible directly from the front. Other people have dishes placed to the front of their houses/duplex. We have offered to move it to the rear of the property out of sight as a comprise but they have still said no. Any advice?

It's not unusual for a no satellite dish clause to be part of a lease - not that you'd think it by driving around any number of new estates. Generally management companies are too busy with more pressing matters to get around to concentrating on dishes, but obviously not yours. You are doubtless not the only ones being threatened by the management company in this way so you should contact other dish owners with a view to meeting with the company to accommodate dishes once they are discreetly installed at the back or side. In these situations a collective voice will always have more power than one homeowner. Dishes on the front of houses not only look horrible but they are also against planning regulations so the management company will have a strong hand when it comes to outlawing them. You could also contact your solicitor to find out if the management company is empowered in your lease to come into your garden and actually take down your dish.

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Unfortunately, it is not possible to respond to all questions. The above is a representative sample of queries received. This column is a readers' service and is not intended to replace professional advice. No individual correspondence will be entered into.