Garden Maintenance Scheme

If you’re struggling or unable to manage your garden, we may be able to help through our Garden Maintenance Scheme.

To join the Garden Maintenance Scheme, you must meet the following criteria:

1. You hold a current tenancy with Derby City Council or Derby Homes,
2. You are in receipt of Attendance Allowance, Personal Independence Payment or legacy Disability Living Allowance
3. You do not have an able-bodied person of working age living with you (someone who is over 18 but has not reached the state pension age)

We may need further evidence to support your application.

Work included on the scheme

• grass cutting
• border maintenance
• hedge cutting*
• rose pruning
• weed killing

*Hedges will be maintained to a height of five feet for health and safety reasons. 

Frequency of visits

We aim to visit every three weeks between April and October to carry out the work. We may cut hedges outside of this period.

Joining the scheme

If you’d like to be considered for the scheme you can contact us or speak to your Housing Officer. Due to the popularity of the scheme, you may be placed on a waiting list. We’ll let you know as soon as you’re accepted.

Conditions and charges

Changes your tenancy conditions

If you join the scheme, your tenancy conditions will change to show that Derby Homes accepts the responsibility for garden maintenance and that you will be charged for the service through a service charge. Once you’ve joined, you cannot leave the scheme and will remain on it for the duration of your tenancy.

Garden Maintenance Agreement

Costs and payment

The cost for the service is currently £7.14 per week (as of April 2025) and will be added to your rent. The charge is increased annually at a level decided by Derby City Council.

Housing benefit 

The charge is currently eligible to be covered by housing benefit, however this may not always be the case. You would become responsible for paying if the service charge was no longer eligible or if you are no longer eligible for housing benefit.

Universal Credit

This service charge is not covered by Universal Credit. You would need to pay for the service yourself if you are already receiving Universal Credit or if you switch from housing benefit to Universal Credit.