Garden maintenance
Garden responsibilities
You must keep any private garden areas tidy and maintained. This is a condition of your tenancy.
These areas should be kept to the reasonable satisfaction of the council. You are responsible for the upkeep of all parts of your garden. This includes but is not limited to:
- grass
- trees
- plants
- bushes
- hedges
- garages and outbuildings
You must not let any hedge or shrub grow more than two metres high, overhang pavements, cause an obstruction or interfere with your neighbour's garden.
You must not remove trees or hedges without our prior written consent.
You and anyone living with you must keep any communal garden area outside the property, clean, tidy and free from rubbish or furniture at all times.
If you are struggling or unable to manage your garden we may be able to help, either through our paid Garden Maintenance Scheme or by offering you some alternative support, depending on your requirements and eligibility.
Garden maintenance scheme
You must meet the following criteria to qualify to join the Garden Maintenance Scheme:
- You hold a current tenancy with Derby City Council or Derby Homes,
- You are in receipt of Attendance Allowance, Personal Independence Payment or legacy Disability Living Allowance
- 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)
Joining the scheme 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 incur a service charge for the service. Once you’ve opted in, you cannot leave the scheme and will remain on it for the duration of your tenancy.
Contact us if you would like to join the scheme.
Work included on the scheme
The work carried out on the scheme includes:
- grass cutting
- border maintenance
- hedge cutting
- rose pruning
- weed killing
Frequency of visits
We aim to visit every two weeks between April and October to carry out the work. Hedge cutting work may take place outside of this period.
Costs and payment
If you join the scheme, a weekly service charge will be added to your rent. The cost for the service is currently £5.63 per week (year starting April 2020). The charge is increased annually at a level decided by Derby City Council.
If you claim housing benefit or Universal Credit
The charge is currently eligible to be covered by housing benefit, however this cannot be guaranteed indefinitely. You would become responsible for paying if the service charge was no longer eligible or if your eligibility for housing benefit ended.
This service charge is not eligible to be 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.
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.