Your garden

Fences, hedges and boundaries

Fencing is a tenant’s responsibility.

You must keep all hedges and trees well maintained and ensure they do not encroach or overhang public walkways and neighbouring properties. 

You must not remove, alter, replace or plant any boundary hedge or fence without our written permission.

Trees

Tenants are responsible for looking after any trees growing in your garden.

You must not plant Leylandii or any other quick growing tree or shrub in your garden.

Sheds, outbuildings and storage

You can't put up a shed or greenhouse without our permission. You might also need planning permission for this and we will tell you how to get it.

When you move out - you may need to remove it otherwise we can charge you if we have to carry this out.

You must not store any explosive or flammable materials anywhere on the premises, except a small amount of fuel for lawnmowers and garden strimmers in an appropriate container.

Untidy gardens

As part of your tenancy, you need to maintain your garden to an acceptable standard including:

• lawn mowing
• removing rubbish and animal waste
• maintaining plants, shrubs and trees

Action can be taken against you if you don't do this.

To report an unruly garden, contact your Neighbourhood Manager in the first instance.

Support

If you're having trouble maintaining your garden, please contact your Neighbourhood Manager first. They may ask you to apply for our gardening services.

Kettering area

If you are a council tenant in the Kettering area and unable to maintain your garden due to ill health or a disability (and have no nearby relatives who are capable of assisting you).

We can offer a basic service of lawn mowing, weeding and an annual hedge trimming service (subject to wildlife restrictions).

Corby area

In the Corby area, we offer a basic gardening service to people who are over 65 or disabled and don't have anyone to help them do this. This is charged at £130 a year, paid for by invoice, and includes:

• 7 grass cuts from April to October (cut and mulched, not removed)
• 1 hedge cut in September or October

The garden needs to be in a manageable state before we start the service. Gardens will not be taken on if they are severely overgrown. You will need to provide proof of age or disability when applying.

Garden services commence in April weather permitting. If you sign up and we start this service at a later date, the amount charged is reduced.

The garden needs to be in a manageable state before we start.

Last updated 15 May 2024