Tenant maintains, landlord invests
The tenant pays for routine garden maintenance: mowing, hedge trimming, weeding, leaf collection. The landlord pays for tree pruning (large trees), major landscaping (fences, terraces, drainage), and structural garden elements. The lease can specify a more detailed allocation.
| Task | Responsible |
|---|---|
| Lawn mowing | Tenant |
| Hedge trimming | Tenant |
| Weeding | Tenant |
| Leaf collection | Tenant |
| Watering | Tenant |
| Tree pruning (large trees) | Landlord |
| Fence replacement | Landlord |
| Terrace repair | Landlord |
| Drainage works | Landlord |
| Tree removal | Landlord |
Detailed breakdown
Tenant’s routine tasks:
- Mow the lawn regularly (every 1-2 weeks in growing season)
- Trim hedges at least once per year
- Weed garden beds and pathways
- Collect fallen leaves in autumn
- Water plants and lawn during dry spells
- Minor pruning of small shrubs
Landlord’s structural tasks:
- Pruning of large trees (arborist required)
- Removing dead or dangerous trees
- Repairing or replacing fences and gates
- Terrace maintenance and repair
- Garden drainage and irrigation systems
- Major landscaping changes
Include a garden maintenance clause in the lease specifying each party’s responsibilities. This is especially important for properties with large gardens, mature trees, or specialised landscaping.
In case of dispute
If the garden is poorly maintained:
- Landlord can claim at the exit inventory for neglected maintenance (overgrown, dead plants from lack of watering)
- Tenant can claim if the landlord refuses to handle tree pruning that creates a safety hazard
- The entry inventory (with garden photos) serves as the reference condition
If the tenant neglected garden maintenance throughout the lease, the landlord can deduct restoration costs from the deposit at exit.
Regional specifics
Brussels-Capital Region
The Ordinance of 27 July 2017 follows the general rules. Brussels properties with gardens are relatively rare, making these issues less common.
Wallonia
The Decree of 15 March 2018 applies the same framework. Walloon properties more frequently include gardens.
Flanders
The Flemish Housing Rental Decree of 9 November 2018 confirms the tenant/landlord allocation for garden maintenance.
Civil Code, articles 1754-1755 (tenant repairs — routine maintenance). Civil Code, articles 1719-1720 (landlord obligations — structural elements).