UK Landlord Forum / Life

Good evening all, I have a quick question about my tenants. Hopefully someone is in the know. They have rented my house for over a year and are a nice young couple. They don't cause me any issues and always pay the rent DD on time every month.

The other day I had a text out of the blue saying they wanted to put a small pond in a section of the garden where the grass doesn't grow very well. While I don't really give a rats ass if they do install a pond, or even if they decided to rear a herd of alpaca in the garden. I'm concerned where I stand if one of their nearest and dearest decides to go for a nap face down in it. Could I be sued or face any criminal proceedings?

On one hand you have the opportunity to not allow a pond, thereby reducing your risk of being sued or facing any criminal proceedings to zero for pond-related incidents.

On the other hand you have this [your] current uncertainty about the risk of being sued or facing any criminal proceedings for any theoretical pond-related incidents... and little chance of getting an answer you'll feel is cast-iron protection, for you, from an Internet forum.

But on one foot, I do like fish. Though i do see your point.

I like haddock more than cod. I assume that's the kind of fish you mean? You don't eat Koi, surely?

I meant to look at, I wasn't planning on scoffing the poor little beggers. Although, it is lunchtime, I'm more partial to a sea bream.

I see.

Seems like the pond is more your idea than that of the Tenant. Come on, come clean...! 

If you want a pond, get a pond. We aren't very judge-y around here. Well, some of us are. However, we're all about freedom to watch fish, or do pretty much anything. I say "it's a people business"... it's not about bricks and mortar, really. It's about happiness and relationships. If it's a pond that brings all this together... a pond it must be.

Just thought I'd add my bit - sorry, I would say no! Ponds are hard to keep clean- so for the next tenants, it may be a hindrance rather than appealing! It may become a smelly, mosquito breeding hole! I would suggest a water feature that they can take with them! Then at least if someone face plants in it- it is their water feature!