Imagine facing eviction from your home, not for unpaid rent or property damage, but because your beloved garden was deemed “too cluttered.”
That’s the bizarre reality for one American tenant who has taken to Reddit to air their frustration after receiving a draconian 10-day notice to vacate their apartment.
The ultimatum? Fix what many are calling a “ridiculous” problem immediately, or face homelessness.
The alleged offence? Their backyard was “too cluttered with plants.”
The tenant, who has lived in the same apartment complex for years, described cultivating a “thriving garden” filled with various cacti and desert-friendly plants.
However, a recent inspection by a new leasing manager abruptly changed everything.
“I got a ten-day notice because my backyard was too cluttered with plants,” the tenant wrote, revealing their disbelief.
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A US tenant has been issued a 10-day eviction notice over their ‘too cluttered’ backyard. Source: Reddit
They quickly pointed out that their lease made no mention of such a rule.
Having lived through “about five different ownership companies,” they defiantly told the new management to “f*** off unless they want me to file for intimidation.”
Crucially, the notice made no reference to safety concerns, access issues, or hazards – only that the space appeared “too cluttered.”
“We have paths that are more than wide enough to walk through, but the lease just says our patio space must only have plants and patio furniture and nothing more,” the tenant clarified.
The ambiguity has fuelled a fiery online reaction, with thousands of commenters divided over the agent’s interpretation.
Some questioned if there was more to the story. “I’d be curious to read the complaint,” one user commented.
“If it is a trip and fall hazard, they may have a case. You may need to rearrange your garden.” Another suggested, “Too cluttered is bad communication for tripping hazard. Move the plants to the fences and you should be fine.”
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The pictures and post have now ignited a online debate about tenants rights. Source: Reddit
However, the renter insisted this wasn’t the case, stating the leasing manager hadn’t mentioned any hazards and that clear, wide walking paths were maintained.
They also highlighted that neighbours had never raised concerns, quite the opposite, in fact.
“I asked my neighbours but everyone seems to like my yard, my complex is mostly low-income families and migrant workers who all keep their heads down and tolerate a lot, while also caring about their neighbours,” they said.
“As the partner of someone who has ocd and is very clean-oriented, I’ve been told to straighten up back there for a while haha. And replace the empty pots. So I get that aspect! I don’t get them saying it’s cluttered rather than unkept, which in my eyes are very distinct.”
However, not everyone sided with the tenant.
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Some agreed with the leasing manager, arguing the space simply wasn’t up to scratch. “Can we all just be honest that it looks bad lol?” one commenter posted.
“Not to be a d*ck but it seems like that’s obviously the reason here. They’re saying cluttered because it looks like clutter. There’s a way to have plants and furniture without it looking like a mess.”
Another bluntly stated, “Your patio is a disaster. Dead plants all over. Pots tipped over. Clean it up.”
However, many rallied behind the tenant, arguing the garden had personality and questioning whether landlords should be policing aesthetics at all.
“I only see plants and patio furniture, what a bunch of scrooges,” a supporter commented, adding, “Especially knowing how much careful work goes into those plants.”
English (US) · 