'They want me to do this at no extra cost': Homebuyers demand seller leaves lawn decor and redo landscaping before move-in, seller shuts it down legally when they threaten to back out of sale

Author image for Isabella Penn
Isabella Penn
May 3, 2025 3:00 PM EDT

Having a lawn can be one of the most tedious parts of homeownership. Every summer, you're expected to magically transform your yard into a Better Homes & Gardens photoshoot. You have to redo the flower beds, plant some colorful perennials, pull weeds that seem like they keep growing overnight, and spend an absurd amount of money on mulch. No one warned us how expensive dirt was going to be when you acquire a house. And don't forget about mowing the lawn every single week, or your neighbors will start giving you the side-eye for letting it get a little too wild.

That said, there's nothing better than sitting outside with your beverage of choice, soaking in the peaceful vibe of your freshly landscaped oasis. It's one of those hard-earned joys of homeownership. But what happens when you're selling, and the people buying your house try to skip that whole effort by making you do it for them? AFTER the sale is already in motion? 

Advertisement

  • Apparently, the homeowner's beautiful lawn was one of the selling points of the house for the new buyers. So if they're going to buy it, the homeowner better make sure to leave all of her lawn decor and plant flowers before their arrival. Because yeah, that's how it works…

  • SOLD
    via Getty Images For Unsplash+
  • So I'm moving soon. I bought a house and can't wait!!! Recently the people who bought my current house stopped over which I always thought was a no no unless you are selling to people who you actually know. Which is not the
    via Just_A_RN
  • case. The reason for their visit was because they want me to leave my lawn decorations including my planters and they also want me to landscape the lawn for them. They said they saw pictures of the
    via Just_A_RN
  • lawn last year and that was one of the selling points. And they want me to do do this at no extra cost to them. I told them no that the planters were very expensive and the cost to
    via Just_A_RN
  • Cheezburger Image 10500961792
    via Cj For Unsplash+
  • buy the plants and do the work was more than I wanted to take on when I have a new lawn that I need to take care of. They said that they may need to back out of the sale if thats the case.
    via Just_A_RN
  • Here's the thing. I know a few things about Real Estate. My mother and her husband work in Real Estate and so I have picked up on a few thing. Both houses are under contract and if they were to try and pull out of the
    via Just_A_RN
  • sale then I can exercise a no cancellation clause. I could either sue them or force the sale of the house on them. I told them this as well. I also told them it's a small lawn and between the two of
    via Just_A_RN
  • them it wouldn't take long to do and they can add their own touches. They called me an a hole. And one of my neighbors told me I should just do it to leave
    via Just_A_RN
  • the house on a good note. I told them I'm already leaving on a good note because I'm scrubbing all the rugs, washing the windows and painting and fixing holes. aside from just the general deep cleaning.
    via Just_A_RN
  • So AITA for not leaving my planters and landscaping when I move?
    via Just_A_RN
  • carl63_99 NTA. I would contact my listing agent and talk to them about this. That buyer
    via carl63_99
  • should NOT be coming around talking to you about anything outside the contract.
    via carl63_99
  • catskilkid NTA If the sales contract did not say that planters were being
    via catskilkid
  • left, there is NO obligation to do so. Landscaping the lawn is the new owner's responsibility (again unless there is a provision saying otherwise, which would be weird, but very noticeable). They
    via catskilkid
  • are demanding what they want, NOT what they are entitled to. Tell the neighbor he can help them and be on great terms with his new neighbors, if you even speak to them again.
    via catskilkid
  • ImpossibleReason2204 The buyers are ridiculous. Planters are not part of a home sale and their request about the lawn is delusional.
    via ImpossibleReason2204
  • You're right, they cannot beck out now without consequences. NTA, this isn't your problem.
    via ImpossibleReason2204
  • CanlStopAdulting Now NTA It's literally part of the contract as to what stays and what goes. If they wanted the
    via CanlStopAdultingNow
  • planters, they should have. stated that in the contract. And that's why you have a contract because it prevents this type of thing. I would figure out an estimate on the planters or find similar planters that they can purchase.
    via CanlStopAdultingNow
  • I mean it's too bad there's not companies or people they could hire to do the landscaping and lawn. care. Like a landscaping company.... Oh wait! I think there are a few out there.
    via CanlStopAdultingNow
  • Tell your neighbor if she wants to buy them new planters to build Goodwill. She's welcome to but wanting to give away your stuff to her neighbors is not something you're going to do.
    via CanlStopAdultingNow
  • They're trying to threaten you and I really doubt they're going to back out on a contract because of this. It's going to cost them and they still have to find another house to buy.
    via CanlStopAdultingNow
  • If they do, my guess is they really went out of the contract for some other reason and they're using this as an excuse.
    via s

Want More? Follow Us and Add Us as a Preferred Source on Google.

Tags

neighbors plants house yard neighborhood-drama petty revenge for sale real estate contract landscape moving new homebuyers entitled people
Scroll Down For The Next Article