Can somebody help me rationalize this, please? I need to digest this, and settle down, or go stark raving ping (I am not good at taking these things in a philosofical way, it will be the death of mine).

We rent the lower floor AND GARDEN of a large country house, on the second floor of which restoration work is going on (the workers are employees of the landlady, who does not live here).

Yesterday the workers burnt some rubbish in the leafiest part of the garden scorching three trees and several shrubs, and then dumped three sacks of rubbish over a clump of yellow crown imperials (fritillaria imperialis) 70 cm tall (quite a noticeable plant). This kind of things is happening all the time and we always have been patient and polite and oh so calm, but what is to much is too much so today I went upstair and (quite) calmly complained to the chief of the workers. I showed him the scorched trees (QUITE WELL VISIBLE FROM THE UPSTAIR TERRACE), pointed out that I have been working like a slave for 3 months to make this weed ridden garden green and nice, and you know what the answer was? "I am sorry it's a problem for you, but I really don't have a problem with the burned trees. You made it all green, but THIS (indicating the trees) is "natural". It is not a problem, it's the work of god." All of this with a thin watery pulling-your-leg smile on the face.

What is the *right* attitude in front of such things? I like it here and don't want to have a quarrel with the landlady and have to move out, but .... Should I really just resign to have the garden treated as a landfill for as long as the works go on? Plus being insulted in the face by this imbecile ass? Is there an elegant way to treat such situations?

Costructive opinions are welcome. Actually I am begging for some.

Is the rubbish they're dumping/burning compostable such as sawdust and such or is it actual trash that should be thrown away and hauled off? If it's compostable material, why not work with the construction workers by making a single place for all of the material to be dumped? Kind of like giving a cat a box to crap in. At the very least keep it all in one place versus having it spread all over your garden.

If they're dumping and burning material that should be hauled to a landfill, then the landlord needs to know about it because they're potentially taking value away from her house by leaving piles of rubbish around it.

The amazing stupid thing is that they burned cardboard... yesterday afternoon... and the day for the paper trash picking up was ...today. It was enough to put it into the bin. Too much work. Leaving rubbish around must be a family trait here because we dug PILES of trash in the ground of the house. All sort of stuff. Plastic metal, bones, glasses, cutlery, an old fuel tank (not kidding) and two different road posts (also not kidding). Nobody seem to care a fig. Now that we live here they generally take the rubbish away.... eventually. I only wish that they wd not devastate plants and things in the process.... I wd like to be able to take a walk in the garden without dreading the new and thrilling discoveries.... the point of view of the workers is that they CAN do whatever they want because they work for the landlady and it's her garden...but they MAY consider, as FAVOUR to me, not to burn any more stuff in the premises. Considering that we rent the all garden (as by contract) and we look after all of the garden (as by contract)it is a bizarre opinion. But they won't be budged.

Step 1) Speak again with the workers and do as Buckshot suggests - Create a compost pile/bin for the paper, wood scraps, sawdust and other organic material. Ask them to place the other garbage in proper bins.

Step 2) Go to the landlady -- Explain the damage the workers are doing and the potential cost to her if they continue, including fines from local ordinances against burning and dumping. You may have to do research here. I understand you are under contract to look after the garden, but I assume she pays for any plants and other materials for the garden. Have an estimate ready for the cost of replacing the trees and other plants caused by the workers. Bring pictures and videos. The landlady may not know what is going on.

Step 3) MOVE

MJ

Sounds like you're not going to get much help from the landlord in this case. I guess I'd see if designating a place to pile all the rubbish will work for the contractor. Just tell him you'll clear out a spot that's good for his guys to use and to please put everything there so it isn't spread throughout the yard. Also, if it's anything like here in the US, a 6 pack of good beer goes a long way in getting them to see things more your way.

I could say "I was gonna say that" but it was Buck. Now as for the workers, If you contractualy maintain the garden then you have the right to tell them to not dump in it. You could also do the reaserch and then go to the landlord with the complaint as MJ said.

All good advice....and if that does not help, I will gladly hold them down as you beat them over the head and sholders.

im gonna agree with mj here. especially #2.

beer for construction guys , is also a very good motivator. and i do like the idea of making waste areas.

id just have a light talk with the landlady. point out that you have been labouring on the garden. that they burned all this stuff the day before pick up and damaged the trees and plants youve worked hard to cultivate, and when you talked to the guy. he had a sort of tongue in cheek attitude to share with you.

let her workit out. her authority, her property. if shes seen how nice you must have made it look. perhaps she will raise hell.

cheers
N.

and i dont know how they handle waste pick up there. but here . residential. they take anything no problem. but if you are part of a groundskeeping or construction crew. they make you pay dearly to dispose of waste.

which may be why they burned it.

just a second thought.

Oh trust me these people are drinking way too much of their own accord!!

But I see your point. Yes, we are trying to keep this friendly, it is the best thing for everyone. We relly do not intend to move out of here in any near future. We did a whole heap of work ourselves in the house and garden, and have no intention to waste it for the fault of these idiots. In the worse case we will have to be patient until the renovation upstair is over...

To answer MJ the garden was already established in a sort of incapable and gone-wild way. The damaged plants are not mine (they have not damaged any of MY plants yet, that day One of them will go to hospital and I to jail and the issue will be solved once and for all). But I did put work in those plants: pruning out dead and weak branches clearing brambles (scratchy job), weeding out mountains of nettles, breaking the soil, fertilizing (my fertilizer), reseeding grass (my seeds) watering (my water), mowing. It is not an economical loss that they are creating to me, but messing up a place where I invested time, sweat and some resources (seeds, water, fertilizers) to make it better. A place where I LIVE. It is not very respectful. ANd while we are not above bringing away rubbish ourselves if we need to (we did, often, and did not complain, so far), the burning is a bit more difficult to fix. But the more frustrating thing is their attitude when I point out the problem. What problem?

Still -- you have agreed to look after the garden so the Landlady does think there is financial benefit to having you there. A well maintained garder is a plus for home value (at least here in the US it is) and you are working to increase value to her home/investment. The damage these boobs are causing are DECREASING the value of the home/investment and the owner needs to know. If nothing else - -you have used your own ferterlizer on the trees and other plants as well as invested a lot of sweat-equity in the property. You have every right to talk with the landlady. If she does not listen then that may be an indication of tough times ahead.

MJ

quote:

You have every right to talk with the landlady. If she does not listen then that may be an indication of tough times ahead.

Yup. We will talk, and weigh the reaction quite carefully. I am glad of this exchange on the boards, it helped me to cool down BEFORE talking to the landlady and to put things a bit clearer in my head. We really love thisplace and we are ready to compromise a lot for staying here in PEACE. But these stupid behaviour ar of no benefit for anyone involved.

Thanks a lot for reading and commenting.
Love, K

most landlords are agreeable folks....and even more agreeable if they think you're adding value to their property.

i think you may be pleasantly surprised.