The garden assistance scheme is for council tenants who have difficulty managing their garden. 

The council arranges for lawns and hedges to be cut at regular intervals during the growing season.    

Who is eligible? 

The service is free to people who are 75 or over, and to younger people who claim disability benefits. 

If you are disabled or have a health condition but do not claim benefits, you can get a letter from your doctor or other professional stating that you are unable to manage your garden. 

If you qualify for the free service and are under 75, you will need to show proof of benefit entitlement. Tenants accessing the scheme should not have anyone living with them who is able to cut grass and hedges. 

There should also not be anyone living nearby, such as a family member or neighbour, who is able to provide support.  

Can I apply if I am not eligible? 

Tenants who have difficulty managing their gardens, but do not qualify for the free service, can apply to access the garden assistance scheme. 

You will have to pay a charge which is added to your rent. The charge is payable for the whole year not just for the period that the work is carried out. The cost is not covered by housing benefit or universal credit.   

What do I need to do before work can start? 

If your garden is overgrown to begin with or has rubbish on it, you may have to pay for it to be cleared before we start gardening for you.   

Service frequency 

How often we cut the grass will depend on weather conditions and how quickly the grass is growing. Hedges are cut twice per year. 

The scheme is managed by the housing management team and the work is carried out by the council’s gardeners.   

Charges for 2024 to 2025 

• £4.47 per week for grass cutting only 
• £0.86 per week for hedge cutting only 
• £5.35 per week for grass and hedge cutting 

The services are carried out during growing season, which is a period of eight to nine months. However, the weekly charge is added to the tenant’s rent account every week for the full 12 months.   

How to apply 

Complete the application form below to apply for the garden assistance scheme. 

Garden assistance scheme application

(PDF 86 KB)

Get in touch

To find out if you qualify, or for further details please speak to one of our housing assistants on 01246 345354 or email garden.assistance@chesterfield.gov.uk.