A 'what would you do?' question.

arwenplusone

arwenplusone

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Not a very exciting one I'm afraid, but here we go anyway.

I own a horsebox, which I bought, 50/50 with my best mate. We go halves on everything - MOT/repairs etc.

Unfortunately she has not had the opportunity to use this box at all since her horse went lame six months ago (we've had it since April). I on the other hand have been out in it at least 5 times a month.

We had a couple of issues with it a few months before its MOT which I sorted out, with no help from her (not even an offer to make a phone call and I was running round everywhere). I was a bit cross but she obviously has no desire to sort out a vehicle that she isn't using (I can kind of see her point).

Anyway, I am rambling a bit now so I'll get to the point. Her horse was sadly PTS a few weeks ago. She is going to replace him, but likely not until early next year.

I have just paid the insurance/breakdown on the box - £320.

Should I ask her for any money towards it now or should I wait and ask her to pay half (pro-rata) when she starts using it next year?

We agreed we would go half on everything so I sort of want her to pay half (plus I'm broke) BUT I can't very well ask her when she isn't using it - feels quite unfair so I am leaning towards her not paying yet.

What do you think?

Rhubarb yogurt if you get this far!
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Hard one.
If she isn't using it, then I would say you really ought to pay it yourself.
If it was hers alone se would have the option to SORN it, which she doesnt have as you are using it.
However once she has a new horse and is once again out and about, I would be asking for half the remaining insurance, etc etc
 
Mmmm....tricky position for you!

I would suggest you speak to her and see if she offers to pay etc if she doesn't I think you need to discuss who is paying for what again. I can understand its difficult when she is horseless but if the roles were reversed would you be expecting her to pay for everythng?
 
Personally I wouldn't ask her for anything until she's using the horse box, it wouldn't seem fair especially as you seem to be using it very regularly. Thats just me though, and I am a walkover. But I'd feel mean, especially since she's lost her poor horse and has no need for a box at present.
 
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Personally I wouldn't ask her for anything until she's using the horse box, it wouldn't seem fair especially as you seem to be using it very regularly. Thats just me though, and I am a walkover. But I'd feel mean, especially since she's lost her poor horse and has no need for a box at present.

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Ziggy this is exactly how I feel, and is probably what I will do, however I do kind of feel a bit walked over sometimes myself about these things so need a good old HHO second opinion.
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Cheers guys.
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umm, I would broach the subject with her definately. Although it's really sad about her horse and the fact she hasn't used it, the lorry is still half hers and therefore in my opinion she should contribute half for the basics. If for any reason you weren't using the lorry so much, you would still have to pay half, wouldn't you?
I think just tread carefully, money matters can be so difficult with friends I think.
Hope that helps
 
Personally I would take over the running costs until she starts using it again.

I would say major repairs should still be shared between the two of you though, as she could insist on selling the box in theory I suppose?

Regarding the Insurance/Tax, I would be asking her to pay half as it arises. She still half owns the vehicle so it's in her own interests IMO and you are not the reason for her not using the box after all, so you shouldn't be out of pocket.

That's how I see it in my simple brain anyway!
 
I wouldn't approach your friend at the moment at all: if it were me had lost the horse, it would upset me hugely and I would feel used, which I'm sure you don't mean to make her feel.
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I would pay it, use the box and as you say, get her contributing again when she gets new horse.
 
sorry but you both bought it so like you both agreed half down the middle for everything its not your fault she hasnt used it so she should cough up shel want it when she buys her new horse i have a feeling shel let you pay the bills on it as long as your going to do you do need to speak to her n tell her she owes you it doesnt matter if she isnt or hasnt used it you bought it between you n it has to be kept on the road
 
hmm.. people seem a bit split on this!

I will pay it for a few months I think to allow her to get over her horse being PTS but it is not fair that I pay it because she decides to not buy another horse til spring. She is trying to save money and have some holidays but then I am between jobs and stony broke!
 
Yes the problem is no doubt, that you have budgeted for half a lorry not a whole one. And now you are paying the whole lot.

It's sad what happened to her horse, but not your fault and you shouldn't be left short as a result.

IMO anyway!!

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I personally would phrase it like this:

Things that keep the vehicle ticking over, like the MOT and any repairs etc, I think you should go half and half on, because when you come to sell it, obviously you'll both take halves.

But then, things like petrol, damage that your horse might make....cant think of other things, but like insurance maybe? I would pay for yourself, until such a time that she starts using it.

Does that make sense? So the things that afford the lorry when you would come to sell it, she pays her half, the general day to day, I think you should pay for. That makes sense?

Hannah xxxx
 
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I personally would phrase it like this:

Things that keep the vehicle ticking over, like the MOT and any repairs etc, I think you should go half and half on, because when you come to sell it, obviously you'll both take halves.

But then, things like petrol, damage that your horse might make....cant think of other things, but like insurance maybe? I would pay for yourself, until such a time that she starts using it.

Does that make sense? So the things that afford the lorry when you would come to sell it, she pays her half, the general day to day, I think you should pay for. That makes sense?

Hannah xxxx

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What she said.
 

She has paid for tax and MOT (though wasn't happy about it) but the insurance has only just come up. It is in my name as I carried on the insurance from my old wagon, but then the lorry is in my name too (has to go a one of us as we are not a business)

It could get complicated though if I start not asking her to pay.

I mean, if my horse goes lame next year, do I ask her for some money back if I am not using the lorry....?

I wouldn't, but that's the same sort of principle...
 
I wouldn't share a box.
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If I did, and we agreed equal shares because circumstances like this always arise, I'd expect, and would ask her to honor equal shares. If your horse were out of action long term and the situation was reversed, would you be happy to keep paying as normal?
 
I think she should pay half the insurance (if it was stolen or written off she would want half the money) but you should pay for breakdown recovery and road tax. Any MOT maintenance should be shared.
 
If it was me I'd expect to pay half of all costs as I would own half the box and the responsibility for that doesn't just stop because I've not been able to use it.
 
What happens if one of you wants to sell the box? That's crucial isn't it? If she would get 50% of the money, then she has to pay 50% of the maintenance, tax etc now. Presumably you both decided to share a box to make the cost of owning one easier, so she needs to treat it as if she owns it.
Keep all the receipts. One day soon when you are sitting chatting she is going to mention something about losing her horse, and when she does you need to say "What do you want to do about the box?". You either buy her half off her, minus her half of the essential running costs, or sell it and she gets her half minus that money.
If you share you can't get into how often anyone has used the box. That would be irrelevant if you owned it alone would it?
Oh, and when you do sort this out, draw up a proper agreement. Mind you, you have the winning hand if everything is in your name.
 
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