Advice needed on buying smallholding.

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nikkinoo

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Hi, Im going 2 view a smallholding which has 8 stables which if it is suitable would rent out. DIY or full livery, This has been a dream of mine for years,
So Just wondering what sort of questions i should be asking, i want 2 make a list before i go and let my heart over rule my head.
Any advice greatly appreciated
 
Availibility of Electrics & water come to mind as they are the most expensive to lay on if not present. Check that planning permission is ok for equine use, you may even need to have extra permission to rent out stables as this would be a 'business' not for own/private use. What's the ground like in winter? does it flood etc? The list goes on! How about neighbours? will you have to cope with farm traffic. Think of everything & you will find some questions wont be relevant when you see the place. Good luck.... hope its what you're looking for.
 
I'm guessing you would need permission form the relevant authorities if you are going to rent out stables.

You would probably be liable for business rates and you would have to arrange insurance for public liability.

If the owners are already renting the stables out, you could ask them the costs associated with it.
 
also unless you have lots of resting fields to spread muck on, or a farmer to swap muck with or take it from you, you can be looking at £300 a time for a grab lorry full to be taken away (every 3-4 months for a 10 horse yard with average 8 hours turnout a day).

Business rates is a real killer as you pay it on facilities, not what is being used, so if the boxes are not all full you still pay full bus rates on them all. Which is one of the reasons a lot of yards are overstocked with horses for the amount of grazing, a previous owner builds too many boxes and everyone subsequently has to fill them to pay the business rates on them!
 
brill, i didnt think about flooding on land, and also didnt know i needed permission 2 rent out stables,
Knew id have 2 have all the insurances,
I am trying 2 be sensible but like i said its a dream of mine and dont want 2 drift off in2 daydream land when im there and imagine riding round menage lol.
So far on my list i have things like did the menage and stables have planning, electrics and water on yard? Fencing and boundaries. Any rights of way through land/yard
I have driven past the place so got a rough idea of layout, but you never can tell till you get there.
There is also a mobile home there (static caravan) would this need 2 have permission 2 be there?
 
In theory yes, but if it has been there donkey's years it will probably be OK. But if put there more recently say within the last 5 years I would be asking about it. Unfortunately the experiences of some local authorities with travellers mean it is now one of the more stringently policed areas of planning.

It may be it has been used for seasonal housing of temporary employees and that may be allowed but def needs checking out. Basically regard it as something you may have to remove and therefore dont pay anything in the price for it, unless they can show it is all official and planning are OK with it.
 
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