How much can I rent stables for?

[Chrisl84]

Hi,

I’ve recently bought a house in the North of England with some land and stables.
I won’t have a need for all of them so I’m considering renting them out (DIY).

I have a spare 2 1/2 acres of land along with:

4 stables Or 3 stables and a tack room.
Lighting in all stables.
Water supply
Floodlit Arena 40x20
Hay barn
Port for electric fencing

The stables are essentially part of my home albeit detached so would only want one family to use them as I don’t want lots of visitors.

I have a full-time job so don’t want to be too involved but wondered how much should I charge if I chose to do it.

 

[AmyMay]

You only have enough acreage for two horses tops, so bear that in mind when renting out.

 

[PurBee]

To be honest, i’d want the 2.5 acres for 1 horse, maybe 1 horse and a mini at a push, to be able to turn-out as much as possible without wrecking the land. Have the option to strip graze etc.

If 3 horses renting 3 of the stables were using the 2.5 acres, you’ll struggle to keep the land good for ‘decent’ grazing. Grazing would have to be severely restricted to keep the land good.

 

[Chrisl84]

Thanks

 

[chaps89]

Depends on the horses tbh. I have 2 ponies out 24/7 on an acre and a half (just under) and it’s too much grass really.
Field next to mine is maybe 2 acres and has 2 TB horses on it 24/7 and they’re struggling now, having to hay a lot.
It will also depend on the ground, if it’s clay that’s not helpful, if it’s sandy and well draining it make turnout much easier to manage.
I don’t know about northern prices but I’d say sole use for 1 person with 2, maybe 3 ponies/horses I’d expect £250-300 a month for what you describe (based on it being £500+ in the south east)

 

[I'm Dun]

I cant think of a single yard I've been on that has 2.5 acres for 1 or 2 horses. I have my own little yard and have 3 horses on just under 3 acres. I'd love more land in winter, but theres still too much grass in summer. Find out what the local DIY livery price is and then charge roughly 20% more as a premium for having their own place. You will be inundated, so you can pick carefully.

 

[FestiveFuzz]

I’ve always followed the rule of 1.5 acres for the first horse and 1 acre per horse after that, but would always want to err on the side of too much grazing rather than too little. We have 9 acres for 3 horses which gives us ample grazing and the ability to ensure our paddocks are all rested for part of the year.

Pricing will very much depend on your local area, but be aware renting part of your facilities may mean you’re liable for business rates.

 

[adamntitch]

If it was me I would look for an older person maybe has a retired horse that's looking for a quiet life or some one with a horse that needs restricted grazing could they share grazing with yours so you could rest other areas

 

[Ali27]

If I was you, I wouldn’t rent out any stables/ grazing! I would just enjoy being on my own! I have 4.64 acres with stables for my two good doer ponies and have too much grass but will get sheep on or cut hay in Summer rather than have anyone with horses sharing with me!

 

[SussexbytheXmasTree]

I keep two large horses on two acres and they’re out 24/7 at least 6 months a year. It’s just enough although we do have some spare paddocks that we all use to rest ours for a few weeks in summer. This year was fab for grass but the last two years when it was really dry I was feeding hay in summer as well as winter. I pay £175 per horse in the south. So for £350 I get 4 fenced paddocks of my own plus time-share of spare paddocks. A 30/60 school, lots of storage fits approx 50 small bales and two pallets of pellets plus separate feed and equipment storage, heated rug-room and tea-room/tack room. Direct access to amazing off-road hacking. All maintenance done although it’s a bit hard to get it done sometimes.

If you do decide to rent out I’d probably try to find one person with maybe two horses/ponies rather than have multiple people to deal with.

 

[SantaVera]

Perfectly doable for 3 horses plus a tack room, people need somewhere to keep things. I would rent to one person and ban any subletting. I would charge£400 to£500 a month and make sure you have insurance and everything in writing and get payment by direct debit.

 

[honetpot]

Perfectly doable for 3 horses plus a tack room, people need somewhere to keep things. I would rent to one person and ban any subletting. I would charge£400 to£500 a month and make sure you have insurance and everything in writing and get payment by direct debit.

And a repairing lease, which included manure removal. For a quiet life, I would let someone have it for sheep grazing, to keep it tidy.

 

[Clodagh]

Police the people incredibly carefully. Many horse people are nuts. ?

 

[MotherOfChickens]

The only reason I can see for doing it, would be to have another person available to help out if/when needed or you are a sociable type who wants company hacking. I would not. You don’t have much land-it’s a nice parcel for 2/3 horses. So personally, if I had to, I would look to rent to one other with a reciprocal agreement about holiday cover etc. And vet carefully and take reference.

 

[SussexbytheXmasTree]

Police the people incredibly carefully. Many horse people are nuts. ?

Including yard owners!

 

[SussexbytheXmasTree]

I recognise people can be difficult but I always think it’s sad that people who are fortunate enough to now have their own place after years of being a livery themselves suddenly become anti-livery as soon as the boot is on the other foot.

 

[windand rain]

References from professionals is essential to make sure they are good payers. Direct debit is also the best way and make sure you put in a trial clause with no more than a months notice. You could easily house 2 or three native ponies preferably barefoot and allow 24/7 turnout. What you need to consider is wear and tear on the land and its ability to withstand the footfall. As to one person renting and not too many visitors I expect that woud be impossible as family/friends/instructors etc come along regularly in many cases. Also if DIY your contract needs to state exactly what repairs and improvements you will carry out and which you expect the tenants to do. We rent land and we do all repairs caused by the ponies the landlord is supposed to do the rest but as we are retire he usually provides the tools and materials and we do the job he is a busy working man and if we waited for him stuff wouldn't get done

 

[SEL]

I recognise people can be difficult but I always think it’s sad that people who are fortunate enough to now have their own place after years of being a livery themselves suddenly become anti-livery as soon as the boot is on the other foot.

That's me ? and honestly it's because of years on livery that I don't want to do it. I currently have 1 inherited livery and she's lovely but even that is hard work and when her ancient horse calls time I'll be relieved to have the place to myself.

OP a yard set up like yours in the South East would be around 400pcm depending on how good that acreage is - wet and unusable in winter you'd be looking at less.

 

[teapot]

I recognise people can be difficult but I always think it’s sad that people who are fortunate enough to now have their own place after years of being a livery themselves suddenly become anti-livery as soon as the boot is on the other foot.

Or from a business point of view, we know it's just not worth the hassle!

 

[milliepops]

I recognise people can be difficult but I always think it’s sad that people who are fortunate enough to now have their own place after years of being a livery themselves suddenly become anti-livery as soon as the boot is on the other foot.

i think its probably from the experience of rubbing along with other liveries tbh.
I was lonely when i had my horses at home and it would have been nice having someone else around for solidarity/company and maybe a bit of help now and then but finding the right person would be tricky.

 

[blitznbobs]

i think its probably from the experience of rubbing along with other liveries tbh.
I was lonely when i had my horses at home and it would have been nice having someone else around for solidarity/company and maybe a bit of help now and then but finding the right person would be tricky.

Yes when you have the right person it’s heavenly but when it’s the wrong person….

 

[LittleRolo]

I paid £150 a month somewhere very similar just outside Wetherby Yorkshire