Livery Yard Contract Advice

[Welshchestnutmare]

Hi All,

I gave my LYO the required 2 weeks notice that is stated in my contract on 12th January to end on the 26th January. I have already moved my things and pony to the new yard I just had to go back and clean the stable and disinfect it. The LYO has got quite unreasonable and told me not to go back to the yard and she has already done the stable. Does this imply that she has ended the contract early as I still theoretically can go back until the 26th.

 

[AmyMay]

No it doesn’t.

 

[Red-1]

I don't understand why you would want to go back, when she has kindly cleaned and disinfected the stable for you (presuming that was in the contract by the working of your OP)?

 

[Welshchestnutmare]

I don't understand why you would want to go back, when she has kindly cleaned and disinfected the stable for you (presuming that was in the contract by the working of your OP)?

She hasn't kindly done it, she wants to charge me for doing it!!
It's not that I want to go back but surely she's in breach of the contract not allowing me access

 

[Welshchestnutmare]

No it doesn’t.

But surely they're not upholding the contracted 2 weeks notice period. Doesn't that mean they're in breach of contract?

 

[dogatemysalad]

It implys nothing other than she has cleaned the stable instead of waiting for you to do it. It's not uncommon for liveries to leave dirty stables and never return. I'd thank her for saving you the job.

 

[Welshchestnutmare]

It implys nothing other than she has cleaned the stable instead of waiting for you to do it. It's not uncommon for liveries to leave dirty stables and never return. I'd thank her for saving you the job.

She wants to charge me for doing it?
When we gave notice she was more than amicable and overnight she has become hostile

 

[Patterdale]

But surely they're not upholding the contracted 2 weeks notice period. Doesn't that mean they're in breach of contract?

Why would you want or need to go back?

Sounds like you are looking for ways to force issues to be totally honest.

 

[Welshchestnutmare]

When we spoke to the yard owner we had a conversation about returning if our pony didn't settle, to which they were very agreeable. On the same day we left they cleaned out the stable and told me we had no reason to return. If our pony hadn't settled we wouldn't have been welcome back at the yard leaving us in a very awkward situation.

 

[Wizpop]

Why would you want or need to go back?

Sounds like you are looking for ways to force issues to be totally honest.

Isn’t it simply that the OP is now being asked to pay for the cleaning of the stable, which she was prepared to do but didn’t get chance? I’m presuming that she told the YO she would clean it ?
TBH I’d be miffed too, especially as all was amicable when she left. But possibly just better to pay up and draw a line under the whole issue.

 

[Starzaan]

If a livery left my yard and hadn’t done the stable, I would get my staff to do it and charge for it. I don’t want stables left dirty and not disinfected on my yard.
However, this is why I don’t have DIYs because it’s an absolute nightmare dealing with situations just like this.

 

[Welshchestnutmare]

Why would you want or need to go back?

Sounds like you are looking for ways to force issues to be totally honest.

It's not about forcing issues, its about LYO thinking they can treat people how they deem fit and still expect us to pay out

 

[Welshchestnutmare]

If a livery left my yard and hadn’t done the stable, I would get my staff to do it and charge for it. I don’t want stables left dirty and not disinfected on my yard.
However, this is why I don’t have DIYs because it’s an absolute nightmare dealing with situations just like this.

We left very amicable and I saidbid be back on the Sunday to do my stable which she said was fine. She then sent me a text saying I was not to go back to the yard but still wants me to pay my notice period and the cleaning of the stable. I think it's a little unfair

 

[dogatemysalad]

When we spoke to the yard owner we had a conversation about returning if our pony didn't settle, to which they were very agreeable. On the same day we left they cleaned out the stable and told me we had no reason to return. If our pony hadn't settled we wouldn't have been welcome back at the yard leaving us in a very awkward situation.

It sounds like your YO was proactive in good yard management. Mine would do the same. It doesn't mean you can't return for the remaining notice period.

 

[ihatework]

Hmm … did you tell the YO you would be back to clean the stable? If yes, I wouldn’t pay. If no, I’d chalk it up to communication and pay to keep the peace.

 

[Starzaan]

The thing is, she’s running a business. There are some dreadful yard owners out there, but there are a lot of us that do the job because we adore horses and want to do the best for them.

This doesn’t sound remotely unfair to me. I would just pay the bill and move on. It sounds to me like she’s doing a good job, looking after her yard, and managing it well.

 

[twiggy2]

I wouldn't pay for the cleaning of the stable but would pay the notice period

 

[Welshchestnutmare]

It sounds like your YO was proactive in good yard management. Mine would do the same. It doesn't mean you can't return for the remaining notice period.

She has told us not to return and is charging for the cleaning. Would you pay when not given the chance?

 

[Starzaan]

She has told us not to return and is charging for the cleaning. Would you pay when not given the chance?

I would never take a horse away from a yard having left things unfinished.

 

[Welshchestnutmare]

Hmm … did you tell the YO you would be back to clean the stable? If yes, I wouldn’t pay. If no, I’d chalk it up to communication and pay to keep the peace.

Yes we told her we would be back the next day to sort it out. She then sent a text saying we weren't welcome back at the yard

 

[Welshchestnutmare]

I would never take a horse away from a yard having left things unfinished.

Well that's good for you, we can't all be perfect. The YO agreed and said that was OK.

 

[Starzaan]

Yes we told her we would be back the next day to sort it out. She then sent a text saying we weren't welcome back at the yard

I’m afraid I have done this plenty of times. A livery had handed in their notice and it’s been a welcome relief because they were causing issues for me or my staff. Often it’s an easier way to get someone off the yard without it all kicking off. I have asked plenty of people to leave. It’s always easier to have them leave of their own accord, and then tell them they aren’t welcome back.
This is my home as well as my business. I want to be happy and relaxed here, and I want my staff and clients to be too.

 

[ihatework]

Yes we told her we would be back the next day to sort it out. She then sent a text saying we weren't welcome back at the yard

Well I’d obviously pay the notice period, but I depending on what the charged for cleaning the stable I probably wouldn’t pay on principal. However if it was a nominal fee eg £10 ish, I would pay because it’s a manky job and would have saved me the hassle.

 

[dogatemysalad]

She has told us not to return and is charging for the cleaning. Would you pay when not given the chance?

I've moved yards with two and three horses quite a few times. I always clean the stables immediately prior to leaving, or within a couple of hours while horses are turned out in a paddock or turnout area. It's like leaving a dirty house when you're moving.
Some liveries leave their mess behind and fail to keep promises to return. The stable stands festering while the YO waits. I don't blame your YO.

 

[Welshchestnutmare]

I’m afraid I have done this plenty of times. A livery had handed in their notice and it’s been a welcome relief because they were causing issues for me or my staff. Often it’s an easier way to get someone off the yard without it all kicking off. I have asked plenty of people to leave. It’s always easier to have them leave of their own accord, and then tell them they aren’t welcome back.
This is my home as well as my business. I want to be happy and relaxed here, and I want my staff and clients to be too.

I totally understand if issues are being caused but we were all quite friendly. We sorted her horse for her etc when she was away and she bought for my children for birthdays etc. There were no issues so forever to suddenly become quite hostile is quite upsetting. She knows we wouldn't cause problems and she she's knew the stable would have been left as we found it. I find the whole situation quite sad

 

[ihatework]

I've moved yards with two and three horses quite a few times. I always clean the stables immediately prior to leaving, or within a couple of hours while horses are turned out in a paddock or turnout area. It's like leaving a dirty house when you're moving.
Some liveries leave their mess behind and fail to keep promises to return. The stable stands festering while the YO waits. I don't blame your YO.

But the thing is if that is important to you as a yard owner then your contract should state that the stable is left empty and disinfected on the day of departure. A fee of £X is payable on removal of horse if not done.

In that case the charge is reasonable.

If contact doesn’t say equivalent, livery indicates they will be back next day to do it, yo agrees, then later changed mind. That is not chargeable.
If livery didn’t rock up to do it then that’s different.

 

[Dasher66]

But then if the YO is showing new clients around there’s a dirty stable on show.

 

[twiggy2]

I’m afraid I have done this plenty of times. A livery had handed in their notice and it’s been a welcome relief because they were causing issues for me or my staff. Often it’s an easier way to get someone off the yard without it all kicking off. I have asked plenty of people to leave. It’s always easier to have them leave of their own accord, and then tell them they aren’t welcome back.
This is my home as well as my business. I want to be happy and relaxed here, and I want my staff and clients to be too.

I understand all of that but I think its unreasonable to then charge for the stable to be cleaned out if you have agreed it can wait till the next day.

But then if the YO is showing new clients around there’s a dirty stable on show.

Touch

 

[Equi]

Have you inadvertently moved to a yard of a sworn enemy? That can ruffle many yo feathers. Obviously you’ve had to leave for some reason and some will take it to heart.

For the sake of keeping the peace pay what you owe and move on.

 

[Welshchestnutmare]

But then if the YO is showing new clients around there’s a dirty stable on show.

Then she could have asked and have

Have you inadvertently moved to a yard of a sworn enemy? That can ruffle many yo feathers. Obviously you’ve had to leave for some reason and some will take it to heart.

For the sake of keeping the peace pay what you owe and move on.

We've move to somewhere with more to offer and we can buy our own hay instead of being charged what she thinks we should be using