Livery Yard Notice Period

[justine1559]

I’m pretty sure I know the answer but I moved to a new yard just over three weeks ago and the daily turnout I was assured of, turns out to be daily turnout unless it’s rained or it’s raining!! Needless to say I’m fairly annoyed but fortunately I’ve found a yard to move to.

My question is, do I need to give a month’s notice? As a rule I would, but I feel I’ve been completely misled on something crucial and resent paying an extra month, note I haven’t signed a contract.

 

[SusieT]

Not if they misled you and aren't providing the service..

 

[blitznbobs]

If you’ve only been there 3 weeks and no written contract then no notice is necessary… they can’t even argue that you were paying monthly …. Cos you’ve not got that far yet

 

[justine1559]

Not if they misled you and aren't providing the service..

Thank you, really appreciate you taking the time to reply, and the response, which makes me realise I’m not being completely unreasonable.

 

[justine1559]

If you’ve only been there 3 weeks and no written contract then no notice is necessary… they can’t even argue that you were paying monthly …. Cos you’ve not got that far yet

Thank you! Really appreciate the reply and some really helpful factual points.

 

[PeterNatt]

As you have not made a verbal contract or signed a written contract you can simply leave without giving notice.

 

[PinkvSantaboots]

I would just go once I had found something.

 

[RHM]

I would just leave and have found myself in this situation in the past. You have my sympathies! It’s so annoying!

 

[ycbm]

I would leave but make sure I very politely explained why in writing (text/email will do).

Something like "With regret I need to move Dobbin to a place where he can go out daily. As I explained to you before we arrived, daily turnout is essential for him, and now that I have found that your promised daily turnout is only on dry days, then I'm afraid the yard won't work for me."
.

 

[MiJodsR2BlinkinTite]

Feeling your pain. It feels like this yard is very short of grazing and/or overgrazed with a lot of horses on a tiny plot, and that ANY amount of rain is going to mean mud everywhere and what there is will then be thoroughly mulched up. YO is obviously trying to prevent this from happening.

I am a YO and if this had been the case on my yard I would have explained this to you before you came to the yard; it is unfair to suddenly issue this decree now you have taken the livery spot IMO. I always aim to be transparent, no point in bumming up the yard and giving potential liveries BS; honesty always the best policy, and that goes for liveries being honest about their horses too, and what it is they want. In 30yrs of doing livery I've only ever had two who left suddenly: one I asked to go because she was neglecting her horse (thought it was perfectly acceptable to shut it in the stable for the weekend and go away); and another who stayed for three days and then hoofed off coz she was afraid the sheep on the pasture were going to eat all her horses' grass - this in spite of there being sheep on-pasture when she came to view and being told they weren't going anywhere - as soon as she arrived she demanded the sheep be moved from "her" portion forthwith, and when we say sorry but nope she got her arse in her hand and departed, suddenly, one morning at 0530hrs. Interestingly she didn't think I'd know she'd have done it, but it was my one morning of the week when I have to do an early-morning and saw her sneaking off! She hadn't given any notice and I'd have gone out as normal and found horses all gone, and would then have worried about what had happened. Crafty little weasel! and totally irresponsible. But I digress......

If you have not signed a contract then you cannot be bound by one (and tbh they're only a piece of paper at the end of the day and not enforceable as there is not legislature to back up this kind of contract, unlike Landlord & Tenant situations where there IS legal in place). If you do not wish to leave with bad air around then you could always say you are leaving and ask the YO if you could perhaps pay up to the end of the week. No more. That is however being generous, and you do not need to.

Good luck at your new yard.

 

[ycbm]

If you have not signed a contract then you cannot be bound by one (and tbh they're only a piece of paper at the end of the day and not enforceable as there is not legislature to back up this kind of contract, unlike Landlord & Tenant situations where there IS legal in place).

Sorry MJ, but I don't think any of this is true. A contract can be verbal, the problem being that you need to be able to prove it was said. But if you've got a recording or reliable witnesses, then it's an enforceable contract. I think unwritten contracts also exist if certain things have always been that way. So if you paid livery for a year, once a month, then you have effectively accepted a contract that your notice period is one month. On the other hand, if your yard owner removes turnout with no notice and you've had daily turnout for a year then you don't owe any notice if you leave immediately. I think yard owners mostly realise that taking a livery to court may not be the best thing for their business, but it doesn't mean they can't.

Contracts, written or verbal, are enforceable in Civil Courts, it's what they do day in day out.
.

 

[justine1559]

Thanks everyone for your replies, great to get advice and support. mijodsr2blinkintite you’re spot on, there is not much land to horses and it’s anlready overgrazed, so I now understand the issue. As you said it should have been explained when I went to view the yard as I would not have moved. I’ve decided to give 2 weeks notice, I meant to do it yesterday but bottled it but I’ve told myself today is the day.
Ycbm, thank you for the suggestion, I definitely want to be polite and ensure it’s clear why I’m going.
On a positive note, I’ve found a wonderful yard to move to with the most amazing turnout!