Rant! warning long but major advise needed please

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catherine22

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I need you help, mainly from someone who has run a yard before.
I currently run a yard which everyone seems to be happy on as do all their horses. It is very friendly and everyone knows everyone.
Theres a couple of people on there who have recently started taking the p*ss, i'll give you some examples
1.All water troughs have a tap/hose next to the so all you need to do is turn it on and wait for it to fill, some people who I know are in no rush will still phone/txt me to TELL me to fill up the water if im not already there instead of doing it themselves (they r DIY livery)
2. Recently they have been getting hay from else where as my farmer had not cut our hay yet and they wanted new hay-no problem, then decided hay too expensive from other place so wanted mine (which had now been cut) storage is very limited at my yard so I only order in 20/40 bales at a time which i did, now they have decided they dont want my hay any more and have gone back to other hay (nothing wrong with any of the hay btw) so today they had probably 20 bales delivered into our small shed where the liveries store there hay and they have a pallet each 9not much I know but it works for everyone else) now 20 bales dont fit on 1 pallet so they have literally filled the barn with in meaning other people cannot get to their hay
3.if they know the school is booked for lessons etc they will jump/lunge/freeschool until 3 mins before the lesson then put horse away then saunter back and expect everyones put the jumps away coz they are waiting for their lessons. grrr
4. smoking in the yard (not just in cars which we just about allow)
5.storing tools in wrong place

I could go on, everyone has signed a contract agreeing to the rules etc which says we each have 30 days to terminate agreement. My question is what would you do, my ideal solution would be to ask them to leave as they have caused problems for a while but i dont know how to go about it (and I already know people who would want their stables so being empty wouldnt be a problem.) As I keep telling them and reminding them of the rules but they just blatently disregard them or just dont listen to me.

For those of you that have ever run a yard have you ever asked anyone to leave and how did you go about it etc?

(also to say they have been told on numberous occasions about certain things)

Well done for getting this far...now what to do??
 
I do not run a yard -but I do see this as very simple. Whatever the rights and wrongs of this - you are no longer happy with these people on your yard. I would just give them their notice - be fair with them - let them have time to find a new yards - but ask them to leave. That's your perogative as it is your yard - life's too short to let people make you miserable in your own place.
 
Thank you, I actually avoid going up at the times I know they are going to be there which means i miss out on seeing a lot of other people at the same time.
How do I go about it, ie what should I say to them (obv in a letter!!)
 
I'm good friends with my YM. Every yard has a few problem liveries, and we have a few problems with people being inconsiderate and not pulling their weight.

A Few months ago my YM wrote a letter which she gave to every livery regardless, which listed all the problems that have been happening recently. She listed them 1.2.3 and after each one, she wrote that she knew that this did not apply to everyone and she thanked those people for their cooperation. It really worked on our yard and although it's now not perfect things are better.

The problem with asking them to leave for it is that you would have to justify that they are breaking the T&C's of their contract. Are the problems in talked about in the contract?
 
I have never ran a yard or even had my horse on livery but its your yard and your rules and if they are violating the rules then you have every right to ask them to leave. Although from the above list I would say the smoking is the only one that I would certainly chuck them off for as it is a danger to the yard, the horses and the contents of the yard.
 
If I were you, I'd try to sort it out first - have a chat with them, and explain how you feel. Or if they are upsetting other liveries too, have a yard meeting and let your liveries formulate rules for them all to adhere to (with subtle guidance aka manipulation from you!)
They may be a bit inconsiderate, but do you really want pissed off soon to be ex-liveries on your yard for the next 30 days of their notice period?
Good luck either way.
S
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Surely your contract has a termination clause on both sides - saying that the contract can be terminated with xx amount of notice on either side.

I would just right a simple letter saying that as per the clause in the contract that you are giving them notice to quit the yard by such and such a date. You can be nice and say that if they need a week or so more they can discuss it with you - or you can just stick to the terms of the contract.

Personally, although I know this is hard, I would hand them the notice and explain what it was. Once done it's done and you will feel very relieved.
 
our liveries are great but have had probs in the past
we give them a few warnings and if they dont listen then they are out as simple as,that scares them in to changing and most try but soon fall back in to taking the mick so then they have to leave,we dont have an unhappy yard and have a waiting list,so there is no problems with filling their space
 
I agree with previous poster in that you could give a letter to all. But it could lead to more problems. If you have spoken to the people concerned and they have ignored you then I would just give them 30 days notice. I dont see why you have to give a reason. Keep it short and to the point, ie. Your livery is terminated from....Im sure someone could advise a good letter... but dont give reasons as any reasons given surely could be defamatory. Put it this way, I rent a house out and the agreement in 3 months notice either way. Neither party has to give a reason if the correct amount of notice is served.I would only have to give a reason if I wanted the tenant out before the notice period, and vice versa.

If you have taken a months deposit in advance there should not be an issue with payment for the last month.

If you havent then you could find yourself out of pocket but you have to live with that. Then rewrite the contract so everyone is clear as to what is expected from the beginning.

The thing is, if you dont make a stand the snowball will start to roll and you could find that you lose your good liveries.

ETA the smoking is something that you could possibly quote but maybe you need to put up lots of no smoking stickers first! That may be enough to make them go anyway!
 
I think I would give them notice to leave. They're upsetting you and probably your other liveries and that's not fair. You've told them the yard rules and they have consistently gone against them when everyone else (presumably) complies. It's awful when there's an atmosphere on a yard, so it's best to get rid.
 
Thanks for all you advise, rules which they 'break' are the smoking only in the designated areas
not storing tools in designated areas except when in use
dogs must be kept on alead at all times

We tried having a meeting but it didnt seem to achieve anything they all just said what they wanted and didnt listen to anyone else.
We have also tried letters and talking to them but only certain people listen to them and any bbqs/parties we have, the certain people dont come to and join in with the yard

Im answering my own question really arnt I?!

Thank you Paintbox that what seems to be happening at my yard, I just need to not be a wimp and follow it through.
Thats my biggets worry losing my good liveries
 
no probs catherinef,yes you dont want to lose the good ones because the bad ones are taking over and you dont want to end up with a yard full of rule breakers either,just be strong and get rid of the problem before it gets worse.
you have to be firm but fair and as they are not being fair to you then they should leave,remember it should be fun and a pleasure to run but also its still a business and your lively-hood !!!
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Hi Catherine. Sorry to hear they are giving you grief. I can spot your weakness a mile off, no offence.

You are in the same position that I was a few years ago. Running a yard is a learning curve and because it is your livelihood and you need to make money, you are probably bending over backward to help people to make them stay!

This is exactly what happened to me. Some of the liveries spotted my weakness too and took advantage of it. Liveries will come and go and I had to learn to stand back, adopt a certain attitude and occasionally click my heals. The respect level increased considerably. You must let these people know that your rules are 'non-negotiable' and not up for discussion. Once you have stamped your authority a couple of times it does become easier.

The worst thing in the world is picking and choosing your times when you go out onto the yard because there are people you want to avoid. Once you have confronted them (in private) and explain that you are in charge, exerting your authority, I promise that things will change for the better.

Feel the Fear and DO IT ANYWAY
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I'll come and tell them off, or ask them to leave for you!
I was in the same position last year with 2 of my liveries, both diy, started off with the texts', can you bring him in pm, and feed, oh and change his rug. Then, can you feed him, turn him out am, oh and put his most heaviest rug on. This carried on until I was doing everything but riding him!
Other livery was rude, she made personal coments about my family, sometimes didn't speak to you for days, even if you asked her something. Needless to say they were both asked to leave. Take a deep breath, you'll feel much better when you have told them!
 
Give them both a written letter of notice, stating the clause in their contract with you. Enclose a list of the yard rules and state that they have been broken eg, smoking on yard, dogs not on leads etc. therefore you have no choice but to terminate their contract with you and give them their notice.

It's hard but these things have to be done. I have had to do this with liverys on our yard previously and although it's hard, it's fair and I have never had any backlash as a result of it.
 
I'm a bit surprised by the hay storage problem. Every yard I've been at allocates a set space to each livery and that's it. You can put whatever you can fit into your space, but you can't go outside it. Do you do this or is it a free-for-all in your barn? It would be a good idea to draw up separate areas for everyone. One yard I was at actually built little wooden partitions but usually it's just a line painted on the floor/wall.
 
Like I said before everyone has their own pallet with their name above it so they know who's stuff is whos and how much room they all have i.e dont go off the pallet and block the walk way through the barn!!!
They can store what ever they like on it hay,shavings etc
 
Seems pretty clear to me. I would meet them at the yard and give them their notice. The letter is easy
Dear
This is to confirm I am terminating your livery agreement with one month's notice from......... This means that you must vacate the yard by ................

That's all you need to say.
Meanwhile, I would tell them that as they have taken over storage that they are not entitled to, they are causing a safety hazard. Therefore you will be removing everything that is not on their pallet at the weekend and dumping it in a corner somewhere
 
Thats horrible but they really are taking the P***. Its horrible i know, i don't run a yard but I think its pretty clear what you need to do. Give tem their notice and advise them that any hay etc not on their pallet will be removed by the weekend.

As you said, you have plenty of people looking for the stables and you are better off without liveries like that.

Good luck!
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If you are trying to run your livery as a business, I would probably give them a final warning first--e.g. "it has come to my attention that you are still not following some of the rules (list rules broken). This is creating a hazard at the yard and inconveniencing others in the business. If you continue in breach of the stated rules, I shall be forced to terminate your livery as per clause X of the contract."

Firstly that makes the termination less personal, ayou have explained to them why their actions are harming your business, and secondly it warns them that a specific act is going to lead to specific consequences. If I were you I would probably want them out of my yard regardless of whether they follow the rules from now on or not, but if they believe the termination is personal they will resent it all the more. The equestrian community is not that big, and it is very easy for a couple of dissatisfied people to smear your good name.
 
Sounds like you have tried asking them nicely and they ignore you.

I would now terminate the contract stating the non-smoking policy being breached but leave the rest - that is enough based on H&S to get rid of them.

What you need to do is to remember this is a business and should always be run as a business - efficient, friendly - but not friends. No favorites, simple rules to be followed.

We have allocated storage space, occasionally I will agree with another livery to store some of my hay in their space for a week, so I can get a full load delivered, but it is by agreement and I would not dream of doing what they did.

Smoking is banned everywhere on the premises - even outside. The school must be vacated on time - including cleared unless an agreement is reached with the next person who has booked. School must be poo picked and all jumps etc removed when finished.

Sounds like these people have no respect for you, other liveries and will continue to do as they please.

Find new liveries and make sure you start on a business footing with a clear understanding of your rules.

I would advise them that they have 24 hours to put their hay in their allocated space or remove it from the premises, failing which it will be put outside and extra rent will be charged.
 
I've skipped reading a few posts so if I repeat anything do excuse me..

I would go through the 3 stages,

Verbal warning
Letter
Notice to leave.

That way you have given the person in question ample opportunity to adhere to their contract, it is then their downfall if they choose to ignore these warnings.

Once other liveries see that you are serious you may find they start to have more respect and consideration.
 
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