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aliphi
Bronze Member
69 Posts |
 Posted - 13 Aug 2011 : 09:56:40 AM
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Can anybody suggest what I can do about this as I am extremely worried. My YO gave me notice and I have to leave by 31st August. She now wants me out ASAP because we had a row about my gate being padlocked which I am sure I have a right to do (she cut through the chain the other day). Yesterday I found she had chucked old tiles, plastic light switch, wiring and 3" screws in my gateway where the horses shelter out of the sun. There are 3 gateways in the field & this adjoins my friends field. I have video'd the rubbish before removing the most dangerous items. Does anybody know if she is allowed to come into 'my' field and use it as a dumping ground or is it like a house and I have exclusivity? Any help appreciated and yes I will be ringing the RSPCA in a minute because its a health issue to my Arab and other two mares.
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Edited by - aliphi on 13 Aug 2011 10:06:23 AM
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georgiauk
Platinum Member
United Kingdom
2605 Posts |
Posted - 13 Aug 2011 : 10:14:55 AM
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| If she's resorting to this you need to get them out ASAP, no good fighting her when your horses are at risk... |
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aliphi
Bronze Member
69 Posts |
Posted - 13 Aug 2011 : 10:19:34 AM
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| I totally agree and I have desperately tried to find somewhere even if it is 10 miles from me. I have advertised EVERYWHERE but nothing. |
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barbara.gregory
Platinum Member
United Kingdom
4531 Posts |
Posted - 13 Aug 2011 : 10:29:23 AM
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What she is doing is apalling. However, as I assume that you rent the field from her I think that she would have the right to go in the field. Did you tell her you were going to padlock the gate? If I had a livery and they padlocked the field I would expect them to tell me first and to give me a key so that I could get to their horses in an emergency. However, I would not have cut the chain, I would have asked you for a key to use in an emergency. Do you have a contract? Anyone who genuinely cared about horses would not endanger them by dumping that sort of thing in their field. Where are you? Have you tried the local farmers for any land they may rent out?
Good luck with finding somewhere.
Barbara |
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Kes
Platinum Member
England
1819 Posts |
Posted - 13 Aug 2011 : 10:34:06 AM
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Do you have a written agreement or contract? If you do this should be referred to in this instance.
Ringing the RSPCA won't do anything I'm afraid except inflame the situation further, at you say you have removed the dangerous stuff the issue has been removed and your horse is no longer in danger, I know that sounds infuriating but for anyone who has dealt with the RSPCA you will know that they are there mostly for 'cruelty' and welfare issues only, if you can say that you have a genuine case for cruelty or welfare then fair enough. |
    
Carole & Kes, West Sussex. |
Edited by - Kes on 13 Aug 2011 10:35:19 AM |
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aliphi
Bronze Member
69 Posts |
Posted - 13 Aug 2011 : 10:36:52 AM
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The only gate I padlocked was the one where walkers keep going in and back out of because they think its the footpath. I didnt padlock the other two gates. I didnt have a spare key but said if she had to go through that particular gate I would leave it unlocked on the day she needed access. She ignored that and cut the chain. She never gets involved with the horses so wouldnt need to get to them and if she did there are two other gates.
I have rung everyone out of the Yellow Pages, advertised in the local shops, the newspaper, put adverts on posts and door knocked. I'm in North Devon. Not very horse friendly when it comes to renting out fields I'm afraid. |
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Judith S
Platinum Member
Wales
15686 Posts |
Posted - 13 Aug 2011 : 10:56:25 AM
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Unfortunately as it is her property she probably has the right to remove the padlock, but there are obviously better ways to do this. Unless you have it itemised in your livery agreement that you have exclusive use of a particular field you cannot class it as 'your' field - and even if you could she would still need access in theory for maintenance and emergencies. Most livery agreements say you can have grazing in whichever fields the YO decides are most appropriate at any given time.
She also has a duty of care as she is providing a service that you are paying for, so throwing rubbish in the field is not on - although other than leaving I don't suppose there is very much you can do about it without being there 24/7. Once you have been given notice all she will do is try to make life as awkward as possible, hoping you will leave sooner rather than later. |
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Fee
Platinum Member
2601 Posts |
Posted - 13 Aug 2011 : 10:58:01 AM
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Hmmmm...all sounds like bad communication and frustration. I know the relationship may seem like it's completely broken down and it may seem like the hardest and worst decision but can you not try to communicate with her? At least it may give you more time and stop all this worry and stress until you find a new place. In situations like this it's pretty certain that there has been a lack of communication, misunderstanding and/or lack of empathy on both sides.
For everyone including the horses I'd try this before continuing into battle. It is usual I find that taking what looks like the hardest route initially is the best one in the longer term.
Fee |
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aliphi
Bronze Member
69 Posts |
Posted - 13 Aug 2011 : 11:01:41 AM
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Kes she didnt give me a written agreement, nor the other lady. We dont even have rent books.
Judith she has access to the field, there are two other gates. I locked this one because it is the holiday season (I'm in Devon) and walkers think my field is the footpath. I locked it last year with no problem and she knew why. |
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Quarabian
Platinum Member
Wales
4340 Posts |
Posted - 13 Aug 2011 : 11:09:35 AM
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If you don't have a written agreement you might have more rights than you think.
However, I would talk to her. Unless you saw her dumping the stuff in your field don't blame her. Be nice even if it hurts and tell her you are trying your best to find somewhere. Appologise about the gate even though you thought it was okay. Do what crawling you need to do but buy yourself some time. |
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aliphi
Bronze Member
69 Posts |
Posted - 13 Aug 2011 : 11:21:26 AM
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She told me she was going to dump rubble in the field, but I didnt expect it to be remnants of a conversion or whatever! Before she did this I did tell her I had tried everywhere and was continuing to do so by going further afield. She even told ME who I had been in contact with because sshe had spoken to some farmer and he said I had spoken to him. So she knows I am doing my utmost. I cant understand why she has flipped. I have been there for about 5 years and even helped her decorate her flat, put up stabling for her and when they were snowed in I offered to pick up groceries. It's really really weird.
There is somewhere I might be able to go to temporarily but I just hope she doesnt do anything else before I can get them there. I have no transport so will have to sort that out too. |
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Pheebs
Gold Member
944 Posts |
Posted - 13 Aug 2011 : 11:40:31 AM
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| Have you tried the website Preloved to look for grazing? its very good, worth a try. |
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aliphi
Bronze Member
69 Posts |
Posted - 13 Aug 2011 : 11:50:29 AM
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| Yes I have Pheebs but will have another look now. Thank you. |
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Quarabian
Platinum Member
Wales
4340 Posts |
Posted - 13 Aug 2011 : 12:08:28 PM
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| It does sound weird, but then people can be. Perhaps she has thoughts of planning permission on the field! I can't understand why anyone would dump stuff on their own field. It would encourage fly tippers anyway. |
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aliphi
Bronze Member
69 Posts |
Posted - 13 Aug 2011 : 12:13:33 PM
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| Nobody can get to her land Quarabian. Its down a dead end and these fields are the opposite end of the lane if you see what I mean. The other person has found a field to take hers too but I am really struggling so I think thats why she is getting nasty. Believe me, I want out of there. |
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MinHe
Platinum Member
England
2927 Posts |
Posted - 13 Aug 2011 : 3:38:59 PM
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If you've been there 5 years you have tenant's rights. Contact your horse insurer to see if they have a legal department who can help. I have found these very useful in the past!
Keren |
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cmj
Silver Member
France
383 Posts |
Posted - 13 Aug 2011 : 4:29:45 PM
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Just a thought but is she paying tax on what you give her, ie declaring it?
If not, maybe use this is a bit of a stick to beat her with. Whatever your arguments she should NOT be endangering animals. That is disgusting. |
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Judith S
Platinum Member
Wales
15686 Posts |
Posted - 13 Aug 2011 : 5:19:59 PM
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| Not sure if you would have tenant's rights with a livery situation - you are probably lucky to have been given notice if you do not have any agreement. If the arrangement is cash in hand it is unlikely you would do any good threatening with tax situation as it is more likely to have the opposite effect and put the horse more at risk, as you have no written evidence that you have paid her anything. |
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aliphi
Bronze Member
69 Posts |
Posted - 13 Aug 2011 : 5:27:30 PM
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| Just got back from yard and she hasnt done anything else so hopefully that is the end of it. I doubt very much that she is paying tax. When I moved there I did have my own little book to keep track of when i paid her and I know I still have it somewhere. Fingers crossed she doesn't do anything else so incredibly irresponsible. |
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Gerri
Platinum Member
England
4211 Posts |
Posted - 14 Aug 2011 : 09:54:36 AM
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can you tape the rubble off from the rest of the field If she is renting the field to you then she is taking money from you and putting livestock at risk She sounds absolutely awful and I also would get my horses out of there asap then take steps against her |
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Barribarrs
Bronze Member
Scotland
212 Posts |
Posted - 14 Aug 2011 : 12:03:58 PM
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| Have you tried local solicitors, particularly 'country' ones - i.e. deal with farms, etc? I've had livery issues and I've finally secured land via Strutt & Parker (I know they have branches in England too) as they are agents for lots of trusts and estates. I'm now leasing 34 acres at £100 per acre per year which is far cheaper than the livery I've been paying. You might also want to try to find the solicitors who deal with church land. And if you have a local mart, ask them too. Hope you find something soon. You could also find out your rights - call Citizens Advice - re: land and the fact you've been there continuously for 5 years. |
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aliphi
Bronze Member
69 Posts |
Posted - 16 Aug 2011 : 8:21:37 PM
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Yes I have taped the rubble off now but tonight I see she has several more bag loads right by the gate so I daresay thats going in there too. Huge great chunks of concrete etc which the horses could trip on. Obviously I am doing my utmost to get them out of there. She has now put all of my tack in my caravan which is up for sale!! Can hardly show people that now cos my rugs, saddles EVERYTHING is in there up to the ceiling. I cant even find my daughters pony's medication without taking it all back out again. She is definetly losing the plot.
Barribarrs thanks very much for the suggestions and I will get onto that tomorrow morning re solicitors and church land. I so hope I can be out of there this week. With my sanity and my horses intact. |
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gossy
Platinum Member
England
3639 Posts |
Posted - 17 Aug 2011 : 12:21:39 AM
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best thing to do is get out, however you can, there must be people on here who could help you out temporarily until you can find somewhere!!
i would go to any where near you with land fields etc and ask. |
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YO dumping nails etc in my field
