Who owns this?

[MrsExpo]

Posting on behalf of a friend so hope that's ok.

Friend has three horses which she keeps on a small stable yard rented from a local farmer. The facilities she rents comprise a block of 4 stables, storage unit as well as around 9 acres of grazing. The grazing is divided into three fields, one large one of about 6 acres and two smaller. She has been there for 2 years, pays rent on time, never had any dispute with the farmer/land lord.

Friend has been keeping the horses on the two smaller fields to allow the larger one to grow through, intending to cut it for hay for winter fodder for the horses. Last week she went away for a short break (left horses in the care of another friend) and returned to discover that the farmer/LL has cut, baled and removed the hay! She has approached him to ask for its return but he has refused on the grounds that its his field so his hay.

Friend maintains that its hers as she rents the field, has a contract which allows her use of the facilities etc, is up to date with rent etc. She's furious of course but needs to know where she stands legally before approaching the farmer again.

For perspective, it's enough to get her horses through most of next winter and will cost her £500-£600 to replace.

Any thoughts would be much appreciated. Thank you.....

[Collaborate]

No one can say. It all depends on the terms of her agreement with the farmer.

[KatyBerry]

What collaborate said - read the lease very carefully. Horses don't qualify as agricultural land use any more so if her rights are limited to keeping horses, then she may not be entitled to the hay. What happened last year?

[MrsExpo]

Hi ... thanks for the replies. Last year she had an extra horse and grazed the whole area and bought in hay to cover winter feed requirements, so the issue didn't arise. She feels that if the grass were actually growing in the field she'd be entitled to put the horses in to graze it, so they'd be eating it one way or the other. Her contract is a bit vague and seems to simply be an agreement that she can use the facilities as long as she pays the rent, details the rent agreed and notice periods, without being too specific on other matters.

[RoseVase2010]

Depends on the terms of the lease but to be honest if it's a nice set up, is it worth pissing off the farmer and getting evicted? I'm assuming the land is a damn sight cheaper to rent than 3 horses on livery?

[MrsExpo]

Depends on the terms of the lease but to be honest if it's a nice set up, is it worth pissing off the farmer and getting evicted? I'm assuming the land is a damn sight cheaper to rent than 3 horses on livery?

Yes, absolutely. I keep one on livery nearby and pay more than twice for one than she's paying to rent her own little set up. I've suggested she offers to buy it back but she's adamant that her grass is her grass regardless of whether its growing out of the ground or cut and dried!! I think she needs to have another sensible chat with her LL. Just trying to help. Thanks for the comments everyone.