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To kick these people out?

999 replies

CompletePushover · 10/01/2014 18:24

7 yrs and this is my first AIBU, and I'm so cowardly I've name changed Grin

So... After years of renting crappy places dh, the 4dcs and I have finally bought a lovely house.

It's great. Needs loads of work doing on it. Lots of potential, completely neglected and now ours. The people who had it before us had some problems and had criminally neglected their animals. The house comes with a field.

Now begins the lovely story. A few years ago Some people passing by saw how neglected the horse in the field was and took it upon themselves to look after it. They did amazing things, built him a shelter, bought him food, trimmed his hooves, all of it.

The horse is a stallion and unbroken but of nice temperament. But it means he can be flighty.

Move on a year and one of the group has taken on most of the care and bought their own horse who now lives rent free in the field.

Two weeks before completion the owner tells us we will be inheriting a cat and that the horses are staying (he's gifted the stallion to the other horse owner)

So... We panicked until lovely horse person came to our door and seemed very nice, and we said they could stay until Easter and then we'd see (rent free).

This all seemed ok, but there have been annoyances: There's no where else to park but in our drive, when we want to wander around the field with the dcs we have to struggle through two horses and it's a nightmare, and now finally we have bought out longed for dog and I can't walk him on my field without someone with me because I can't carry a baby and a puppy and fend off the horses on my own, in December we were told they use one of our sheds for feed, And there are other people who are part of the group who have not introduced themselves to me, but who go on to my field regularly.

So this evening we've let the horse owner know that beyond the end of march we want our field back. At the moment I've used it twice since we moved in and I want to use it daily.

They're not happy. I tell a lie, one is not happy, the other is completely understanding.

I know they did a good thing, I know they put work into the field (shelter and fencing) but I also know they've had free pasture for 18 months in return, and I think it's become a picnic spot for them all.

AIBU? And should I be growing a backbone, because I'm already trying to think of a way to section off some of it, which I know would only end up delaying the inevitable? I'm also worried because I'm in no way insured to have this all going on on my property.

I want nice things for the people who have done good, but at the same time I want to enjoy my home. I also have PND and desperately want to be outside but can't cope with being around people. Just to throw that in there.

OP posts:
RenterNomad · 16/01/2014 21:20

Of course they have a reputation for being "difficult"! They have/ she has done this before, to someone who wasn't an incomer. Also, it's easier to "rescue" if it's other people paying, or bring inconvenienced, or crowded or trampled by their totem!

CompletePushover · 16/01/2014 22:21

Ok, we have a reply. It's very nice and understanding and recognises a simple lack of communication on all sides ( which is certainly true ).

It does go in to a lot of detail on the difficulties rehoming and doesn't firmly acknowledge the end date, which does concern me somewhat.

OP posts:
katese11 · 16/01/2014 22:22

We're selling our house soon...dya think we can just leave the children in the back garden for the New owners to sort out?

Well done OP you're handling this well

CompletePushover · 16/01/2014 22:32

Kate, just drop them off here. We'll find space for them somewhere Grin

OP posts:
shoom · 16/01/2014 22:41

Progress!

shoom · 16/01/2014 22:44

Try not to get drawn into it being a shared problem. E.g. don't make suggestions about how or where they can move off your land. Just repeat your demands and timescales and possibly add a "yes it's unfortunate however..."

mistlethrush · 16/01/2014 22:45

Complete... I just wonder whether a cheeky post in the tack room finding out if anyone wants an old stallion as a companion for a horse of their own....

CompletePushover · 16/01/2014 22:51

Worth a try. Will give it a go :)

OP posts:
SaggyOldClothCatPuss · 17/01/2014 00:38

did you add the bit about penning them by the gate and ploughing up the field?

MiscellaneousAssortment · 17/01/2014 00:52

Hope you get a decent reply from the email

Robfordscrack · 17/01/2014 03:42

WTF is with the person who was selling the house?

bubblebabeuk · 17/01/2014 03:55

Fingers crossed for you

Meerka · 17/01/2014 09:18

in all seriousness, actually, perhaps this is a very silly idea but is there anythign to stop you taking the two horses to the Unpleasant Woman's house and leaving them tied up on the front lawn, and closing all access to your field? at the date you've given them notice for, naturally)

PeterParkerSays · 17/01/2014 09:21

I'd reply to their e-mail. "Many thanks for your considered response to our e-mail. We look forward to hearing how you have resolved the issues that you outline in your e-mail, so that the deadline of 28th Feb for vacation of the field by the horses is met."

Polite but firm.

steppemum · 17/01/2014 09:36

good reply Peter.

really glad to hear that the nice lady is helping behind the scenes.

In my experience of villages, the less you comment and the nicer and more reasonable you are in every day life, the village is not stupid, they work it out.

progress!

Peekingduck · 17/01/2014 09:38

I'd be more blunt. You don't need to hear how they've resolved their issues (it opens the door for them to tell you all about how they haven't".
"Thank you for your reply, this is to confirm that you will have vacated the field by the 28th February at the latest. The gates will be padlocked on 1st March".

SaggyOldClothCatPuss · 17/01/2014 10:15

All sounds good so far. I wouldn't go transporting them anywhere though. You have no idea how they will behave outside the paddock, you or them could be seriously injured.

DameDeepRedBetty · 17/01/2014 10:52

Just dropping in to see how things are going... which appears to be slowly, but progress is being made.

CompletePushover · 17/01/2014 10:57

I can't see any dramatic steps forward anytime soon.

We'll find out today if they're going to ignore the request not to park on the drive. (If I'm here when they come)

This weekend we're hoping to do more work on the garden, so we'll be able to catch them it they see to the horses at any point. It would be good to talk face to face and gauge what's being done.

I won't be moving the horses any further than the smaller bit. And if I do that I'll be calling in a horsey friend to help me do it.

OP posts:
RenterNomad · 17/01/2014 11:18

Very firm but fair, PeterParker! Smile

Jux · 17/01/2014 11:52

That reply does sound like she's setting up excuses for when the date comes. Don't get drawn in. Don't proffer understanding. Don't proffer thanks. Keep it very very simple and straightforward of what is required. So I'd stick with Peekingduck's completely uncompromising reply. Or no reply at all as one isn't really necessary (though of course she may take no reply as as complete capitulation - because she is a piss taker).

Hope the gardening goes well.

enriquetheringbearinglizard · 17/01/2014 12:14

Many thanks for your considered response to our e-mail. We look forward to hearing how you have resolved the issues that you outline in your e-mail, so that the deadline of 28th Feb for vacation of the field by the horses is met.

Yes, I think you have to be very firm.
Incase of possible excuses I'd alter this slightly to something like

'Many thanks for your considered response to our email.

We are pleased to have been able to help you this far, but needed to be quite clear that this date is not extendable at all because we have made other arrangements for the (or you could put our) land as from the deadline date of ----

Of course if you are able to move the horses before then, just let us know'

and finish with some pleasantry.

Having come this far now, you really don't want any emotional wriggle room.

FrankelInFoal · 17/01/2014 12:29

I would be even briefer:

"Many thanks for your reply which we take as confirmation that the horses will be moved by x date."

And leave it at that. If need be you can BCC it to your solicitor.

thenightsky · 17/01/2014 12:54

Definitely what FrankelInFoal says!

Lavenderhoney · 17/01/2014 13:22

Absolutely what Frankie and peeking duck say!

No wiggle room, no somehow its your problem. You must respond ASAP with a short response like the ones below.

And whoever you meet, tell them the story and say Beryl's suggestion.

They will try it on, for sure, if you don't be very firm and disinterested.