Livery Dilemma, opinions needed...

[FuckingSaggyOldClothCatPuss]

Right. I rent a nice paddock and stables set up, not far from home. The stables leak like hell, but I only really use them for storage, so I'm not to bothered. There must be about 6 acres of paddock. The initial rent agreement, for which I don't have a written contract, was £40 per week for just the place, £50 with water and electricity. The trouble is, the electrics are shot. The lights work, just, but the sockets are no good, which scuppers my mains fencing plans. I've been down there today, turned the light on as well as the energiser and tripped out the owners whole house, causing her to say I can't plug anything in. now I can't decide whether to talk to her about reducing the rent or not. £10 per week is a lot just to fill the odd bathtub with water, and I'm bloody annoyed, because my youngster is a shit unless the mains fence is on!
On the other hand, I really like the place, I'm getting it how I want it, they don't quibble when I start bashing in posts all over to subdivide paddocks, and even let me use a heap of redundant post and rail they had. They also don't ask for the extra rent when we have a five week month.
I really like the place, but I'm just feeling a little miffed. What shall I do oh wise people?

So you get six acres plus storage (it sounds a bit optimistic to call them stables) for £210 pm? Have I got that right? Honestly I would say you are on such a good deal that, personally, I wouldn't dare complain about anything! I am in a cheaper area of the country but still pay more than that for access to one shared field for one horse and a stable. Could you put q bit towards fixing roofs and getting the electrics sorted?

Mind you, I am a total wuss!

That's what I'm thinking. The stables are Ok ishq in anything but heavy rain, so are usable. And they are really easy going landlords. If you take into account the 5 week month thing, I'm probably saving £5 a week. I think I've decided to pick my battles and let this one pass. It just means I have to find the money for some decent batteries for the energiser now.

Honestly, for that money I would buy some heavy duty plastic sheeting or felt and nail it on the roof.

Buy some batteries for the electric fence, they are not expensive and might be a bit safer than plugging it into the mains which I wouldnt dare do.

Get a long lease so you know it is worth investing in the place and count your blessings!

Thanks guys. I knew you would give me some perspective.

Have you tried your local scrap yard? Ours supplies good car batteries for a very good price, £5 last time I went (although a friend went and paid £15 :S) it seems a shame that you have to struggle with the electric but worth it cost wise (I would take what you have in a second so I could actually have a horse to ride instead if playing groom to dc ) Maybe it is worth getting someone in to quote for upgrading the electrics? You may be pleasantly surprised?

My local scrappie does batteries for £10, but it's pot luck what you get! I'll go check out halfords tomorrow. I've just spent loads on new electric fencing, and I was so pleased to have it all installed and attached to the mains!
My annoying little colt foal has had some good teachers and knows exactly when the fence is up to scratch or not, and takes great delight in greeting me with a whinny, when I arrive to find him in the resting field, with my poor tape trailing in the wind! little shit

Aw bless the little beast it is frustrating! like I say, maybe it won't cost so much to get the electrics up to some standard, a quote will cost you nothing so I would get one done. Maybe - to be polite - ask the landowner if they mind if you have someone down to take a look so you don't short the house out again? If you are really lucky they may meet you halfway or something?

Just a tiny point (but potentially important!!): energizers for mains are completely different from those for batteries as far as I know so don't use one for the other, you need a new one.

You probably know this anyway but just in case! :)

Yes. I have a geeky friend who adapted the battery one, using a mobile phone type charger. He's dead clever! The transformer on the end solves the problem of the incompatibility!

I've asked re the quote. The problem is that the wiring could be faulty anywhere between the house and the stable, (about 200ft) and the cable goes over an underground. Basically, she doesn't want me using the electrics. I offered to buy an outdoor extension cable an run it to the nearest safe socket, but there isn't one apparently. apart from the one ten feet away with her chest freezer plugged in. that's why I'm a little miffed. Electric was offered and charge for, but is not encouraged. I'm not going to let it bug me though, they are really nice people, an it's a lovely paddock. Like you all say, well worth the money anyway.

Look into some solar panels for your fencing - they should trickle charge the battery nicely and save on lugging.
But it is a bloomin good deal

A small generator?

You can get some pretty good solar powered outdoor lights now, too.

We had a generator once when we rented a place that had ropey old stables so we had lights for mucking out, but you wouldn't be able to have it on all the time for fencing. For a start it would cost a fortune in petrol. Ours was a fearsome beast, we used to argue over who would have to go and switch it off as it would give a loud bang and shoot out a flame. We had it in a sort of L-shaped brick area so it was quite safe but it meant finding your way back out through the barn in the pitch dark. If only we'd been able to have solar panels then!
Agree solar worth looking into, I think you can get panels quite cheaply in Maplins. Not sure how well they'd work in winter but they would certainly save you some recharging in the summer. We keep meaning to look into that ourselves to save having to take the batteries home so often.
Must say though, we haven't had electricity for years and I don't actually miss it now. There are ways round it for the sake of having a place you like in every other way at a good price.