What is reasonable?

[SparklyBrickViper]

My grandmother owns a field.

I manage the field on her behalf. For over a decade it’s been rented to one person who kept three horses on it. A year ago they let me know they were moving their horses and told me they had someone lined up to take over the field.

Said person moved horse into the field as horse was unhappy in the place it had been. (I’m not knowledge about horses, ownership etc). As with the person before don’t really charge a market rent for the land, it’s a peppercorn rent (£25 per 12 weeks).

Anyway, haven’t received rent for 6 months. Person has changed their mobile number and is actively avoiding me. I have now been given their new phone number. What’s a reasonable timescale to ask them to remove their horses?

I would have been more than happy to help if they were in financial difficulties and had let me know, but changing their number, blocking me on social media, and moving a second horse onto the field without letting me know has forced my hand.

Thanks for any advice.

https://www.bhs.org.uk/horse-care-and-welfare/health-care-management/abandoned-horses-and-fly-grazing/

The horse haven’t been abandoned and are cared for by their owner.

Do you not have a contract wrt notice on both sides , if not just tell her , in writing that she has 6 weeks to move the horses from X date plus payment of the back rent .

They may be considered fly grazing if you aren't being paid. Either way, that link has the legal processes and notices that you can print out.

Great thank you @britnay.

No contact in place @tinyspiny. Always been a casual arrangement, hence pepper corn rent.

I'd sell the sodding field to a developer! Then they'd have to kick them out.

It takes the piss really. The less you charge for something the less people think it's worth. Like giving out freebies online.

Yeah seriously just put a notice on the field and if they don't move go down legal route. And maybe charge a proper rent and have paperwork for it going forward.

https://yardownerhub.co.uk/resources/livery-contract-templates/

Thanks @BillieWiper that’s how I feel. Thought I was doing a favour and to be honest it’s nice to see something in the field rather than it being empty.

She’s replied last night after I was given her new number and provided a long sob story. However as she’s been actively ignoring/avoiding me I’m not minded to extend a kindness. She’s agreed to move by the end of the month and I’ve wiped the outstanding rent.

I’ll go back to it just being an empty field. It’s in the green belt so developers wouldn’t be interested. (It’s also gorgeous scenery and castle views).

Yeah I don't really want you to sell it to developer. Just to spite the bastards for not paying you! But I do hope you get rid of them soon.

@SparklyBrickViper if you have the time and inclination you could look into turning it into a secure dog walking field once she’s gone . There is quite a demand for them . Hope she does leave with no bother .

I really don’t and location wise it probably wouldn’t work, but thanks for the suggestion @tinyspiny

Honestly, the peppercorn rent is the problem - give some horsey people an inch and they'll take a mile. Rent it out at resonable rates, with a proper contract.

Sorry you have been treated like this-that person is definately taking the piss from your kind nature.
Depending where you are in the uk single use field rent can range anywhere from £40/month to £200/month plus so £25 for 3 months is ridiculously low considering how much damage horses do to land.
I would also message the original renter and explain how upset you and your grandma are about the non payment and avoidance of contact.
If you check in with the BHS legal team they can advise on how to get rid asap of this person and also what steps to take to get any money owed.

I was going to ask what area you are in as I'm on the lookout for grazing for my two (and would be happy to pay the going market rate) but if you have castle views you're definitely not near York!

Sorry, let me check - £2 a week?!!! And she can’t afford that? She’ll find it a LOT more expensive anywhere else! As has already been said , grazing paddocks are anywhere from £50-300 a month for a small paddock. I am in the south and was offered a large field a couple of years ago for £800 a month (after I picked my jaw up off the floor I declined that one, but someone else took them up on the offer.)

Britnay has provided helpful links with good advice. You need to evict her. This sort of person does not improve for keeping. I would also let the original person know their mate is a cheating lying scrounger. And then get a proper rent and contract in place with whoever you get in next.