Bee Hives

[Vizslaman]

Hi Folks.

I have been approached by a local bee keeper, asking if I would be interested in having some hives in the field (field is only used for hay and a bit of dog training.).

If I agree do I need to have some sort of legal agreement drawn up to ensure I am not conferring any rights to him that could come back and bite me ?.

Many thanks.

 

[Steevo]

Just try not to get stung

 

[solo]

I’ve got 2 verbal agreements with local bee keepers. One has up to 10 hives and has been here 40 years. The other was via TFF and has 20 hives and has been here about 5 years. I have another starting when the osr flowers this year, but I think that is only short term. All have been no problem and I get an annual supply of honey. No formal agreements but these bee keepers are not the sort of people who would be a nuisance. They are just grateful to have somewhere suitable to practice their hobby or sideline.

 

[renewablejohn]

Just keep the hives 50 mtrs away from your house or public paths. That said the first hive I had was only 2 mtrs from the house but it was on an adjacent flat garage roof so the bees would fly over your heads and were not a problem.

 

[Dry Rot]

Make sure they don't put out aggressive bees and make sure their flight line doesn't coincide with yours. One guess why I say that.

 

[betternextyear]

I have about 20 hives on the farm in the summer, Never a problem.
But one field is reserved for the naughty corner bees that need time to settle down. I dont go near them.

 

[PSQ]

The only agreement you need (verbal) is about the rent: 1 jar per hive, per year.
And honey from your own farm is one of the simple but great pleasures in life.

 

[pauld]

As long as they are members of a local association affiliated to the British Beekeepers Association they will be covered for public liability.

 

[PeaBee]

I would just back up what pauld says above and check they are either members of BBKA (if hobby beekeepers) or Bee Farmers Association (if professional) so they are fully covered for public liability insurance. Other than that it's just a case of making sure they are placed out of they way so not to cause a nuisance and hope you beekeeper knows what they are doing so you dont have swarming bees setting up a new home in inconvenient places.
I have had one estate where the manager insisted on a legal agreement and rent being paid but all others are on a hand shake and verbal agreement and a good supply of honey (which over the course of the year probably exceeds the rent I paid!).