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Livery

Nh6050

Member
Hi mate seen your thread. Give me a inbox will gladly talk to you Bout it off here there is horror storeys in every game. I run a farm and a livery both work very well have 28 in kinda mid range market. Look forward to hearing from you.
 

4course

Member
Mixed Farmer
Location
north yorks
its not the rates thats the problem its vat ,livery attracts vat ,renting out a field or stable doesnt but the stable will attract rates ,my accountant s advice was never to use the word livery to any oneit implies horse care which is liable to vat and only offer grazing or stabling and make it clear to your tenants and do not claim vat back on inputs e.g fencing etcif solely used for the clients horses
 
its not the rates thats the problem its vat ,livery attracts vat ,renting out a field or stable doesnt but the stable will attract rates ,my accountant s advice was never to use the word livery to any oneit implies horse care which is liable to vat and only offer grazing or stabling and make it clear to your tenants and do not claim vat back on inputs e.g fencing etcif solely used for the clients horses


No vat on Livery unless you are hands on with the horses, ie turning out or mucking out etc.
 

4course

Member
Mixed Farmer
Location
north yorks
I dont want to get into an argument at this time on a friday night but think you should check customs exicse/ inland revenue definition of livery . Iivery implies a service which would attract vat renting property i.e stable or grazing does not , just ring your accountant or better still h.m customs vat dept and ask ,or wait until your next vat inspection !!!
 
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honeyend

Member
I know someone who has a large well established livery yard. She rents the stable and the grass so charges no VAT, her daughter who is self employed charges for services.
 

B R C

Member
Arable Farmer
There are a lot of horses in our area and livery works well from 1 to 10's of horses. You just just need to be the right sort of person matched with the right sort of horse owners! Some like lots of rules and a very tidy yard others much more relaxed. Know a local farmer who must have at least 80 DIY, sure a bit of work, he is super relaxed though and who wouldn't be with £100k plus hay and straw sales!
My daughters want a pony so with 5ac field available will
Probably put in 5/6 boxes as we already have a couple of people who would come to us.
 

rob1

Member
Location
wiltshire
There are a lot of horses in our area and livery works well from 1 to 10's of horses. You just just need to be the right sort of person matched with the right sort of horse owners! Some like lots of rules and a very tidy yard others much more relaxed. Know a local farmer who must have at least 80 DIY, sure a bit of work, he is super relaxed though and who wouldn't be with £100k plus hay and straw sales!
My daughters want a pony so with 5ac field available will
Probably put in 5/6 boxes as we already have a couple of people who would come to us.
Sums it up perfectly, if the yard owner is ok then it works, just need the occasional bollocking to keep them in line,
 

Nh6050

Member
Not long had a vat inspection for the said livery. The inspector agreed for what little the vat amount is on livery it's not worth him coming out again over it and to just carry on as we are and not charging vat on any extras we do. Also the rates bit is aload of shite. You will get small business relief on the rateable value. You would have to be in a very very big way before you would have to pay any rates atall. Do your research ou will be fine just keep a sharp tongue in your head to give em a bollocking now and again. Crack on and good luck.
 

jakeboy

Member
Location
somerset
For sure having livery is a way of bucking the poor returns offered by Farming, and around me here in Somerset there are many such successful yards that has kept the owners in their homes!!
But like everything else the price can be high! For the owner, you effectively hand over your home and farm to all and sundry! You soon pick up the noble art of being a self taught relationship counsellor, part time doctor, vet, car mechanic, and part time referee when tempers flare and the wenches square up out in the stable yard? Yes it's pretty plain sailing after you have conquered all these necsacery skills?
But one golden rule learned from experience is the white board planted at the entrance!?
Yes quite simply Sarah Smith owes me 2 months rent!? Livery to let.
Normally does the trick! They don't like the white board of shame, oh no.
Happy days all.
 

wr.

Member
Livestock Farmer
Location
Breconshire
A neighbour does livery and horse owners have to set up direct debit accounts before they're allowed to stable there. Works ok for him.
 

theboytheboy

Member
Arable Farmer
Location
Portsmouth
A neighbour does livery and horse owners have to set up direct debit accounts before they're allowed to stable there. Works ok for him.
Same but also 2 months deposit, copy of horse passport, insurance, proof of address, contract signed, and sister even tries to get proof of earnings or how they will pay. It's all extra work and ball ache but I'm sure it filters out a lot of undesirables
 

Dry Rot

Member
Livestock Farmer
Best clause I had in the grazing agreement with my liveries was, "This agreement can be cancelled at any time in writing without stating a reason". Only had to mention it and the problem evapourated. Never did use it! :)
 

dudders

Member
Location
East Sussex
We did it for years and all I can recommend is not to go there. So much hassle. Also, horses ruin the land - not to worry if you don't care about that, but I do. Such a weight off my shoulders once they'd all gone - anything's got to be better.
 

Surgery

Member
Location
Oxford
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You seem to forget the complications of having a few extremely tidy women wearing tight fitting jodhpurs around your yard...
 

Lvm

Member
There are pros and cons and the cons are in the increase since the recession, as disposable income not as high, yet those half wits do not realise they Cannot Afford gee gee anymore they are trouble
High end of the market attracts, most who can afford this luxury, normally they will be a bit horsey wise and have the wherewithal to pay-a bank account where a DrDebit can be set up in your favour. You can charge a reasonable rent. Downside is high financial investment, bridle paths, indoor and outdoor arenas state of the art stabling, horse walker Horses ruin land, management is essential to keep it half right! Forget the lower end it attracts bunny boilers, who are up their tail feathers because the own a nag this animal will not be ridden they know zilch about stable management, rural stuff of any kind and will believe you are their personal slave, cause chaos among each other and leave without paying. So good luck with it. Maybe if you could rent 10 plus stables to a small time trainer that would be the answer. It's a hit and miss seriously depends on your available financial resources which you are willing to invest and what the market demands in your area
 

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Webinar: Expanded Sustainable Farming Incentive offer 2024 -26th Sept

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On Thursday 26th September, we’re holding a webinar for farmers to go through the guidance, actions and detail for the expanded Sustainable Farming Incentive (SFI) offer. This was planned for end of May, but had to be delayed due to the general election. We apologise about that.

Farming and Countryside Programme Director, Janet Hughes will be joined by policy leads working on SFI, and colleagues from the Rural Payment Agency and Catchment Sensitive Farming.

This webinar will be...
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