When to ask for overdue rent?

accidential farmer

I have a shed I rent out to a neighboring farmer. It's an arrangement that started a few years ago but the yearly payment is taking longer and longer to come. So much so that one entire year wasn't paid for and it's six months overdue for last years use. When I mentioned it to him at the end of last year he says he doesn't have it but will get it to me in a few weeks, but no word since - I just don't know if he's genuine or taking the mick. When do beef/dairy guys start getting their cheques so I can go looking for the rent again?

Say my name

Tell him his lease on the shed is finished and to settle his account.

That'll sharpen his mind to pay.

Mooooo

Dairy would have monthly sales, beef whenever stock are sold. Other than that the sfp in Oct.
Best bet would be to have a set point in the year to be paid or 2 dates if splitting the cost would help. If they are not paid no shed. No one knows the situation only yourself so prob best just to straight out ask for up to date payment and then set up the payment dates for next winter

drunkmonkey

The day after it's due. You've let it drift so he probably thinks your a soft touch. Call him now and get it off your mind. It's way over due.

accidential farmer

Thanks, Good idea re splitting it. I absolutely hate pushing for money but I've asked twice in the past few months. Chances are he'll pay just before looking to move the animals back in Oct.
It's giving me sleepless nights having to ring up again for it and I'd rather leave it empty than have to chase money again.
I'm new to this game but I wouldn't mind if he'd made an effort and paid some of it off. Is it standard for farmers to let payments slide or is whoever shouts loudest?

High bike

The child that cries loudest get fed first, he’s taking the piss

Aravo

How much is at stake. If a few hundred, don't let him back in and hound him. If a few thousand, don't let him back in and hound him and get a solicitor to write to him if getting no satisfaction.

accidential farmer

It's in the thousands :-(
Awkward because he's a neighbour and I don't want to fall out, but definitely need to stop being a soft touch so another call is in order.

Injuryprone

What I'd do is keep my head down, say nothing. You've asked him twice already which should be enough. Hopefully he'll come good, as you say it might be in the run up to him moving cattle in again next year.

But after you have the money in your bank account, then you ring him back up and tell him that there won't be any cattle going in the shed next winter unless the rent is fully paid upfront. That he only has himself to blame for abusing your trust.

Aravo

accidential farmer wrote:

It's in the thousands :-( Awkward because he's a neighbour and I don't want to fall out, but definitely need to stop being a soft touch so another call is in order.

So he's 6mths over due for the 2018 rent and the 2019 rent is not due till Dec 2019.
How about when calling him about the overdue rent, mention that someone else has made enquiries about the shed for later this year. Then wait and see.

whelan2

Ring or text hm. Say you are going on holidays in 2 weeks and you're relying on the rent money to pay for it. Say you need to know if you'll be getting the money and after all it's long overdue. Worked for me

epfff

Collect asap
Its an identical tactic that 2 acquantices of mine use. You get drip feed money so you cant say you not paid create confusion and definatly dont pay last on. They openly laugh about it in some circles and still would have ok name for paying at the church gate with the people they pray with and on. I think some tollerate it out of embarrisment of being taken as a fools and then being sucked in too deep/given occasional hope.

Dont mention not giving it to him again untill you have collected

A little white lie about bank or revenue all over you because of some mythical investment and you need money fast. Then if you do let him back you need money up front to help cover same debt and keep that date going forward.

Lime Tree Farm

Stop pussyfooting around him – it’s a business deal. For all you know he may not want to rent the sheds in 2020.

If it were me I would put the Rental collection in the hands of an Auctioneer, going forward. You need to weigh up Auctioneers’ fee against the possibility of being stiffed for a year’s rent.

Everything needs to be documented especially where sheds are concerned; the rules are not the same as for land rental.

Going with an Auctioneer also gives you a wider choice of potential tenants.

accidential farmer

Really appreciate all the advice. Good to know I'm not out of order pushing for payment.

Welding Rod

accidential farmer wrote: »

I have a shed I rent out to a neighboring farmer. It's an arrangement that started a few years ago but the yearly payment is taking longer and longer to come. So much so that one entire year wasn't paid for and it's six months overdue for last years use. When I mentioned it to him at the end of last year he says he doesn't have it but will get it to me in a few weeks, but no word since - I just don't know if he's genuine or taking the mick. When do beef/dairy guys start getting their cheques so I can go looking for the rent again?

Why have to tell any kind of lie? White or black!!

Ask nicely but firmly, stating a deal between two gentlemen, is a deal which has to be kept by both sides.

Tell him straight ..... any look of fear or weakness or embarrassment on your behalf, will only serve to embolden him, to continue to drag this out.

Bet he isn’t a small farmer. It’s normally the big guys, who think they can get away with this sort of carry on.

Dakota Dan

accidential farmer wrote: »

It's in the thousands :-(
Awkward because he's a neighbour and I don't want to fall out, but definitely need to stop being a soft touch so another call is in order.

Yet he doesn't have a problem falling out with you, take the bull by the horns.

Nekarsulm

If the worst comes to the worst and he dosent pay, its fairly cheap and simple to get a "Garnashee" order against his EU payments.

road_high

God these piss take merchants can always spot a soft touch a mile off. Firmly demand your money ASAP. Then think about alternate arrangements going forward like money upfront or lease to someone else.

road_high

accidential farmer wrote: »

I have a shed I rent out to a neighboring farmer. It's an arrangement that started a few years ago but the yearly payment is taking longer and longer to come. So much so that one entire year wasn't paid for and it's six months overdue for last years use. When I mentioned it to him at the end of last year he says he doesn't have it but will get it to me in a few weeks, but no word since - I just don't know if he's genuine or taking the mick. When do beef/dairy guys start getting their cheques so I can go looking for the rent again?

The fact he said he “doesn’t have it” shows exactly where you lie in his priority list- does he say the same to his meal, fertilizer and energy bills?

Ilovemycharlie

Take the cattle off him or any valuable belongings in the shed and say he can have them back once he has paid the rent. don't let that f***** walk all over ya

Ilovemycharlie

Don't bother letting him lease it in 2020 again better off getting a new tenant

Sacrolyte

Before you do anything drastic.
Get the money FIRST.

eoinob50

Ilovemycharlie wrote: »

Take the cattle off him or any valuable belongings in the shed and say he can have them back once he has paid the rent. don't let that f***** walk all over ya

Don't do this.

But yeah he is taking the piss, the fact you have let it slip months he definitely sees you as a soft touch. Thus he doesn't have much respect imo for you, wouldn't worry about messing up the friendship as a result of getting the money your owed.

Ilovemycharlie

eoinob50 wrote: »

Don't do this.

But yeah he is taking the piss, the fact you have let it slip months he definitely sees you as a soft touch. Thus he doesn't have much respect imo for you, wouldn't worry about messing up the friendship as a result of getting the money your owed.

Do only way to sort the p**ck out

GreeBo

You should arrange the payments by DD so its not a big lump sum for him and also to ensure that you are being paid regularly.

Nekarsulm

Ilovemycharlie wrote: »

Take the cattle off him or any valuable belongings in the shed and say he can have them back once he has paid the rent. don't let that f***** walk all over ya

He will report you for theft.
You wont have a leg to stand on when the Gardai come calling.
Could also get you into trouble with the dept. , moving cattle without permit etc, etc.

L1985

We use an auctioneer and honestly it’s great as it would be rented to local lads. He does the chasing up and yes it does cost us money but we would be in a worse bind without him as lads we didn’t want to rent to before came knocking and we just directed everything back to the auctioneer and there was no bad blood.
He’s got no respect for you and tbh I’d be hesitant renting it to him going forward as it’s not worth sleepless nights!

Joe Daly

The land is yours looks like this have not time for man or beast I wouldn't worry about falling out with him bills have to be paid vicious circle out there . Keep haunting him for it he knows the longer he leaves it the longer he will be there, I do contract work down through the years you learn who to deal with rats like him. Hold your dignity show him you will not take crap like he is giving the best of luck.

K.G.

When does he normally put catttle in and where doesthe feed come fromif i was you say nothing and lock the place up just when he might need it or put an ad in local paper letting it near the time he might need it.the biggest mistake most people make is they dont right off the rent soon enough in their heads and keep chasing money that will never come

cute geoge

You can not get blood out of a stone But seriously the best time to collect money is after any farmer getting his milk cheque ,farm payment or after cattle sales.
I heard story about merchant waiting to collect from a big farmer ,any way he rocks up and demands payment the farmer turn around and says he puts all his bills in to a hat and pulls out one each month and pays that .The merchant chirps up 'That is not the way I work' .The farmer responds 'so you do not want to be in the hat so'