Deposit at a boarding facility?

[nwrider]

Hi, not sure if this is the right forum to ask this but hopefully I reach the right crowd.

I just moved my horse from Seattle to Northern California. I put him at a fairly nice facility where he has his own paddock and 3 sided shelter. The board is $530 a month. I paid $530 at the beginning of August (when I moved him there) and then just got our invoice for September. It says I owe $1,060 for August and September as the $530 I paid when I moved in was a deposit. I’ve been at many boarding places before in Southern California and Seattle and never paid a deposit.

Is this a Northern California thing or are they out of line? Help!? I don’t want to push back on them if it’s the norm.

Thanks for any input.

[JoZ]

I posted a reply but don’t see it now. So apologies if it suddenly appears.

What is in your boarding contract? Do you have a contract? I have actually seen both situations, deposit and no deposit. But I was made aware of the deposit upfront, either in discussions or in the contract or both.

It makes sense if the stable doesn’t want to get burned by people who fail to give notice. Of course that ought to be covered in the contract as well. But it’s easier to keep money than it is to get money in those situations.

In one situation, I paid a deposit, and was pretty glad to have it at the end, because I was moving and had plenty of other expenses. It was nice to have that last month paid for. In another situation, I was a little bit poorer, and turned down a barn in favor of one that had no deposit.

[dotneko]

When we take a (nonrefundable) deposit it is credited to the first month’s board. The deposit is to hold the stall.
Sounds like they are using yours as a ‘last month’s’ payment like an apartment - first, last and security deposit.

[CrowneDragon]

I myself have never been asked to leave a deposit, but I don’t think it’s that uncommon. I wouldn’t fight it.

[Lynnwood]

A friend boarded at a facility that had a year long boarding contract just like a lease including deposit. Her horse died in a pasture accident …they kept the deposit because the contract was "unfulfilled "

I wouldn’t board anywhere that had time limits or deposits because often you just never know how you and your horse will do in a facility. I think a Boarding contract specifying 30 days notice is plenty of security.

[chism]

@Lynnwood;7739189

A friend boarded at a facility that had a year long boarding contract just like a lease including deposit. Her horse died in a pasture accident …they kept the deposit because the contract was "unfulfilled "

Wow…talk about kicking someone when they’re down. That’s just lousy.

[2tempe]

I have been at two barns in the last 7 years. Both charged a security deposit = 1 month board. The first was in Ohio, the second down here in Florida. It is against 1. Any damage done by horse, and 2. Coverage for board if I should sneak out w/out paying.
In Ohio the owner tossed out one boarder and kept the deposit when she didn’t want to pay for damage to the stall done by her stallion.

My current BO did not charge a second security deposit when I brought in horse #2.

[NJRider]

Before paying I would make sure there is an agreement in writing specifying what kind of “deposit” it is, which since you already moved in a deposit to hold the space does not make sense. If it is just s security deposit for damage (like an apt) you need something in writing specifying in what situation monies will be retained by them.

[Jim_in_PA]

It’s not unusual for a boarding facility to hold a one month’s board deposit…if they do require it, it should be listed in the boarding agreement. Where I have my horses, a deposit is required. My BO waived it for the second horse when I bought her because I had a multi-year track record. (And they also use my 3-pt post hole digger… )

[BeeHoney]

It’s a pretty reasonable thing to do. If I were in your shoes I’d want it to be well specified what that deposit was for and also I’d want some kind of a receipt/record that I had paid it, something that would be easy to refer to if I was moving out a few years later and there was a question about it.

[Sueby]

Jim_in_PA, I see your your post hole digger and raise owning all but two jumps at our facility and the ENTIRE show set up. I also provide the round bales at a VERY low rate. It would be very difficult to keep my deposit hahaha!

[foggybok]

I’m currently in the bay area and one facility I was at did this, and when I moved to the new place, they did not. they should be upfront about it, but it is not unheard of.

Is it in Milpitas by chance?

[PeteyPie]

If you don’t have the money, I would ask them to prorate the payment over two or three months. Explain that it was not specified and you were not prepared to make that double payment the first month. The worst they can say is no. They might be fine with $795 on the first of September and October.

I think it is weird that it was not crystal clear.

[WasthatC]

I’m in NorCal too and I’ve paid a first & last month board when I moved into two different barns. But it should have been explained up front.
Where are you (generally) in NorCal?

[Trevelyan96]

Most commercial facilities charge a deposit, and it’s entirely at the BO’s discretion. I’ve seen barns that charge 1st and last month’s board as a deposit, some ask for 1 month, some just set an arbitrary fee. Its usually in the contract.

Even for my small place, I charged a nominal $100 deposit, which I hold in escrow for any emergency fees that the boarder may incur. If the boarder leaves with notice, l either apply it to the last month’s board, or any outstanding vet/farrier fees. If the boarder is up to date on all board and fees, they get it back with nominal interest.

The important thing is to ask the barn owner exactly how your deposit will be held, and make sure you have in writing exactly when/how it will be returned if you leave. One of the trickiest situations is when the BO asks for a security deposit, but uses it for ‘other purposes’ and then makes up reasons not to refund it even though you’ve fulfilled all contract obligations.

[Appsolute]

I am also in Nor Cal - and have been boarding here for about 25 years, I would say at about 10 different facilities ranging from back yard, to fancy training centers.

I feel the “deposit” or “last months” rent thing is fairly new at many barns.

So far, I have been asked to pay just $100 at one place for a “hold” / deposit fee - which was subsequently deducted from my last months board.

And the new place, has a new policy of first and last due at move in - but its last month’s board (not a deposit), and its clearly set out in the contract.

Its basically there to keep you from flying the coop without 30 days notice - once you give your 30 days, you do not have to pay for board that month (I am totally okay with this policy).

What is the deposit for? Damages? What does your contract say?

I wouldn’t be as happy about a “deposit” (vs. last month’s). Was there a “walk through” of the paddock? Current condition documented? Any pre-existing damages or wear that you could be held responsible for? Common fence lines? How would you PROVE that a damaged rail was done by your horse and not a neighbor?

I see way too many issues with “deposit” - I would really want some clarification from the management.