Late Board Fees? Grrr...

[Fork]

How common are late board fees?

My barn has recently tacked on a $5/day charge to anyone who doesn't pay on the 1st of the month. I realize that they too have bills to pay... but couldn't they go about this a better way? If I'd had a literal warning that a $5/day charge would have been tacked on, I would have tried much harder to get out sooner. Instead, the owners wait 5 days to tell me that my board is overdue, and then tell me that an extra $20 is going to be added to my board.

I am totally blaming myself for this, but I'm still sort of peeved. :doh:

I've never heard of this before!

[starkitten]

I have late fees too however my BO gives me a grace of 8 days before it starts to cost.

[Joey A]

I don't know how it works up there, (or my current locale either) but back home we couldn't even charge a late fee unless it's more than 7 days overdue. It's an actual law.

Then there's limits to late fees and intrest rates.

[TheRedHayflinger]

while I can understand they want their money on time....sometimes unforeseen circumstances cause it to be a couple of days late, and they should really take that into consideration--unable to get a ride out to go pay them, car breaks down, family emergency, roads are too bad/weather is too bad, payday falls on the 2nd instead of the 1st (LOL)...I know I pay my hay guy when I get the chance, and thankfully he understands. He lives just up the road from me, but I'm only at home during the day while he's in at his business...and I'm not driving 45 minutes to go into town to pay him unless I have other stuff I have to do. And I do make one trip into town weekly...so he gets paid quickly(and in cash, so I think that helps..haha)

But, at the same time, if they just started this...they should let you know about it. I've never really boarded out where I had to pay...but friends of mine do, and I worked at a boarding barn for 3 years....if there is a contract in place, boarders had to be notified of ANY changes in money or charges 2 weeks prior to them taking effect.

[Horseaholic]

hrm. I'm pretty sure that here in NJ there is a law as well. You have a grace period..I believe it is 5 days here but don't hold me to it. Although you should have paid your board on time ;)...a fair warning would have been nice. Maybe look into your laws around you and see if it's legal if you are really concerned.

[vicklynn]

Is it in the contract???? If so, they can use that or not.
If boarding, just like your house rent, it is due when it is due.
Sorry you are dealing with this though. Hope you get caught up soon.

[Equine_Woman]

There were late fees at all the barns I boarded at, but it wasn't charged until a certain grace period passed.

[westmanfarrier]

So, plan on paying your board a week early. That way if you are a few days late on your own schedule, you have given yourself a grace period and everyone is happy.

[oursarge]

We don't have late fees but I think she should start having them. The boarders will be there on the 1st and not pay her just because they don't feel like it. Out of all the boarders she has we're the only ones who pay on time. The people who board there all have decent jobs, no excuses for them to be late I know one of them does it for spite like a conrol thing. I think it should be paid on time unless there is a very good excuse not to. Normally we pay a few days ahead like if we know we won't be around on the 1st we'll pay sooner. I'm not saying we're wonderful I just know what their bills are since she's my friend and she appreciates having the board paid on time so she can then pay things she needs to pay, she's not running a charity even though some people think she should do everything for nothing.

[Palogal]

Late fees are very common. They're usually a grace period of 5 days or so. The BO has to pay for hay and things on-time so your horse can eat, your unforseen circumstances are not the BO's problem nor do they make the bills less late if she has to way to pay them.

[YAorNEIGH]

No offense meant at all, Fork, but...I feel that they're perfectly entitled to charge extra if board is late. It is a business after all and if they give a little leeway, the leeway will slowly grow. People love to push limits! I think it's very important for an equine business to have *firm* deadlines. It's already so tough to keep these businesses going and make them successful.

I'm not sure about the legal repercussions of this situation...I do believe it would vary from state to state, as WF mentioned.

[Remali]

If the barn owner charges late fees, those fees should clearly be stated in the contract. If not, then I guess I'd have an issue with the BO for not mentioning it upfront. Most barns do have a grace period too, and I have actually never been charged a late fee for being late (if I am going to be late I always call them beforehand to let them know about it).

[JennyandJosey]

If they just sprung this on you without notice that's not cool. I do think they have a right to charge a late fee, but a grace period would be nice. I always pay my board the week prior to the 1st. I get paid on the first & 16th and take my board money out of my balance on the paycheck of the 16th.

Also, checks can always be put in the mail! ;) I always mailed my board to the barn I used to board at.

[pandorasmom]

If the barn owner charges late fees, those fees should clearly be stated in the contract. If not, then I guess I'd have an issue with the BO for not mentioning it upfront. Most barns do have a grace period too, and I have actually never been charged a late fee for being late (if I am going to be late I always call them beforehand to let them know about it).

That's my opinion on it also.

I can understand charging a late fee, however, I think the boarders should be well aware of it before they just start charging it. I do think it should be payed on time. Like Palo said, the hay,etc. is still having to be paid for by the board owner and if she doesn't have the money on time it can get pinch for pinch for her/him also I would think. Whoever suggested paying a week in advance, just incase something comes up and you can't get it there, I think that's a great and wonderful idea.

[Fork]

Oh, no. There was no warning or anything. It wasn't in the contract because it's "a new policy." Problem is, this policy wasn't really shared with anyone. It just sort of came to be. I completely understand that I should have paid my board on time. I got an email after the fact. :(

It's not that I don't have the money. The barn is a good 25 minutes away, and I can't stand driving out when it's going to be -30 outside. I only go out once a week now, because of the roads and the weather.

I've learned my lesson though. And I won't do it again. :)

[Vegashorselady]

All the boarding contracts I've ever signed stated that a daily late fee would be charged if you paid more than 5 days late. That's why I always paid on time.;)

Although the new policy isn't unreasonable it isn't right that they tacked it on without informing you. They should have put it in writing and had all the boarders sign something stating that they read and understood the new policy. That was very sneeky on their part.

[Annie&Dixie]

My barn starts adding a fee after 15 days...we have a long grace period. Although I never pay that late, the latest that I ever paid was the 10th and that was because they weren't in town anyways.

They should have told you before they made the decision to add on the fee.

[outriding01]

Our board is due the 5th of every month, and it clearly states in the contract the due date and penalties. If it's not in the contract then they can't make you pay.

[Fork]

Ours is due on the 1st of every month, but the invoices go out on the 31st/30th. The "late fee" charge applies starting on the 2nd of the month. To me, that's somewhat unflexible on their part. Not everyone can make it out to the barn on the same day. Sometimes things happen, like illnesses or car problems. I've always previously paid on time.

I guess $20 is $20. It's not going to kill me. :( I was given a contract in July and nowhere in it did it say anything about late fees. She just started the policy out of the blue, a few weeks ago.

[GrungeEquestrian]

At my barn there are no late fees. I know there are boarders who are a month or behind on board. The BO tries to be as understanding as possible and reminds them every few weeks that they are behind on board. In some cases it works out and the people pay it fully...while in other cases people have left their horse as a source of payment.

[YAorNEIGH]

I do feel that they should have formally informed everyone about the change. Maybe by holding a meeting or a written statement...That would have been the best way to handle things, I think.