In these times it is ever increasingly sensible to have a formal livery agreement between yourself and your livery clients. Not only will this help you keep proper records of your clients, but also help both parties understand the limit of your services and have a clear and concise reference point in the event of any disputes.
Your livery clients should have no genuine reason for not signing an agreement because it protects them too. Equally they shouldn’t have a problem signing up to the agreement if they already agree to the terms contained therein on a verbal basis.Below we detail just ten reasons why a contract should be used:
And really the most obvious reason to have a livery contract with your clients is because it is FREE!
There is no need to get a solicitor to draw up a contract unless you really need to- you are simply writing down what is already covered in a verbal agreement. There are numerous template agreements that can be found online and amended to your exact needs for your yard, clients and circumstances. Other than the cost to print out a few sheets of paper and distribute to your cleints the process is easy.
It is quick and simple to introduce a livery contract to your clients new and existing. For existing livery clients simply issue them all two copies of the contract, already signed by you, and a covering letter explaining the reasons for the contract. Advise that this simply lays out the existing conditions they agree to on a verbal basis by being your livery client anyway and that this simply introduces this on a more formal basis to protect both parties. The sign both copies, retain one for themselves and return the other one to you along with copies of any documentation that may also be requested (such as passport, vaccination certificate etc). Give a deadline to ensure they are all received within a reasonable time frame and encourage your clients to speak to you if they have any queries or concerns.
For new clients you can show them a copy of the agreement when they view the yard, and ensure that this is signed and the necessary paperwork given to you within 7 days of them arriving on the yard.
You can find a template livery contract below (more available on YOH Livery Contracts Resource page)
Template Contract Introduction Letter
Livery Contract Template (Detailed)
Livery Contract Template (Basic)
You can find further resources and templates on this topic on the following YOH Resource pages:
Client Administration
Livery Contracts
Business Management and Planning
IMPORTANT
This information as provided above is intended to provide guidance and areas for consideration for those intending to enter into such arrangements, and is best advice to our knowledge at the time of publication following extensive research. Anyone proposing to enter into agreements, processes or actions based upon the information contained herein are advised to carry out their own due diligence to ensure the information above remains current and factual.
© Livery List 2020
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