contacted by a family that wanted me to keep bees on there property

[adamant]

received information on a family that is interested in me to keep a few hives on there property. large property whit the nearest home about 100 yards away. they are not interested in pollination they just want to see bees on there property. i am interested in another bee yard and it would be a good idea to have one but i feel the need of caution . something tells me that i should draw up in writing a written agreement with them just in case something happens with the bees and them.
whats your feeling about this?

[taydeko]

I think it is clearly in the best interest of both parties understand the conditions of the hives on that property. Are you going to have 24/7 access to the site? Are you paying them? Are they paying you? Is it your honey? Can you remove the hives any time you want? Can you make splits? What about liability for stings? There are so many possible complications I would not want to put "permanent" hives on someone else's property without an agreement.

Ted

[mrobinson]

I have always taken an admonition from Judge Wopner on (the TV show...) People's Court: "Get it in writing." If you ever watched the show, you saw the same thing happen again and again ... the two parties didn't actually know what their agreement was, and they hadn't anticipated whatever subsequently occurred. Plenty of good friendships have been lost that way for no good reason.

As a matter of ordinary routine, draw up an agreement between you and have both of you sign and date it and each keep a copy. Think carefully about what sort of things you might want to put into it; have them do the same. Try to capture what your entire "understanding," and theirs, actually is, and say in the letter that it is the complete understanding between each of you, as it may be updated (in writing) from time to time. This is an excellent opportunity for both of you to "think about it" and to work out among yourselves and write down pretty much "anything that you can think of."

You don't have to be "lawyer-ly" about it. The advance thinking and planning, turned into a written form, is a whole lot of what the process is about ... and it's an absolutely routine thing that I "simply do," every time, for everything. You can change it any time you want, just both of you make it a point to agree, then write down what you just agreed, and sign/date it. "Good fences make good neighbors. Mind the fence."

[ChrisH]

I agree with Robinson, get it in writing. Sign a lease, for a dollar or whatever amount you are comfortable with. The lease doesn't need to be , as Robinson put it, "lawyer-ly" just something with the rules spelled out. If something goes bad this will help to separate you from them. Also do not forget to do a hold harmless agreement within the lease.
Best of luck.

[Andrew Dewey]

We had a message get passed around the board of the Maine State BeeKeepers Association asking if we knew of a company that would place a hive on someone's property (apparently at no charge) and then split the honey crop with the homeowner. Unless this potential yard (and I wouldn't consider 1 or even 2 hives a yard) was the most amazing in the world I would run from this deal as fast as I could. If you're renting for pollination - that is great. If the honey split is in fact a rental fee for using the location, then my opinion is the fee is out of proportion for the beekeeper's investment in equipment, bees & time. Typical yard rent when paid in honey is 5 or 10 lbs per yard. If you are an expanding hobbyist looking for a location for another hive or two then the situation is a bit different - unless for some reason you want complete control over the management of the bees, I would suggest that that homeowner have "skin in the game" over and above providing the location for the hive. And as others have suggested an agreement specifying your arrangements is a very good idea.

[Katharina]

I would use a pollination contract and modify it for your purpose:
http://agdev.anr.udel.edu/maarec/wp-...n_Contract.pdf
I would also add a liability waver as to the risks of having bees etc. Common thing about stings etc. It all sound clear when you talk to the property owner, but you never know what happens when someone get injured. Best to have that in the contract too.
I see why people like to have bees. They do like to help the bees, but they do not want to do it. I applaud those people, because they do have good intentions. Giving them honey may make them more happy.
It may also be an idea to get these people to come to your place when you can give them an intro to bees. Just the basic understanding and to see how they react seeing a hive from close up. It can be intimidating, and they may have not thought about it. Again have a liability waiver for that on hand.
I have found a liability waiver online, and we are going to use it (with modifications) for our bee club's members. These people know the risk, but we need to cover ourselves.
http://bbe-tech.com/bees/bee_files/apiary_waiver.pdf
Anyway the links I gave are just two I found, there a tons of them on the internet. Just google them and use what works for you.

[juzzerbee]

You say that you are interested in another hive, but it doesn't sound like you NEED to start a new one. It also seems that you are considering this as a nice favor for the homeowner. If that is the case and you are at all concerned that it is a bad idea, I would say to politely decline. Is the homeowner a good friend or relative or just a random family living in your area. Unfortunately today with all good intentions, you just can't be too sure of what people might do when something goes ugly. You can thank the selfish, money hungry, "sue happy" people of the past for that problem. What if you invite them regularly to another of your nearby hives to observe? They may get enough satisfaction in doing that versus having them around 24/7. Once you build a friendship with them this way, then maybe it will feel more comfortable to eventually place a hive or two on their desired property. Wow, I just felt like Dr. Phil there with all the advice........ummmm.....scary!!!! juzzerbee

[buzz abbott]

you could give them a split. then it would be their bees therefore their responsibility. you could then make an agreement with them to manage their bees.

[magista]

I routinely place hives at "hosts". Just be very clear about the parameters whatever they are. Folks have a tendency to start feeling like they are their bees. Be very, very clear that they are not, they can be moved at anytime and I'd probably have some sort of contract for your and their protection.

I personally have not had any issues so far...been doing it for 4 years or so.

[mrobinson]

It really helps to have a good friend who happens to be a lawyer. An avid collector of good "lawyer jokes" and the creator of quite a few, including of course this classic...

Q: Why do they bury lawyers twenty feet deep?
A: Because, deep down, lawyers are really nice folks.

[Northwest PA Beekeeper]

I think what is going on here is that these people have seen the plight of the honey bee and have decided to "help". They have found a beekeeper and would like to have some hives on their land so they feel like they are contributing to the cause of the honeybee. I really don't think the homeowner is looking for rent, a split, or any honey.

If you are considering needing another bee yard, (which it sound like you do), just be sure to have a contract written up - doesn't have to go through a lawyer - but just try to make sure everything is covered. If you want to give them a little bit of honey for the use of their yard, that is all well and good - but what if you have a bad year? What if the bees don't overwinter and die out? There should be a clause in there that you and they have so long to "break" the contract. Meaning that if the extra yard doesn't work out, you give them a heads up that you are pulling out. Likewise, you want them to give you notice that if they ever want the bees moved - you are given enough time to do it.

I think this arrangement can work out. A contract just helps eliminate problems or misunderstandings. You just have to make sure the landowners understand some of the "consequences" of having bees on their property. Likewise, you want to make sure that you are protected too. If you get 20 colonies there and suddenly they tell you "All bees have to be off their property in 24 hours", you want a contract that specifies if they want the bees removed, you are given notice for however long YOU set so you actually have the time to do it.

[leonphelps]

lets be honest here.

you put out a couple hundred bucks to put bees on someone elses property. if successful, throw them a bone and give them some honey.

writing a contract that would drag a couple lawyers into this is a waste of time. getting anything in writing is evidence. if anything went wrong, without paperwork you walk away a couple hundred lighter. with paperwork, you walk away a couple hundred lighter then need a retainer for a parasitic attorney then maybe some other legal fees.

I would consider it part of doing business and why I dont work for someone else.

[Michael Bush]

I don't usually get anything in writing, but it's a good idea. IMO the reason for getting something in writing is simply to avoid misunderstandings. It doesn't need to be in legalese just plain English will do. Just spell out what you expect from them and what they can expect from you. In the end it wouldn't be worth either of you going to court but having it on paper avoids misunderstandings. One of the ones that seems to happen to beekeepers often enough is when the property owner dies and the kids think those are "grandpa's" bees.

[adamant]

well thank you all for your replies.. i plan on getting a agreement in writing. simply to just tell them what to expect.. example: explain the swarm activity if any, possable bee stings, there activity around there hive, family and friends activity etc... you have to understand that these people know nothing about the bees but just want to help out the bees by providing a place for them. me: i want another bee yard to work out of.. i think they think they can walk up to a bee and pet the thing! lol not going to happen

[Michael Bush]

And things like "if you have are going to spray or have someone spray or know of someone planning to spray insecticide in the area..." etc.

[avesterfelt]

Adamant, PM me if you want with your email and I can send you the contract that I use along with a 4 page paper I give that gives the basics of bees. I do written agreement and education and so far so good.

I hate contracts, but like others have said you really want something in case it gets ugly.

[odfrank]

I have bees at several sites where the hosts buy the whole crop retail. No contracts or problems so far . All the equipment is mine and branded so no questions whose it is. One site required me to sign their lawyers contract specifying that 100% of the crop could only be sold to them. Fine with me. Also forbidden to go there on weekends or know their name. Fine with me. I knew it before I started.

[Rader Sidetrack]

One site required me to sign their lawyers contract specifying that 100% of the crop could only be sold to them. Fine with me. Also forbidden to go there on weekends or know their name. Fine with me. I knew it before I started.

Wow, do you also deliver their honey to their attorney's office, or maybe the estate staff accepts the honey delivery? Does the contract also specify a set price for that estate honey?

[odfrank]

Wow, do you also deliver their honey to their attorney's office, or maybe the estate staff accepts the honey delivery? Does the contract also specify a set price for that estate honey?

I deliver the honey to the estate. The price was not asked. I wonder how long these jobs will last, they don't use all the honey in a year.