Getting a council farm

mrs mtx

Member
Location
Pembrokeshire
Can anyone give any advice on when you apply for your first council farm?

What sort of things do they look for in the application?
What is the etiquette in regards to the rent that you offer? Do you put in the minimum that they ask for or is it who ever offers the most wins?
 

mrs mtx

Member
Location
Pembrokeshire
I am told they love it if you have a suitcase full of farming based certificates . Put forward a sensible plan and offer rents that fit with that plan imo, otherwise your dream will turn sour along with your finances.
Thank you, qualifications aren’t a problem, well not from me unless you can get a degree in fence moving :sneaky:
The rent offers is the same as what we currently pay to just rent our house
 
As an ex-council tenant, I have heard the line about the rent being "only the same as we could get for the house" many times from various land agents. That may be the case in monetary terms, but council holdings come with strings attached, some more onerous than others. My advice would be , be prepared to move almost anywhere for a good PRODUCTIVE holding and don't be put off if you don't get one on your first application. My first holding was the sixtieth I had had details for, and the fifth interview. Although this was quite a long time ago now.
 

mrs mtx

Member
Location
Pembrokeshire
As an ex-council tenant, I have heard the line about the rent being "only the same as we could get for the house" many times from various land agents. That may be the case in monetary terms, but council holdings come with strings attached, some more onerous than others. My advice would be , be prepared to move almost anywhere for a good PRODUCTIVE holding and don't be put off if you don't get one on your first application. My first holding was the sixtieth I had had details for, and the fifth interview. Although this was quite a long time ago now.
Thank you, did you change anything in your applications in the end to get one or is it literally pot luck? Did you just offer to pay the minimum requirements
 

Flat 10

Member
Arable Farmer
Location
Fen Edge
Write your own business plan. Maybe get someone trusted to check it but don’t pay an agent to write it for you. The reason being you will understand and be able explain it thoroughly. Go to viewing day and check out farm thoroughly and introduce yourself. Most councils see beyond the highest rental figure. They will appreciate capital be it in either stock, machinery or cash. Work out what you could afford to pay. Personally I think you need to offer more than just the house rental but most councils should be less than commercial rents. A few thoughts in no particular order.
 

mrs mtx

Member
Location
Pembrokeshire
Write your own business plan. Maybe get someone trusted to check it but don’t pay an agent to write it for you. The reason being you will understand and be able explain it thoroughly. Go to viewing day and check out farm thoroughly and introduce yourself. Most councils see beyond the highest rental figure. They will appreciate capital be it in either stock, machinery or cash. Work out what you could afford to pay. Personally I think you need to offer more than just the house rental but most councils should be less than commercial rents. A few thoughts in no particular order.
Thank you, any advice is appreciated!
I’ve asked and they won’t allow any viewing until the short listing is done which is a bummer! Anyone seen to be viewing will have their application withdrawn so we can only do the business plan off the maps they have provided.
 
Thank you, any advice is appreciated!
I’ve asked and they won’t allow any viewing until the short listing is done which is a bummer! Anyone seen to be viewing will have their application withdrawn so we can only do the business plan off the maps they have provided.
Usually farms are advertised to let with vague details. The prospective tenants apply for further details ( for which there is often a charge). One or two viewing opportunities are given, at which it is always a good idea to have an informal chat with the Landlord's representative. The house , unless unoccupied, is not usually viewed at this stage. Then interested parties submit their proposals, budgets, funding and financial details and a short list is drawn up . On interview day , the applicant's are all invited to view the house before the interview takes place.
 
I would strongly advise you write your own business plan rather than get an agent to do it. He will probably do several for the same tenancy so it won’t be very impressive when yours is almost identical to 5 or 6 others.
Plenty of people who can suggest a good format then write your own plans and figures. Be realistic with the rent offered - better to have tried than face financial ruin in 5 years because you tendered too high. Good luck
 

mrs mtx

Member
Location
Pembrokeshire
Usually farms are advertised to let with vague details. The prospective tenants apply for further details ( for which there is often a charge). One or two viewing opportunities are given, at which it is always a good idea to have an informal chat with the Landlord's representative. The house , unless unoccupied, is not usually viewed at this stage. Then interested parties submit their proposals, budgets, funding and financial details and a short list is drawn up . On interview day , the applicant's are all invited to view the house before the interview takes place.
That sounds far more sensible. We’ve just been given the details and have to submit an application and business plan, from there they short list and you get to view on one particular day
 

mrs mtx

Member
Location
Pembrokeshire
I would strongly advise you write your own business plan rather than get an agent to do it. He will probably do several for the same tenancy so it won’t be very impressive when yours is almost identical to 5 or 6 others.
Plenty of people who can suggest a good format then write your own plans and figures. Be realistic with the rent offered - better to have tried than face financial ruin in 5 years because you tendered too high. Good luck
That makes a lot of sense regarding the business plan. Thank you
 

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quote: “Red Tractor has confirmed it is dropping plans to launch its green farming assurance standard in April“

read the TFF thread here: https://thefarmingforum.co.uk/index.php?threads/gfc-was-to-go-ahead-now-not-going-ahead.405234/
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