Getting a council farm

[mrs mtx]

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?

 

[Werzle]

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.

 

[mrs mtx]

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
The rent offers is the same as what we currently pay to just rent our house

 

[borderterribles]

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]

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

 

[borderterribles]

Did a different plan for every holding I applied for, to ensure it was relevant to that specific holding. Make sure your farming the farm your applying for, not a generic one. I wouldn't say it was pot luck, I'd say it was about capital available v capital requirement.

 

[mrs mtx]

Did a different plan for every holding I applied for, to ensure it was relevant to that specific holding. Make sure your farming the farm your applying for, not a generic one. I wouldn't say it was pot luck, I'd say it was about capital available v capital requirement.

Thank you

 

[690 multi-power]

This is interesting as I too hope to apply for a one soon and I also have never applied before.

 

[mrs mtx]

This is interesting as I too hope to apply for a one soon and I also have never applied before.

I hope it’s not the same one
We weren’t overly looking but a perfect one has come up for us

 

[Flat 10]

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]

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.

 

[Flat 10]

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.

How odd.

 

[borderterribles]

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.

 

[Flat 10]

There's an old thread on here somewhere

 

[ploughman1963]

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]

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]

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

 

[ploughman1963]

That makes a lot of sense regarding the business plan. Thank you

Pm’d You

 

[davidroberts30]

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

Dont forget you are dealing with the local council ?‍=hard work

 

[chaffcutter]

Can you not get to view the holding before you prepare and submit your business plan, you can’t realistically do that unless you know details of the buildings available and the condition of the place?