Getting a council farm

[mrs mtx]

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?

No it says any pre viewings will get your applications withdrawn. I did enquire as I thought a business plan will be hard to write just off maps

 

[chaffcutter]

Well have a good look on google earth in as much detail as you can, knowledge is gold in these situations.
Depending on when the scan was done it might give you an idea of how productive it is.

 

[RushesToo]

Well have a good look on google earth in as much detail as you can, knowledge is gold in these situations.
Depending on when the scan was done it might give you an idea of how productive it is.

And if you use google earth you can go back in time as well.

 

[mrs mtx]

I shall have a nose

 

[borderterribles]

It almost always says in the details that you can only view the farm at a specified time and date, upon (near) pain of death! This is to dissuade every man and his Dad having an excuse to roam at will over the holding and mithering the current tenant.

 

[Adeptandy]

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.

Cambs CC take the house rent as a separate to the land now, be prepared for a shock, got caught last time, agreed the land rent, then got hit with house rent on top, was a sneaky trick, but won't get caught again

 

[Wink]

Following this thread with interest as I am awaiting on a certain one to view which could be suitable, they are few and far between for sure round here and this one had been frustrating as they have been given extensions.

We are no longer actively farming per se, will this be seen as a disadvantage? Only really stopped due to circumstances last year after being involved my whole life. Should I hold onto farm machinery equipment as capital and keep in storage or is cash in the bank just as good and buy again should the opportunity arise?

Hope you don't mind me jumping in with a question @mrs mtx

 

[RushesToo]

I would have thought owning and maintaining kit ready to go means that you are a few weeks to a few months quicker starting your business to someone that doesn't. It demonstrates that you also have an idea of the value of what you have and how you can start your business immediately.

 

[borderterribles]

Have PM'd you @Wink

 

[690 multi-power]

Cambs CC take the house rent as a separate to the land now, be prepared for a shock, got caught last time, agreed the land rent, then got hit with house rent on top, was a sneaky trick, but won't get caught again

Cambs CC are who I will be submitting mine to, fingers crossed as it is my first time.

 

[Flat 10]

Cambs CC are who I will be submitting mine to, fingers crossed as it is my first time.

Don’t give up if at first you are not successful. Cambs sometimes do training days for prospective tenants which are probably worthwhile.

 

[Still Farming]

No good looking around here.
The VOG Council sold them off year's ago for a song.

 

[chaffcutter]

Staffordshire are having another ‘ realign and sell off sale’ to make the retained unitsmore viable, but again it cuts down the number of opportunities to get a foot on the ladder, even if it’s only starting as a part timer.

 

[Still Farming]

Trouble is when get one ,they never moved on ,and bought as sitting tenants cheap when sold off???

 

[borderterribles]

Trouble is when get one ,they never moved on ,and bought as sitting tenants cheap when sold off???

I don't think many, if any of the Staffordshire council tenants who are buying their holdings are " getting them cheap, as sitting tenants"

 

[Still Farming]

I don't think many, if any of the Staffordshire council tenants who are buying their holdings are " getting them cheap, as sitting tenants"

Paying full open market value are they?

 

[mrs mtx]

Apologies if I sound stupid.
I’m on page 6 of my business plan and loosing the will to live
Just getting on to the figures. Is it normal practise to take the cost of renting the house out of profits?
l mean say I offer to pay £10,000 for the whole place. Renting just the house would cost me £7200 in the same area for same size house, so in theory I’d need to make £2800 to start making money (I know there’s lots of other expenses but I’m trying to make my point).
Does that make sense?

 

[Still Farming]

Apologies if I sound stupid.
I’m on page 6 of my business plan and loosing the will to live
Just getting on to the figures. Is it normal practise to take the cost of renting the house out of profits?
l mean say I offer to pay £10,000 for the whole place. Renting just the house would cost me £7200 in the same area for same size house, so in theory I’d need to make £2800 to start making money (I know there’s lots of other expenses but I’m trying to make my point).
Does that make sense?

The house was thrown in if I remember with council small holdings around here and the rent review catch question use to be "how much is it to rent a council house?
They soon shut up?
When The Council sold off the small holdings to the sitting tenants,most then sold the house off to pay for the farm and then convert farm buildings and lived in that?
"Crown jewels" gone and Council wonder why they got no money these dsys???

 

[4course]

If you cant view the property until tendering then im thinking the new tenant is already in place or at least is going to come from already known/interested parties.Having said that you have to start somewhere and if married both parties have to show they are committed to the idea , your own plan is essential as you need to be fully aware of where you are aiming to be in 5 yrs 10 yrs etc, the chances are the local agents are already supporting someone from the area . A farm related track record though not necessarily in farm management is desirable along with being able to demonstrate a sound understanding of your plan and financial viability is paramount. Which must include any payback of borrowings either short or longer term which should be in place prior to tendering for your own benefit.As an aside bear in mind that if you are capable and in a position to consider taking the plunge with the skills you undoubtably have what is your potential outwith the tenancy to progress. best of luck

 

[Flat 10]

Apologies if I sound stupid.
I’m on page 6 of my business plan and loosing the will to live
Just getting on to the figures. Is it normal practise to take the cost of renting the house out of profits?
l mean say I offer to pay £10,000 for the whole place. Renting just the house would cost me £7200 in the same area for same size house, so in theory I’d need to make £2800 to start making money (I know there’s lots of other expenses but I’m trying to make my point).
Does that make sense?

I wouldn’t put it in a business plan no, and I don’t think it is conventionally either. But what you say is a valid point and it’s difficult to know what to do.