Questions to ask when taking on land to rent

[HasthorpeGrange]

Hi everyone, as a young guy looking to start something of my own I’m looking into taking on some land to keep cattle on. Just wondering if anyone can help on what questions I need to be asking before I sign anything so I don’t get caught out later on as it’s the first time I’ve done anything like this. It’s permanent pasture on a grazing type agreement. Does this usually mean you have to be off the land by a certain date? Are they usually annual agreements or longer term?
Any replies appreciated.

 

[Flatlander]

Sit down and talk with the landlord and see what they require from you. If that’s all acceptable then ask wat you need to make you venture viable. Consider start and end of terms. Water payments,hedges fences, stocking rates,weed control,any gov payments. Footpaths. Anyone else have access to that land for recreational purposes like shooting or metal detecting that might bother your cattle A lot will depend on the guy renting it out whether or not they are fair or see you as the next in the chain of many to be shafted. Ask who has rented before and why it’s now available. Probably a ton more questions that should be asked but I’m in a different country and things still done here by a hand shake and word of mouth. Hope fir the best but assume the worst.

 

[HasthorpeGrange]

Sit down and talk with the landlord and see what they require from you. If that’s all acceptable then ask wat you need to make you venture viable. Consider start and end of terms. Water payments,hedges fences, stocking rates,weed control,any gov payments. Footpaths. Anyone else have access to that land for recreational purposes like shooting or metal detecting that might bother your cattle A lot will depend on the guy renting it out whether or not they are fair or see you as the next in the chain of many to be shafted. Ask who has rented before and why it’s now available. Probably a ton more questions that should be asked but I’m in a different country and things still done here by a hand shake and word of mouth. Hope fir the best but assume the worst.

Thanks for the reply. It’s going through a letting agency due to circumstances. It’s kind of word of mouth I’ve got first chance of it though. First time it’s been rented out so I suppose that’s an advantage.

 

[Flatlander]

Personally hate dealing with agents. Be extra careful as some upstart might be looking to cut his teeth on a trusting soul.lol if it local you may know the owner and a friendly chat over the fence might yield more results than you’d expect. Good luck. It’s hard to get a foot on the farming ladder. Respect or trying.

 

[Cowmansam]

As said start date end date who’s responsible for fencing weeds and any muck or fertiliser

 

[David.]

Beware the clause that used to say "The tenant will leave all gates, hedges and fences in good condition at the end of the term".....
Regardless of what they were like at the start.

 

[egbert]

I'm unclear....is this a seasonal let, with land empty for winter months?
If so, are you ready for the winter months?

It's possible you could simply sell the stock at the end of the term, but even then they need a clear TB test to do that.
Be asking yourself what continency plans you need for something of that nature.

If it's longer term, and you're in a period of years, as well as points raised above, you still need to ask yourself how/where you're wintering stock, if you carry them through the winter.
Give us more clues for further answers.
(or, you can pm for thoughts from a...er... very old hand)

 

[mezz]

Some good answers so far. I'd suggest asking how many acres, and what's included, verify the areas yourself. Landlords often base it on "map acres", which can be substantially different from "utilisable agricultural area". Also probably worth taking some soil samples first.

 

[HasthorpeGrange]

Some very good points mentioned thanks for all the replies

 

[ploughman1963]

Pleased to hear things are moving along for you

 

[HasthorpeGrange]

Pleased to hear things are moving along for you

Thank you

 

[Humble Village Farmer]

There's a big difference between the rental value and the actual value a piece of grazing to you. Fencing, water, access, shelter and ability to hold stock over winter being the main considerations after productivity.

I bet anyone reading this who has rented grass can remember a piece of ground they gave up with a sigh of relief. Land owners tend to have preconceived ideas about how much grazing is worth and not necessarily based on growth rates which is what I would base it on.

We all understand the ambition to get started or expand and good luck to you. Just make sure you are working for yourself and not the landlord.

 

[Little squeak]

read the thread on written permission before you take anyone word for "don't worry it will be aright"