FMD: PRACTICAL LANDLORD/TENANT SOLUTIONS ARE NEEDED
The Tenant Farmers Association is calling rural landlords, in the light of the current animal movement restrictions, to find practical solutions to deal with agricultural tenancy issues which normally arise at this time of year.
TFA Chief Executive, George Dunn said, “Michaelmas (29th September in most parts of the country but slightly later in others) is a traditional time for agricultural tenancies to start and finish. Landlords and tenants will have entered into legally binding contracts to start or end tenancies at that time. However, with the livestock movement restrictions in place it may not be possible for tenants to abide by those contractual terms as they will not be able to move their livestock. The TFA has therefore asked DEFRA to consider allowing specific licences to facilitate situations where a single herd or single flock of animals have to be moved from one holding to another holding due to both end of tenancy and start of tenancy situations.”
“Unless and until such licences are available and where herds and flocks are to be dispersed to more than one holding, or gathered from a number of holdings, it will be important that landlords and tenants find ways of agreeing to extend the occupation of the tenants until animals can be moved legally. In this respect we would hope that landlords would react positively to the reasonable requests of their outgoing tenants but any problems should be referred to TFA head office,” said Mr Dunn.
Some tenants may also have difficulty in making scheduled payments of rent.
“For some tenants, particularly those who would normally use the proceeds from the sale of stock sold in the autumn, it may be difficult for them to make scheduled rental payments. Again, it is vital that tenants in this position have an early discussion with their landlords to look at deferred payment. In this respect we hope too that landlords will act responsibly and reasonably but again any problems should be referred to TFA head office,” said Mr Dunn.
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Ref: MR18
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Date: 14 September 2007
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Notes for Editors:
For further information contact Reg Haydon OBE, National Chairman, on 01903 882577 or TFA Chief Executive George Dunn on 0118 930 6130 or 07721 998961.
The Tenant Farmers Association is the only organisation dedicated to the agricultural tenanted sector and is the authentic voice of tenant farmers. The TFA lobbies at all levels of Government and gives expert advice to members.
