Renting out my land

[pinkypug1]

I have 2-3 acres spare and thought someone with non ridden horses would appreciate renting it for year round grazing! Never rented my land before, will it be more hassle than it’s worth to rent out! I don’t live near it so won’t be taking any part in care simply offering the land. I don’t want to be liable for fixing fences, fertilising etc. If they want to put new fencing etc they can but the field comes as is. (Mix of hedging and Barb wire). I just want land returned in good order when they are done, be that 10 months or 10 years! Am I mad considering this or should I just leave as is and let nature take over!

 

[JBM]

It can be a good idea but I wouldn’t rent it out to just anyone. Someone preferably known or known through a friend
Strangers can cause horrible problems if they have the wrong attitude.

 

[Patterdale]

It will be full of broken electric fence, bale wrap, more tied up bits of baler twine than you could have imagined, shanty-town-esque shelters made out of pallets, and 3-4 random traffic cones before 6 months are through.

I’d be very careful renting to horsey people, and get a very strict contract if you do. They REALLY do not help themselves…

 

[meleeka]

You’ll need a contract, with notice periods, who’s responsible for what etc. Grazing land near me is rented for 11 months of the year, something to do with squatters rights I think. Another field nearby is rented via an estate agent, so that could be a good way to do it. They deal with everything on your behalf, for a fee obviously, which I believe is a % of rent paid. If you google “land for rent near xxxx” you’ll find ones that offer the service.

 

[Petalpoos]

I agree with the above posters, renting it out is likely to be a pain. Unless you need the money, probably best just to leave it, maybe with a yearly grass cut from a local contractor.

 

[pinkypug1]

It will be full of broken electric fence, bale wrap, more tied up bits of baler twine than you could have imagined, shanty-town-esque shelters made out of pallets, and 3-4 random traffic cones before 6 months are through.

I’d be very careful renting to horsey people, and get a very strict contract if you do. They REALLY do not help themselves…

this is my worry!! If I do decide to rent I will vet very carefully!

 

[pinkypug1]

I agree with the above posters, renting it out is likely to be a pain. Unless you need the money, probably best just to leave it, maybe with a yearly grass cut from a local contractor.

extra money always helpful but was more to give someone the opportunity to have their own few acres, but I know they will prob come with a lot of heartache for me. A local farmer who rents some other land from me will take it for cattle so that’s prob what I will do

 

[Orangehorse]

A Grazing Licence is for 11 months, so it doesn't become a tenancy. Not everyone is a nightmare, even the local gypsies leave a field if asked and they have a few paddocks in the area (mind, they did leave a mess of plastic bale wrap). There are many horse people who rent a field and are good tenants.

I think it might be as well to talk to a Land Agent person who, for a fee, can draw up a suitable contract. Its much better to have something in writing than nothing.

 

[SEL]

I know lots of people who rent land and don't trash it. Just make sure you get references!

 

[sport horse]

Whoever you rent it to be very careful to take good legal advice so that you do not inadvertantly create an agricultural tenancy. You need to give a grazing tenancy for 11 months and make sure the tenant is off the land for one month.

 

[ihatework]

Honestly if I had a couple of acres I’d opt for temporary/ overflow sheep rather than horses

 

[ROMANY 1959]

Be careful.. a friend of mine rented a 3 acre field with a shelter and water to someone who she thought was ok, contract done , 8 months later 5 travelers caravans appeared, they removed the gateway, put rubble down and moved in. Took her 18 months to get rid of them via courts, and cost her 18k

 

[millitiger]

I wouldn't rent for horses, they are absolute land trashers!
I would rent it for sheep keep instead if you can.

I say this with my own horses at home

 

[Errin Paddywack]

Whoever you rent it to be very careful to take good legal advice so that you do not inadvertantly create an agricultural tenancy. You need to give a grazing tenancy for 11 months and make sure the tenant is off the land for one month.

You can't establish a tenancy with horses but you can with sheep and cattle. If you do need to be off it is usually only for 24hrs.

 

[CazD]

We rented a small yard of 2 acres with 2 stables to a neighbour who was very experienced with horses. She approached us asking if we'd consider renting to her. It rurned out to be a complete pain. She complained about everything, moved extra horses on contrary to the written agreement for two, then left after 2 years leaving a massive muck heap, dog mess everywhere and having removed several stable fittings. Never again!

 

[honetpot]

Agricultural leases and licences

<p>These leases and licence agreements cover every possible scenario, from letting spare outbuildings to a neighbour to store a vehicle for a few months, to leasing large acreages of arable land to a farming business on a long term basis.</p><p>Written by an experienced solicitor, these...

www.netlawman.co.uk

I think you need advice as to what sort of agreement you want, a license to graze is the simplist, but you will have to sort out the fencing.

Grazing agreement

This contract creates a short term licence to graze a field or otherwise allow animals to feed on land – beneficial because such arrangements fall outside the Landlord and Tenant Act and the Agricultural Tenancies Act. It gives the landowner much greater control over what the licensor can do and...

www.netlawman.co.uk

I would take seasonal sheep, you will get less money but usually less hassle.

 

[nagblagger]

Please don't dismiss it, I rent fields and wouldn't have been able to have my equine friends without people like you.

 

[Ahrena]

Not everyone wrecks fields!
I rented a field last year and I treated it like gold. I left when I moved to a house with my own land and I took all my stuff with me.

I poo picked religiously twice a day even in the depths of winter and rotated the land the best I could to look after it. It didn’t look great coming out of winter but that was just the combination of horses and weather and I’m sure it recovered just fine.

It was a godsend to me as I had a mare with a colt at foot who needed weaning and I was struggling to find somewhere suitable for them as I wanted to be involved on a day to day basis.

 

[blitznbobs]

If you do limit the number of horses allowed on it and don't expect it back in the fashion you left it. That way you wont be disappointed.

 

[[153312]]

Whoever you rent it to be very careful to take good legal advice so that you do not inadvertantly create an agricultural tenancy. You need to give a grazing tenancy for 11 months and make sure the tenant is off the land for one month.

do you have a link to anymore info on the differences between an agricultural tenancy (do you mean an fbt?) and grazing tenancy please

 

[Elf On A Shelf]

I'd rent it to a farmer for sheep or cattle to be honest. Far less hassle.

 

[nagblagger]

Cattle will walk through fences though I f not very secure.

 

[pinkypug1]

Thanks everyone, I’ve been thinking about for 3 years and always wondered why I never bit the bullet. Subconsciously I always thought it might be more hassle than it’s worth I’ll just need to buy more of my own horses

 

[windswoo]

I rented for 10 years before we bought ours.
Saw the owner once a month to pay and that was it.
I was able to use it how I wanted, but always knew it could be sold at any time - prime development land, so when some land came up for us we jumped at the chance.
Interestingly though I wouldn't rent out any of my land to someone else, having heard too many horror stories on here.

 

[KittenInTheTree]

You could offer it as grazing to one of the equine rescues.

 

[Polos Mum]

With 2-3 acres if someone wants to keep them on it all year (not just supplement their own existing grazing) - then you'd be looking at max 2 horses.
Assuming no facilities (shelter / storage) you are at below local DIY prices so maybe £20 a week - £1 p.a. depending on location. Not to be sniffed at but if people dump horses there (as land owner you're responsible), or put 8 on (to save money) and trash it (contracts are really hard to enforce) or don't maintain fencing and the horses are out all the time and people are calling you as land owner - it's a tough call as to whether it's worth it.

We have a spare 3 acres, 5 stables and a school I use 3 hours a week max - I've had 3 different tenants in 8 years (one pro producer, one novice family and one experienced showing person) - we used to get - £6-7k p.a. - which is meaningful income to us. None of them were worth the money - sadly.

 

[Widgeon]

I’ll just need to buy more of my own horses

That is very clearly the simplest solution - have you seen the thread about the Fell pony dispersal sale next month?

 

[MiJodsR2BlinkinTite]

Ditto the advice given here, especially re. being careful about Agricultural Tenancies. My late uncle let someone put their few beehives on his property and got into difficulties when the guy said he had an agricultural tenancy some years later. He'd put a caravan on the land and was living in it, and refused to budge! So be careful is what I'd say, and don't let a soft heart allow a problem in. Also be careful if offering it for horticultural use as you could be stung for Agric. Tenancy this way. Personally I'd be very very chary.

If you are renting out the land for money then sorry but you will need to do something about the barbed wire. For anyone with horses on that land, it is a no-no.

Is there a water source? Because if not then anyone renting it for livestock would need to bring a water-bowser on.

Could you get planning consent to build on the land??

I think your best course of action would be to have a chat with a rural estate agency who specialise in this type of land. If you say you are not willing to undertake any repairs but that it is OK for anyone renting the land to do this, you may place yourself in a tricky position as regards the dreaded Agricultural Tenancy rearing its ugly head again. I feel you need some specialised advice TBH as it should be possible to realise the potential of this land; it may be that the estate agents can act as your Agent and draw up a little agreement for you. Worth a chat I would suggest.

 

[pinkypug1]

I’m going to Leave the land as it is. I feel bad for horses owner stuck on livery and those who want the freedom to keep
Horses out 24/7 etc so thought perhaps I could offer a few of my own u used acres but thinking more and reading your comments I realise it’s not worth the hassle so I will allow the wildlife to take over for now!!