The legalities of renting land from a farmer
Q: A farmer friend has offered to rent out his land to me and a couple of other pals. He is agreeable to us drawing up a lease but my solicitor isn't really up to speed on this subject, and neither are we. Can you recommend someone we can turn to?
A: I presume that when you say your solicitor isn’t up to speed you mean he doesn’t really understand the key points that should be included in a sporting lease. There are various sources of guidance which will give you and him a clear idea of the considerations that must be covered.
BASC has guidance at basc.org.uk and the Country Landowners Association has a specimen lease that members can obtain.
I would still advise getting a solicitor to draw up the lease or at the very least casting an eye over it so that you don’t miss any more general legal points.
