Karen you ask:

I'd be grateful if you could let me know of any pitfalls to avoid
when renting land, what my responsibilities will be, whether I will
be able to plant things on what is, I'm presuming, pastureland etc.".

Firstly you must come to an arrangement with him as to how how long
you would want the land for! Most landowners would prefer a minium
let of say 3yrs rather than a year, the longer the better for you
really and possibly cheaper if he has a contract.

You must disclose how you intend to use the land, be it for Grazing
or the need for arable/Cropping etc.. He may only want to let is as
grazing in most cases. Establish if you can keep any Hay you cut off
the land during the Tenure. (Some prefer grazing for only part of the
year so as they can get a cut of Hay or Silage off it for themselves).

"He said the hedges were a bit scrappy, so I should have asked
whether that is my responsibility or his!"

This depends on the use of the land, If you take it for say 3-5yrs
you will be expected to secure the boundary for your own use if you
have animals on it. Such as an electric fence in the case of horses
or Cattle. Hedgelaying could be an alternative but it can also be
expensive if only for short term lets.

If you can get it for nothing more than "Allotment style use" then
the security is not so much of a problem is it?

YOU are liable for the securing and insurance of any animals held
within the boundaries of the land during "Letting". He is only
responsible for the boundaries being as those defined in the letting
and that you are fully aware of the condition of such.

If you initially rent the ground as Grazing land and then Till it,
you are responsible for returning the land to him "on completion of
the Let" in the condition it was originally rented to you. Any Crop
that you have sowed and profit therefrom could become his to dispose
of in order to finance the return of the land to it's original
condition prior to the let (eg. buying grass seed and paying for it
to be sowed etc.).

Just one or two things for you to consider in the negotiations, BUT
get it in writing!

If he is not intending to do anything with the land in the near
future why not try and buy it off him?

Agricultural land? £5,000 or so should get it for you (maybe?)...


Cheers
John

>
>
>
> Should I insist on a proper agreement? Do I need insurance if I have
> livestock?

--- In smallholding@..., "Karen" <karence@...> wrote:
>
> Hi
>
>
>
> I've been offered some land by a local farmer, but he wants me to
tell him
> how much it is worth to me and to get back to him!!! I've no
idea - help!
> There is 1.33 acres, not a huge amount to most I'm sure, but a good
amount
> for me having been inspired by Rosamund Young (only read her blog
so far,
> not her book), so I feel we must take up the offer.
>
>
>
> However, I'd be grateful if you could let me know of any pitfalls
to avoid
> when renting land, what my responsibilities will be, whether I will
be able
> to plant things on what is, I'm presuming, pastureland etc. He
said the
> hedges were a bit scrappy, so I should have asked whether that is my
> responsibility or his!
>
>
>
> Should I insist on a proper agreement? Do I need insurance if I
have
> livestock?
>
>
>
> Any pointers to websites which go into detail on this subject
appreciated.
>
>
>
> Thanks
>
> Karen (Excited of Hampshire!)
>
> x
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
> [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
>