The NFU Scotland Tenants Working Group met recently at Ingliston to discuss how the issues around the tenants sector can be addressed and what the group’s priorities for the coming months should be.

NFUS also continues to participate in the Tenants Farming Forum, representing both landlord and tenants’ interests.

Speaking after the Tenants Working Group meeting was Willie Hamilton, newly elected Chairman, from Tullochgribban Mains, Grantown on Spey. He said:

“I am very pleased to have taken on the role of Chairman and look forward to representing the tenants sector. There are a number of issues which will challenge me but I look forward to grasping them.

“The Agricultural Holdings Act is now part of the political landscape, but still too few tenants are aware of their rights and options under the new law. We would encourage all tenants to register an interest in buying the land they farm, should the landowner choose to sell or transfer the land. If they don’t then, in theory, their farm could be sold from under them, without them having a legal right to make the first offer. The Act was designed to ensure that this did not happen and so we need to ensure that all tenants exercise their rights.

“We also need to continue to work with other organisations within the Tenants Farming Forum to establish guidance, agreed by both landlords and tenants, on various issues. One current concern is that tenants are still seeking clarification over the private landlords registration scheme due to conflicting information coming from different Councils. This clarification is required as soon as possible and I will be working to achieve this.

“It is crucial that we continue to ensure that tenants’ voices are heard by the Executive and other stakeholders so that they are adequately represented.”

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