Guidance issued ahead of amnesty starting on 13 June
NFU Scotland has welcomed a Code of Practice to accompany the beginning of the waygo amnesty.
The amnesty, which was introduced by the Land Reform (Scotland) Act 2016, will commence on 13 June for three years. It will allow landlords and tenants of 1991 Act, 2003 Act, and 2016 Act tenancies to seek to rectify any outstanding issues around notification of tenants’ improvements which should qualify for waygo compensation.
The Code has been produced by the Tenant Farming Commissioner Bob McIntosh in partnership with industry bodies such as NFU Scotland.
NFU Scotland President Andrew McCornick commented: “I am pleased to see the publication of this Code. During the passage of the 2016 Act our members consistently told us that uncertainty around waygo improvements was one of the major causes of conflict for agricultural landlords and tenants.
“NFU Scotland pressed hard for the introduction of the amnesty, and was pleased to see it introduced. We welcome the publication of the accompanying Code, and would urge all landlords and tenants of agricultural tenancies to be aware of this and use it to inform negotiations where there are unnotified improvements that they wish to discuss.
“The Code focusses on parties coming to a mutual agreement, and I urge landlords and tenants to enter into discussions with an open mind and in the spirit of trying to resolve any issues in an open manner.
“This represents a major opportunity for landlords and tenants to get their houses in order with regards to compensation for improvements and also in the context of future rent reviews.
“This is a finite opportunity which lasts for only three years, and it has been made clear that there will be no extensions available to this period. As a result, it is vitally important that the industry seeks to grasp this opportunity with both hands, and I am keen to stress that parties should begin discussions as soon as they are able to.”
Ends
Contact Ruth McClean on 0131 472 4108.