NFU Scotland is reminding those tenant farmers who have registered an interest in the right to buy the land they farm that some registrations may well be due for renewal.

Many tenants will have registered their right to buy the land they farm, if it were to come up for sale, and such registrations are valid for a five-year period.   Some of the first registrations under the right to buy legislation may already be coming to the end of their term. 

Chairman of the Union’s Tenants Working Group, Andrew Robertson said:

“Those tenants farmers who took the option to register an interest in purchasing their farm were it to come up for sale should remind themselves of the date they registered and, if they retain an interest to purchase, make sure they re-register.

“The land owner, where possible, will send reminder letters three months before the expiry date of the notices. However, there is no statutory obligation for them to send out these letters and, as a tenant, it is your responsibility to renew your registration.

“Anyone who holds a tenancy under the Agricultural Holdings (Scotland) Act 1991 or is a general partner in a limited partnership can deal with this now by contacting the Register of Scotland and re-register an interest in buying the land should the landowner choose to sell or transfer the land.”

Notes to Editors

• A registered interest in right to buy ceases to have an affect 5 years after the date of registration.  Where you are still a secure agricultural tenant, it is possible to apply to have your interest registered again at any time, by completing and submitting the appropriate application form known as a notice of interest along with a statutory fee of £25.  The notice of interest and associated guidance notes for its completion can be printed from the Register of Scotland website (www.ros.gov.uk/rcil) or paper copies can be obtained by contacting the Register of Scotland Customer Services on 0845 607 0161 or 0845 607 0164.

Ends

Contact Bob Carruth on 0131 472 4006