Rent Levels March 24, 2014 12:00 am The latest DEFRA statistics on farm rents in England reveal the average rental value under Agricultural Holdings Act (AHA) tenancies rose by 3% between 2011 and 2012 to £163 per Ha (£66 per acre). For Farm Business Tenancy (FBT) rents, the average figure actuallydecreased by 2% to £177 per Ha (£72 per acre). However FBT’s on cereals farms saw rises of 10% to £211 per Ha (£85 per acre). Data on rents is now collected via the Farm Business Survey. It is slightly historic as the survey takes some time to undertake. The figures are for the 2012/13 year (roughly Feb to Feb). They are shown as ‘2012’ in the table below. FARM RENTS IN ENGLAND – Source: DEFRA £ per Ha FULL AGRIC. TENANCY FARM BUSINESS TENANCY 2010 2011 2012 2010 2011 2012 Cereals 166 172 184 176 192 211 General Cropping 192 192 198 249 307 257 Dairy 180 186 192 169 184 197 Cattle & Sheep (LFA) 62 66 58 68 78 77 Cattle & Sheep (L’land) 139 148 154 119 121 119 All Farms 152 159 163 162 179 177 The average rent paid under Seasonal Agreements (likely to be largely grass lettings) in 2012 was £117 per Ha (£47 per acre) – an 8% drop. Full results can be found at https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/292272/fbs-farmrents2012-14mar14.pdf These rents show the amounts actually being paid by farm businesses in England. Various Agents produce reports on the rental market, but these tend to focus on rent levels where new land is being let, or there is a review. For example, Smiths Gore report that rental levels in the year to 31st October 2013 increased 29% where there was a review or new let.
