Our rural and agricultural team have over 100 years of experience of providing specialist advice to landed estates. We understand the diverse and personal nature of your business as well as the wider challenges the rural industry faces. Whether your estate is predominantly a family asset, an agricultural estate or a more diverse commercial business, we will work with you collaboratively and sensitively to manage your estate and maximise your assets in both the short and long term.
Our team is comprised of experienced solicitors who deal with all aspects of property and ancillary trusts of landed estates, whether they are settled estates or more usual types of trust, drawing on the specialisms of our other departments as required. The key is knowledge and continuity.
Our team are well versed in attending trustee meetings for landed estate clients and taking an active part in decision making for the future of the estate as well as coordinating what is required to ensure the Trustees and family beneficiaries are properly advised in relation to all aspects of their estate.
Our property and private client solicitors work collaboratively, including close working with land agents, accountants and other professional advisors for estates, to ensure the best possible results for the Landed Estate whether it be pure property management or facilitating better operation of the Trust from a fiscal perspective or by re-arranging the method of dealing with the property aspects of the estate to maximise the possibility of achieving Business Property Relief utilising the principle in Balfour. Our land and property dispute resolution specialists are also on hand to help should any disputes arise.
In some cases, we work with up to three generations of the same family so our knowledge of the property portfolio of very large estates is extremely useful. We work with sensitivity to balance the needs and desires of different members of the family. Our involvement with landed estates ranges from very complex matters to run of the mill transactions.
Our specialist team can advise on:
- Tax and succession planning
- Trusts and business structuring
- Sales and acquisitions
- Property management and development including renewable energy
- Family law
- Employment law
We understand that every estate is different and has its own challenges, opportunities and complexities. We will invest time in getting to know you and gain an understanding of your estate to ensure our legal advice is based on your specific needs and objectives. We know that diversification is at the heart of the success of estates in the long term and we will provide sound advice and commercial solutions which ensure your estate and your family continue to thrive in the future.
Our work involves:
- Section 57 applications under the Trustee Act 1925
- Issues relating to private water supplies, private drainage and private access
- Reorganisation of business assets to minimise or remove the investment element to ensure Business Property Relief
- Setting up terms and conditions for letting of holiday cottages and holiday mansions
- Setting up standard assured shorthold tenancy agreements
- Granting of leases of hotels, guest houses, offices, breweries, warehouses, barns and boathouses
- Dealing with all aspects of renewal and possession of property
- Dealing with Rent Act protected tenants and registered rent
- Promotion agreements, options and development of land
- S106 agreements
- Telecommunication leases
- High level and low level water hydros
- Taking and granting encroachment agreements relating to beds of lakes
- Profit share arrangements with new ventures with tenants on the estate leases
- Shoot agreements
- Rights of way
- Common land issues
- Forestry sales and leases
- Dealing with disputes relating to agricultural tenancies
To speak to our commercial property specialists please call us on 01772 258321 or make an enquiry below to see how we can assist you and your business.