Scottish tenant farmers are being urged to make use of industry guidelines for the current waygo amnesty.
The three-year amnesty, which came into force last month, allows for certain past improvements carried out by the tenant to be eligible for compensation at the end of tenancy despite missing notices or consents.
It applies to landlords and tenants of 1991 Act, 2003 Act and 2016 Act tenancies.
NFU Scotland (NFUS) and Crown Estate Scotland are urging all tenant farmers to make use of the amnesty and a code of practice on the issue, published by tenant farming commissioner Bob McIntosh.
NFUS policy manager Gemma Cooper said: “The tenant farming commissioner’s first code has been produced to accompany the start of the amnesty, and the union encourages landlords and tenants to familiarise themselves with this. During discussions around agricultural holdings it was clear that uncertainty over waygo was a key issue that required further consideration.
“NFU Scotland is pleased that Crown Estate is taking the lead in actively providing all of its agricultural tenants with a copy of the code to allow them to make an informed decision about whether to utilise the amnesty.”
Crown Estate Scotland’s head of property, Andy Wells, said: “We are keen to work closely with tenants to resolve any outstanding matters regarding the notification of improvements, and hope that sending each tenant a copy of the code will help in this process
“The code provides clear guidance to help inform negotiations and we urge all our tenants to consider if there is a need to review, record and agree any improvements they have made as set out in the code.”
A copy of the code of practice is available online at www.landcommission.gov.scot/tenant-farming/codes-of-practice/.
