Just as RICS revealed misgivings over both the content and timing of tenancy reform measures, the Scottish Tenant Farmers Association (STFA) was calling for an interim Tenant Farming Commissioner to be established to ensure no one undertook evasive action before the changes were put on the statute book.
Claiming that the views of RICS were “out of kilter” with wider industry recognition of the need for change, STFA chairman Christopher Nicholson said: “In attempting to defend the status quo this ill-judged broadside from RICS Scotland is unhelpful and will cut no ice with Scottish Government who are committed to land and tenancy reform.”
He added that RICS’ “damning criticism” of the Agricultural Holdings Legislation Review Group’s Final Report was irresponsible”.
Mr Nicholson said that such a stance reinforced its call for the Scottish Government to establish an interim Tenant Farming Commissioner.
He said that the association wanted to have such an overseer in place as soon as possible to supervise and manage the transition period before the reforms became law in a couple of years time and to ensure that no moves to avoid the new legislation were instigated.
He also took a swipe at the assumption that the lack of official complaints made to RICS meant that there was no bad practice in the sector.
Mr Nicholson added that even after the recent Land Agent’s Declaration – in which senior agents pledged to recognise industry led initiatives and codes of conduct – his organisation had continued to hear of cases where agents acting for landlords ignored best practice guidelines.
Stating that the STFA would be prepared to share this evidence with an independent Tenant Farming Commissioner, he added that many tenants were unlikely to make official complaints against the actions of their landlord’s agents for fear of souring future relationships.