Scottish tenant farmers and landlords are once more at loggerheads over rents.
The Scottish Tenant Farmers Association (STFA) has called for a reduction in rents in line with poor farm incomes this year – it claims some farmers are being asked to pay up to 80% more in rent.
This follows news from its counterparts south of the border that rent reductions of around 10% were being agreed by many English landlords.
STFA director Angus McCall said: “Whilst we are pleased for fellow tenants in England that rents are falling, it is vexing that Scottish rents are unable to react to economic and climatic pressures to the same extent. The feedback we are getting from members that, although rent demands are, in the main pegged to the inflationary index brokered by the industry, landlords are still expecting increases, even from rents agreed three years ago.
“There are, of course, the usual maverick land agents who are determined to push the boundaries with totally unreasonable demands, in one case a rent rise of more than 80% is being demanded on a rent agreed three years ago.”
He said the difference in rental behaviour between the neighbouring countries showed the current tenancy system was not working.
Responding, landowners body Scottish Land and Estates said the comments from the STFA undermined the work being done to improve relations in the sector.
Chairman David Johnstone said: “Only last month the three main industry bodies, together with the Independent Advisor on Tenant Farming, signed-off on joint guidance on negotiating and conducting rent reviews. We would encourage all parties to adhere to the guidance.
“We had hoped that there was a real spirit of co-operation amongst key industry bodies to create and build a framework for a modern, vibrant tenanted sector and we are very willing to continue to work with the STFA to achieve this end despite unhelpful statements.”