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Practical help for tenant farmers, landlords and agents

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Agricultural tenancies are complex, and when difficulties arise, they can have serious consequences for everyone involved.

If you’re facing a specific problem with a tenancy, or communication has broken down, we can offer guidance on what good practice looks like and the options available to you.

In some cases, the Tenant Farming Commissioner (TFC) can also investigate alleged breaches of the published Codes of Practice and make recommendations to help resolve issues.

Our role is to help people find fair, practical ways forward while ensuring the standards set out in the Codes are upheld across the sector.

Who the support is for

This service is open to anyone involved in agricultural tenancies in Scotland, including:

Tenant farmers seeking clarity or advice on their rights and responsibilities.
Landlords and agents who want to make sure they are following good practice.
Family members or successors involved in decisions about tenanted holdings.

We aim to provide balanced, practical guidance to help everyone navigate tenancy issues fairly and confidently.

What support is available

Our tenant farming helpline helps people understand and apply good practice in Scottish tenant farming.

Through this service, you can:

Speak directly to an adviser for impartial guidance.
Access and download Codes of Practice and guides.
Get information about the valuation process for relinquishment or assignation.
Access information and apply for our mediation scheme , which can help rebuild dialogue and reach solutions without legal action.
Be signposted to professional or sector organisations for more specialised help.

You can also explore case studies which show what responsible and constructive relationships look like in practice.

When to get in touch

You can contact us if:

Communication between a tenant and landlord has broken down or become difficult.
You believe a Code of Practice may have been breached.
You’re thinking about assigning or relinquishing a tenancy and want to understand what’s involved.
You’re unsure what good practice looks like in a particular situation.

The TFC also has a formal role when a tenant chooses to relinquish a 1991 Act tenancy, the TFC must appoint an independent, qualified valuer to calculate what the landlord should pay to the tenant. To do this, the Commissioner keeps a panel of experienced valuers who understand the tenant farming sector.

If the tenant and landlord agree on a preferred valuer, they can put that name forward.
If not, the Commissioner will select a valuer from the panel to make sure the process remains fair and independent.

These steps are in place to make the process clear, consistent and transparent for everyone involved.

Useful resources

Mediation – finding a fair resolution

Sometimes, even with the best intentions, disagreements arise. Mediation can help both parties reach a fair solution without resorting to legal action.

It’s a voluntary, confidential process led by an independent mediator who understands the tenant farming sector.

If you’re unsure whether mediation is right for your situation, our advisers can talk you through the process.

More about mediation

Other sources of help

Depending on your situation, you may also want to contact:

NFU Scotland – advice and representation for landlords and tenant farmers.
Scottish Land & Estates – guidance for landlords and land managers.
Scottish Tenant Farmers Association (STFA) – specialist advice and support for tenant farmers.
Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) – for professional valuers and agents.
SAAVA/CAAV (Scottish Agricultural Arbiters and Valuers Association / Central Association of Agricultural Valuers) – professional bodies for valuers, agents and arbitrators.
ALA (Agricultural Law Association) – legal and policy expertise for those involved in rural land and tenancy issues.
Royal Scottish Agriculture Benevolent Institution (RSABI) – practical, financial and emotional support for people working in Scottish agriculture.

Further advice and information

Explore our dedicated resources for tenants, landlords and agents:

Tenant Farming Helpline

If you’d like to speak to someone, we are here to help.

There are 3 main ways to get in touch:

Call us on 01463 423 300
Email us at tfc@landcommission.gov.scot
Fill in the online contact form to tell us a bit about your situation.

We handle all conversations sensitively. However, as a public body, we are subject to Freedom of Information legislation. You can read more about how we handle personal information in our privacy policy.