Agricultural Holdings Act

Question 1

When was the Agricultural Holdings Act

Answer 1

1986

Question 2

Define Agricultural Holding

Answer 2

Section 1 AHA 1986
the aggregate of land (whether agricultural or not) comprised in a contract of tenancy which is a contract for an agricultural tenancy not being a contract under which land is let to the Tenant during his continuance in any office, appointment or employment held under the Landlord

Question 3

Definition of Agricultural Land

Answer 3

S.109 Agricultural Act 1947

Question 4

Definition of Agriculture

Answer 4

AHA 1986
Horticulture, fruit and seed growing, diary farming, livestock breeding and keeping and land used in connection with grazing, meadow land, osier land, market gardens, nurseries, woodland ancillary to farming or agricultural purposes

Question 5

Date commencing succession tenancies

Answer 5

1st July 1974

on all tenancies began after this date and which had a term of 2 years or more

Question 6

Date on which succession tenancies were no longer granted

Answer 6

12 July 1986

Question 7

short term agreements under the act

Answer 7

Gladstone V Bower Agreements were of upto 18 months and did not comply with the 1986 act.

Question 8

Tenancies which were exempt from AHA protection

Answer 8

grazing licences, ministry consent tenancies, sub-tenancies, express statutory exceptions (section 2)

Question 9

How is security of tenure afforded to AHA tenants

Answer 9

s.2 and 3 of the AHA restrict the instances on which a Landlord can serve a Notice to Quit on the Tenant.

Question 10

General Notices to Quit

Answer 10

General Notices to Quit can be served at any point giving a 12 month notice period s.27
Tenants are able to serve counter notices refering the matter to the First Tier Tribunal s.26
At tribunal Landlord’s must present evidence and prove why they want tenants out, they must appear reasonable in their requests.

Question 11

Notices to Quit using the Cases

Answer 11

Under Schedule 3 of the AHA there are 8 notices to Quit
Case A - Council Tenants which are more than 65
Case B - Non-agricultural use
Case C -Certificate of bad husbandry
Case D - Non compliance with a Notice to Pay or a Notice to Remedy
Case E - Irredemiable breach of the tenancy
Case F - Financial difficulties - Bankrupt tenant
Case G - Tenant’s death

Question 12

What must a valid Notice to Quit Have?

Answer 12

Must be in writing
Must comply with the tenancy agreements contractual requirements
Must comply with statutory requirements

Question 13

Notices to Quit Part

Answer 13

Allowed under s.31 - generally used for Case B

Question 14

Sources of Dispute Resolution

Answer 14

Arbitration
Tribunals
Court

Question 15

arbitration Demands following a Notice to Quit

Answer 15

Where Tenant’s contest a Notice to Quit Landlords must apply to the First Tier Tribunal within one month to demand to go to arbitration if they receive a Notice to Quit under cases A-E

Question 16

Notices to Quit disputes for Cases C, F, G or H

Answer 16

Must go to Court, cannot dispute reason only validity of notice

Question 17

Surrender

Answer 17

Tenants may give the tenancy up with the Landlord’s consent at any time. Either expressly by deed, impliedly or through operational law.

Question 18

Dilapidations / Tenant Improvement Claims following a Surrender

Answer 18

Covered under s.3 AHA

Question 19

Forfeiture

Answer 19

Tenancies must have a valid forfeiture clause, LAndlords proceed with forfeiture and sue for damages and breach of covenants. Must give Tenants a month notice and accept the requirement to pay compensation for improvements and fixtures as negotiated. Must comply with s.146 Law of Property Act 1925

Question 20

Case law requiring clear and unambiguous notices, with clear intentions

Answer 20

Mannai Investment Co Ltd V Eagle Star Life Assurance Co Ltd.

Question 21

Enlargement of a notice to quit part

Answer 21

s.32 allows Tenants on receipt of a notice to quit part can serve a counter notice within 28days to enlarge the notice to cover the whole property. Disturbance is payable under s.63.

Question 22

Rent Variation following notice to quit part

Answer 22

S.33, doesn’t impact overall 3 year cycle. Must be proportionate to the land lost and must account for depreciation in value of the remaining holding.

Question 23

Landlord Dilapidation Claim on the tenancies termination

Answer 23

s.71 - compensation for dilapidation, deterioration and damage or nonfulfilment of a tenancy clause under the rules of good husbandry .11 1947Agriculture Act. Compensation payabel is cost of making good damage, but this cannot exceed the amount of the Landlord’s diminished reversionary value for the holding.

Question 24

Where can the rules of good husbandry be found

Answer 24

s.11 1947 Agriculture Act

Question 25

How long do Landlords have to make dilapidations claims at the end of the tenancy?

Answer 25

2 months

Must state under what grounds claims will be made on their notice to the tenant.