OpenLegislation

Agricultural Holdings Act 1986

1986 c. 5 · Enacted 18 March 1986 · Extends to United Kingdom

Not fully up to date. 4 changes made by later legislation have not yet been written into this text, which is revised to 1 May 2026.

See the changes not yet applied
ProvisionChangeMade by
Sch. 3 Pt. 2 para. 8(2)words insertedPlanning (Consequential Provisions) (Wales) Act 2026 Sch. 2 para. 213(a)
Sch. 3 Pt. 2 para. 8A(1)words insertedPlanning (Consequential Provisions) (Wales) Act 2026 Sch. 2 para. 213(b)(i)
Sch. 3 Pt. 2 para. 8A(3)insertedPlanning (Consequential Provisions) (Wales) Act 2026 Sch. 2 para. 213(b)(ii)
Sch. 6 para. 1(3)amended (prosp.)Family Law Act 1996 s. 66(1) Sch. 8 Pt. 1 para. 36

An Act to consolidate certain enactments relating to agricultural holdings, with amendments to give effect to recommendations of the Law Commission.

[18th March 1986]

C1C2C3C4C5C6Be it enacted by the Queen’s most Excellent Majesty, by and with the advice and consent of the Lords Spiritual and Temporal, and Commons, in this present Parliament assembled, and by the authority of the same, as follows:—C7C8

Annotations to the whole text

Modifications

C1

A Table showing the derivation of the provisions of this consolidation Act will be found at the end of the Act. The Table has no official status.

C2

Act modified by Opencast Coal Act 1958 (c. 69, SIF 86), s. 14(2)–(4) as substituted by Housing and Planning Act 1986 (c. 63, SIF 86), s. 39(3), Sch. 8 para. 5

C3

Act excluded (1.9.1995) by 1995 c. 8, ss. 4(1), 41(2) (with s. 37)

C4

Act excluded (3.11.1994) by 1991 c. 53, s. 84(3)(d) (as substituted by 1994 c. 33, s. 96)

C5

Act (except Sch. 12 para. 4(1)(a)): transfer of functions (1.7.1999) by S.I. 1999/672, art. 2, Sch. 1

C6

Act excluded (1.8.2000) by 1999 c. 33, s. 149(3)(d); S.I. 2000/1985, art. 2

C7

Act excluded (20.3.2015) by Criminal Justice and Courts Act 2015 (c. 2), s. 95(1), Sch. 10 para. 3(1)(e); S.I. 2015/778, art. 2(1)(d)

C8

Act continued (W.) (1.9.2024) by The Agricultural Holdings (Requests for Landlord’s Consent or Variation of Terms and the Suitability Test) (Wales) Regulations 2024 (S.I. 2024/798), regs. 1(2)(b), 6(2)

Contents

  1. Part I: Introductory
  2. 1Principal definitions.
  3. 2Restriction on letting agricultural land for less than from year to year.
  4. 3Tenancies for two years or more to continue from year to year unless terminated by notice.
  5. 4Death of tenant before term date.
  6. 5Restriction on agreements excluding effect of section 3.
  7. Part II: Provisions Affecting Tenancy During its Continuance
  8. Written tenancy agreements
  9. 6Right to written tenancy agreement.
  10. Fixed equipment
  11. 7The model clauses.
  12. 8Arbitration or third party determination where terms of written agreement are inconsistent with the model clauses.
  13. 9Transitional arrangements where liability in respect of fixed equipment transferred.
  14. 10Tenant’s right to remove fixtures and buildings.
  15. 11Provision of fixed equipment necessary to comply with statutory requirements.
  16. Variation of rent
  17. 12Arbitration or third party determination of rent.
  18. 13Increases of rent for landlord’s improvements.
  19. Cultivation of land and disposal of produce
  20. 14Variation of terms of tenancies as to permanent pasture.
  21. 15Disposal of produce and cropping.
  22. Distress Repealed
  23. 16No distress for rent due more than a year previously. Repealed
  24. 17Compensation to be set off against rent for purposes of distress. Repealed
  25. 18Restrictions on distraining on property of third party. Repealed
  26. 19Settlement of disputes as to distress. Repealed
  27. Miscellaneous
  28. 19ADisputes relating to requests for landlord's consent or variation of terms
  29. 20Compensation for damage by game.
  30. 21Extension of tenancies in lieu of claims to emblements.
  31. 22Rights to require certain records to be made.
  32. 23Landlord’s power of entry.
  33. 24Restriction of landlord’s remedies for breach of contract of tenancy.
  34. Part III: Notices to Quit
  35. Notices to quit whole or part of agricultural holding
  36. 25Length of notice to quit.
  37. 26Restriction on operation of notices to quit.
  38. 27Tribunal’s consent to operation of notice to quit.
  39. 28Additional restrictions on operation of notice to quit given under Case D.
  40. 29Power to make supplementary provision.
  41. 30Notice to quit where tenant is a service man.
  42. Notices to quit part of agricultural holding
  43. 31Notice to quit part of holding valid in certain cases.
  44. 32Right to treat notice to quit part of holding as notice to quit entire holding.
  45. 33Reduction of rent where notice is given to quit part of holding.
  46. Part IV: Succession on Death or Retirement of Tenant
  47. Tenancies to which Part IV applies
  48. 34Tenancies to which Part IV applies.
  49. Succession on death of tenant
  50. 35Application of sections 36 to 48.
  51. 36Right of any eligible person to apply for new tenancy on death of tenant.
  52. 37Exclusion of statutory succession where two successions have already occurred.
  53. 38Other excluded cases.
  54. 39Applications for tenancy of holding.
  55. 40Provisions supplementary to section 39.
  56. 41Application by not fully eligible person to be treated as eligible.
  57. 42Procedure where deceased held more than one holding.
  58. 43Restriction on operation of notice to quit given by reason of death of tenant.
  59. 44Opportunity for landlord to obtain Tribunal’s consent to operation of notice to quit.
  60. 45Effect of direction under section 39.
  61. 46Interpretation of section 45.
  62. 47Terms of new tenancy unless varied by arbitration or third party determination .
  63. 48Arbitration or third party determination on terms of new tenancy.
  64. Succession on retirement of tenant
  65. 49Application of sections 50 to 58.
  66. 50Right to apply for new tenancy on retirement of tenant.
  67. 51Excluded cases.
  68. 52Notices to quit restricting operation of section 53.
  69. 53Application for tenancy of holding by nominated successor.
  70. 54Restriction on operation of certain notices to quit.
  71. 55Effect of direction under section 53.
  72. 56Terms of new tenancy.
  73. 57Effect of death of retiring tenant on succession to the holding.
  74. 58Effect of direction under section 53 on succession to other holdings. Repealed
  75. Interpretation
  76. 59Interpretation of Part IV.
  77. Part V: Compensation on Termination of Tenancy
  78. Compensation to tenant for disturbance
  79. 60Right to, and measure of, compensation for disturbance.
  80. 61Cases where compensation under section 60 is not payable.
  81. 62Compensation on termination in pursuance of early resumption clause.
  82. 63Compensation for disturbance: supplementary provisions.
  83. Compensation to tenant for improvements and tenant-right matters
  84. 64Tenant’s right to compensation for improvements.
  85. 65Tenant’s right to compensation for tenant-right matters.
  86. 66Measure of compensation.
  87. 67Compensation for long-term improvements: consent required.
  88. 68Improvements: special cases.
  89. 69Improvements: successive tenancies.
  90. Compensation to tenant for adoption of special system of farming
  91. 70Compensation for special system of farming.
  92. Compensation to landlord for deterioration of holding
  93. 71Compensation for deterioration of particular parts of holding.
  94. 72Compensation for general deterioration of holding.
  95. 73Deterioration of holding: successive tenancies.
  96. Supplementary provisions with respect to compensation
  97. 74Termination of tenancy of part of holding.
  98. 75Compensation where reversionary estate in holding is severed.
  99. 76Restrictions on compensation for things done in compliance with this Act.
  100. 77No compensation under custom for improvement or tenant-right matter.
  101. 78Extent to which compensation recoverable under agreements.
  102. Part VI: Market Gardens and Smallholdings
  103. 79Additional rights with respect to improvements for tenants of market gardens.
  104. 80Power of Tribunal to direct holding to be treated as market garden.
  105. 81Agreements as to compensation relating to market gardens.
  106. 82Application of section 15 to smallholdings.
  107. Part VII: Miscellaneous and Supplemental
  108. 83Settlement of claims on termination of tenancy.
  109. 84Arbitrations.
  110. 84AThird party determinations
  111. 85Enforcement.
  112. 86Power of landlord to obtain charge on holding.
  113. 87General provisions as to charges under this Act on holdings.
  114. 88Power of limited owners to give consents etc.
  115. 89Power of limited owners to apply capital for improvements.
  116. 90Estimation of best rent for purposes of Acts and other instruments.
  117. 91Power of Minister to vary Schedules 7, 8 and 10.
  118. 92Advisory committee on valuation of improvements and tenant-right matters. Repealed
  119. 93Service of notices.
  120. 94Orders and regulations.
  121. 95Crown land.
  122. 96Interpretation.
  123. 97Saving for other rights etc.
  124. 98Application of Act to old tenancies etc.
  125. 99Transitional provisions and savings.
  126. 100Consequential amendments.
  127. 101Repeals and revocations.
  128. 102Citation, commencement and extent.
  129. Schedule 1: Matters for Which Provision is to be Made in Written Tenancy Agreements
  130. 1Paragraph 1
  131. 2Paragraph 2
  132. 3Paragraph 3
  133. 4Paragraph 4
  134. 5Paragraph 5
  135. 6Paragraph 6
  136. 7Paragraph 7
  137. 8Paragraph 8
  138. 9Paragraph 9
  139. Schedule 2: Arbitration or Third Party Determination of Rent: Provisions Supplementary to Section 12
  140. Amount of rent
  141. 1Paragraph 1
  142. 2Paragraph 2
  143. 3Paragraph 3
  144. Frequency of determinations under section 12
  145. 4Paragraph 4
  146. 5Paragraph 5
  147. 6Paragraph 6
  148. 7Paragraph 7
  149. Schedule 3: Cases Where Consent Of Tribunal To Operation Of Notice To Quit Is Not Required
  150. Part I: The Cases
  151. Chapter: CASE A
  152. Paragraph
  153. Chapter: Case B
  154. Paragraph
  155. Chapter: CASE C
  156. Paragraph
  157. Chapter: CASE D
  158. Paragraph
  159. Chapter: CASE E
  160. Paragraph
  161. Chapter: CASE F
  162. Paragraph
  163. Chapter: CASE G
  164. Paragraph
  165. Chapter: CASE H
  166. Paragraph
  167. Part II: Supplementary Provisions Applicable to Cases A, B, C, D, E and G
  168. Provisions applicable to Case A
  169. 1Paragraph 1
  170. 2Paragraph 2
  171. 3Paragraph 3
  172. 4Paragraph 4
  173. 5Paragraph 5
  174. 6Paragraph 6
  175. 7Paragraph 7
  176. Provisions applicable to Case B
  177. 8Paragraph 8
  178. 8AParagraph 8A
  179. Provisions applicable to Case C
  180. 9Paragraph 9
  181. Provisions applicable to Case D
  182. 10Paragraph 10
  183. Provisions applicable to Case E
  184. 11Paragraph 11
  185. Provisions applicable to Case G
  186. 12Paragraph 12
  187. Schedule 4: Matters for Which Provision may be made by Order Under Section 29
  188. 1Paragraph 1
  189. 2Paragraph 2
  190. 3Paragraph 3
  191. 4Paragraph 4
  192. 5Paragraph 5
  193. 6Paragraph 6
  194. 7Paragraph 7
  195. 8Paragraph 8
  196. 9Paragraph 9
  197. 10Paragraph 10
  198. 11Paragraph 11
  199. 12Paragraph 12
  200. 13Paragraph 13
  201. Schedule 5: Notice to Quit Where Tenant is a Service Man
  202. 1Paragraph 1
  203. 2Paragraph 2
  204. 3Paragraph 3
  205. 4Paragraph 4
  206. 5Paragraph 5
  207. 6Paragraph 6
  208. Schedule 6: Eligibility to Apply For New Tenancy Under Part IV of this Act Repealed
  209. Part I: “Eligible Person”: Supplementary Provisions Repealed
  210. Preliminary Repealed
  211. 1Paragraph 1 Repealed
  212. The livelihood condition Repealed
  213. 2Paragraph 2 Repealed
  214. Commercial unit of agricultural land Repealed
  215. 3Paragraph 3 Repealed
  216. 4Paragraph 4 Repealed
  217. Ministerial statements as to net annual income of land Repealed
  218. 5Paragraph 5 Repealed
  219. Occupation to be disregarded for purposes of occupancy condition Repealed
  220. 6Paragraph 6 Repealed
  221. Joint occupation Repealed
  222. 7Paragraph 7 Repealed
  223. Deemed occupation in case of Tribunal direction Repealed
  224. 8Paragraph 8 Repealed
  225. Occupation by spouse , civil partner or controlled company Repealed
  226. 9Paragraph 9 Repealed
  227. Deemed occupation in case of tenancy or licence granted by close relative, spouse , civil partner or controlled company Repealed
  228. 10Paragraph 10 Repealed
  229. Part II: Modifications of Part I of this Schedule in its Application to Succession on Retirement Repealed
  230. 11Paragraph 11 Repealed
  231. 12Paragraph 12 Repealed
  232. 13Paragraph 13 Repealed
  233. 14Paragraph 14 Repealed
  234. 15Paragraph 15 Repealed
  235. 16Paragraph 16 Repealed
  236. Schedule 7: Long-Term Improvements begun on or after 1st March 1948 for which Compensation is Payable
  237. Part I: Improvements to which Consent of Landlord Required
  238. 1Paragraph 1
  239. 2Paragraph 2
  240. 3Paragraph 3
  241. 4Paragraph 4
  242. 5Paragraph 5
  243. 6Paragraph 6
  244. 7Paragraph 7
  245. 8Paragraph 8
  246. Part II: Improvements to which Consent of Landlord or Approval of Tribunal Required
  247. 9Paragraph 9
  248. 10Paragraph 10
  249. 11Paragraph 11
  250. 12Paragraph 12
  251. 13Paragraph 13
  252. 14Paragraph 14
  253. 15Paragraph 15
  254. 16Paragraph 16
  255. 17Paragraph 17
  256. 18Paragraph 18
  257. 19Paragraph 19
  258. 20Paragraph 20
  259. 21Paragraph 21
  260. 22Paragraph 22
  261. 23Paragraph 23
  262. 24Paragraph 24
  263. 25Paragraph 25
  264. 26Paragraph 26
  265. 27Paragraph 27
  266. 28Paragraph 28
  267. Schedule 8: Short-Term Improvements Begun on or After 1st March 1948, and other Matters, for which Compensation is Payable
  268. Part I: Improvements (to which no Consent Required)
  269. 1Paragraph 1
  270. 2Paragraph 2
  271. 3Paragraph 3
  272. 4Paragraph 4
  273. 4AParagraph 4A
  274. 4BParagraph 4B
  275. 5Paragraph 5 Repealed
  276. 5AParagraph 5A
  277. 5BParagraph 5B
  278. 6Paragraph 6 Repealed
  279. Part II: Tenant-Right Matters
  280. 7Paragraph 7
  281. 8Paragraph 8
  282. 9Paragraph 9
  283. 10Paragraph 10
  284. 11Paragraph 11
  285. Schedule 9: Compensation to Tenant for Improvements Begun Before 1st March 1948
  286. Part I: Tenant’s Right to Compensation for Old Improvements
  287. 1Paragraph 1
  288. 2Paragraph 2
  289. 3Paragraph 3
  290. 4Paragraph 4
  291. 5Paragraph 5
  292. Part II: Old Improvements for which Compensation is Payable
  293. 1Paragraph 1
  294. 2Paragraph 2
  295. 3Paragraph 3
  296. 4Paragraph 4
  297. 5Paragraph 5
  298. 6Paragraph 6
  299. 7Paragraph 7
  300. 8Paragraph 8
  301. 9Paragraph 9
  302. 10Paragraph 10
  303. 11Paragraph 11
  304. 12Paragraph 12
  305. 13Paragraph 13
  306. 14Paragraph 14
  307. 15Paragraph 15
  308. 16Paragraph 16
  309. Schedule 10: Market Garden Improvements
  310. 1Paragraph 1
  311. 2Paragraph 2
  312. 3Paragraph 3
  313. 4Paragraph 4
  314. 5Paragraph 5
  315. Schedule 11
  316. Appointment and remuneration of arbitrator
  317. 1Paragraph 1
  318. 2Paragraph 2
  319. 3Paragraph 3
  320. 4Paragraph 4
  321. 5Paragraph 5
  322. 6Paragraph 6
  323. Conduct of proceedings and witnesses
  324. 7Paragraph 7
  325. 8Paragraph 8
  326. 9Paragraph 9
  327. 10Paragraph 10
  328. 11Paragraph 11
  329. 12Paragraph 12
  330. 13Paragraph 13
  331. Award
  332. 14Paragraph 14
  333. 15Paragraph 15
  334. 16Paragraph 16
  335. 17Paragraph 17
  336. 18Paragraph 18
  337. 19Paragraph 19
  338. 20Paragraph 20
  339. Reasons for award
  340. 21Paragraph 21
  341. Interest on awards
  342. 22Paragraph 22
  343. Costs
  344. 23Paragraph 23
  345. 24Paragraph 24
  346. 25Paragraph 25
  347. Special case, setting aside award and remission
  348. 26Paragraph 26
  349. 27Paragraph 27
  350. 28Paragraph 28
  351. Miscellaneous
  352. 29Paragraph 29
  353. 30Paragraph 30
  354. 31Paragraph 31
  355. 32Paragraph 32
  356. Schedule 12: Modifications Applicable to Old Tenancies and other Similar Cases
  357. General
  358. 1Paragraph 1
  359. 2Paragraph 2
  360. Right to remove fixtures
  361. 3Paragraph 3
  362. Notices to quit
  363. 4Paragraph 4
  364. Compensation for improvements
  365. 5Paragraph 5
  366. Compensation for tenant-right matters
  367. 6Paragraph 6
  368. 7Paragraph 7
  369. 8Paragraph 8
  370. 9Paragraph 9
  371. Market gardens
  372. 10Paragraph 10
  373. Schedule 13: Transitional Provisions and Savings
  374. Construction of references to old and new law
  375. 1Paragraph 1
  376. 2Paragraph 2
  377. Continuation of old law for certain pending cases
  378. 3Paragraph 3
  379. Periods of time
  380. 4Paragraph 4
  381. Transfer of functions
  382. 5Paragraph 5
  383. 6Paragraph 6
  384. 7Paragraph 7 Repealed
  385. Compensation
  386. 8Paragraph 8
  387. Right to remove fixtures
  388. 9Paragraph 9
  389. Compensation for damage by game
  390. 10Paragraph 10
  391. Succession on death or retirement
  392. 11Paragraph 11
  393. 12Paragraph 12
  394. Record of condition of holding
  395. 13Paragraph 13
  396. Insolvency
  397. 14Paragraph 14
  398. Forms for arbitration
  399. 15Paragraph 15 Repealed
  400. Notices to quit
  401. 16Paragraph 16
  402. Schedule 14: Consequential Amendments
  403. The Small Holdings and Allotments Act 1908
  404. 1Paragraph 1
  405. 2Paragraph 2
  406. 3Paragraph 3
  407. The Law of Distress Amendment Act 1908
  408. 4Paragraph 4
  409. The Chequers Estate Act 1917
  410. 5Paragraph 5
  411. The Land Settlement (Facilities) Act 1919
  412. 6Paragraph 6
  413. 7Paragraph 7 Repealed
  414. 8Paragraph 8 Repealed
  415. The Allotments Act 1922
  416. 9Paragraph 9
  417. 10Paragraph 10
  418. The Settled Land Act 1925
  419. 11Paragraph 11
  420. The Law of Property Act 1925
  421. 12Paragraph 12 Repealed
  422. ...
  423. 13Paragraph 13 Repealed
  424. The Landlord and Tenant Act 1927
  425. 14Paragraph 14
  426. 15Paragraph 15
  427. The Agricultural Credits Act 1928
  428. 16Paragraph 16
  429. The Leasehold Property (Repairs) Act 1938
  430. 17Paragraph 17
  431. The Agriculture Act 1947
  432. 18Paragraph 18
  433. 19Paragraph 19 Repealed
  434. The Reserve and Auxiliary Forces (Protection of Civil Interests) Act 1951
  435. 20Paragraph 20
  436. The Landlord and Tenant Act 1954
  437. 21Paragraph 21
  438. 22Paragraph 22
  439. The Agriculture (Safety, Health and Welfare Provisions) Act 1956
  440. 23Paragraph 23
  441. The Coal-Mining (Subsidence) Act 1957
  442. 24Paragraph 24 Repealed
  443. The Opencast Coal Act 1958
  444. 25Paragraph 25
  445. 26Paragraph 26
  446. 27Paragraph 27
  447. 28Paragraph 28
  448. 29Paragraph 29
  449. 30Paragraph 30
  450. 31Paragraph 31
  451. 32Paragraph 32
  452. 33Paragraph 33
  453. The Chevening Estate Act 1959
  454. 34Paragraph 34
  455. The Horticulture Act 1960
  456. 35Paragraph 35 Repealed
  457. The Agriculture (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1963
  458. 36Paragraph 36
  459. The Agriculture Act 1967
  460. 37Paragraph 37
  461. 38Paragraph 38
  462. 39Paragraph 39
  463. 40Paragraph 40
  464. 41Paragraph 41
  465. 42Paragraph 42
  466. The Leasehold Reform Act 1967
  467. 43Paragraph 43
  468. The Agriculture (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1968
  469. 44Paragraph 44
  470. 45Paragraph 45
  471. 46Paragraph 46
  472. 47Paragraph 47
  473. 48Paragraph 48
  474. The Tribunals and Inquiries Act 1971
  475. 49Paragraph 49 Repealed
  476. The Town and Country Planning Act 1971
  477. 50Paragraph 50
  478. The Land Charges Act 1972
  479. 51Paragraph 51
  480. The Land Compensation Act 1973
  481. 52Paragraph 52
  482. 53Paragraph 53
  483. 54Paragraph 54
  484. 55Paragraph 55
  485. 56Paragraph 56
  486. The Rent (Agriculture) Act 1976
  487. 57Paragraph 57
  488. 58Paragraph 58
  489. The Rent Act 1977
  490. 59Paragraph 59
  491. 60Paragraph 60
  492. The Protection from Eviction Act 1977
  493. 61Paragraph 61
  494. The Cycle Tracks Act 1984
  495. 62Paragraph 62
  496. The Housing Act 1985
  497. 63Paragraph 63
  498. The Landlord and Tenant Act 1985
  499. 64Paragraph 64
  500. Schedule 15: Repeals and Revocations
  501. IRepeals
  502. IIRevocations