Northumberland farmer calls for mutual solutions to be found to landlord/tenant issues in difficult times

Mark Bridgeman, who manages Fallodon Estate, near Alnwick, issued the advice on behalf of the Country Land and Business Association (CLA), of which he is president.

The CLA and The Tenant Farmers Association (TFA) are working together to support landlords and their farming tenants impacted by the current Covid-19 pandemic.

The plea is made in respect of all tenancy matters, but particularly rent payments, notices to quit and finalising new tenancy agreements.

Mark said: “We know that landowners value their relationships with tenants deeply, and we are working with CLA members to underline the importance of working closely with tenants who are experiencing difficulties due to coronavirus.

“We have advised landlords to discuss with farming tenants any problems they are facing so that a mutual solution can be found.

“We also suggest that, as far as possible, current disputes are put on hold and that formal proceedings for any non-payment of rent are used only as a matter of extreme last resort.”

TFA national chairman Mark Coulman said: “It is inevitable that some tenants will struggle to meet rent payments or other tenancy obligations due to cashflow difficulties or other knock-on impacts of the coronavirus situation. In these circumstances we are urging landlords and tenants to work together to agree alternative arrangements.”

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