Following the publication of the Agricultural Landlord and Tenant Code of Practice for England in April 2024, on which we reported here, a similar code of practice for Wales was published on 2 April. The development of the Agricultural Landlord and Tenant Code of Practice for Wales was led by an expert panel, convened and facilitated by Welsh Government, which brought together representatives from National Farmers Union Cymru (NFU Cymru), Farmers Union of Wales (FUW), Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS), Central Association of Agricultural Valuers (CAAV), YFC Wales, Agricultural Law Association (ALA), Country Land and Business Association (CLA) and the Tenant Farmers Association Cymru (TFA Cymru) ensuring a broad and balanced range of perspectives from across the tenanted sector. It provides guidance on the standards of behaviour expected from all landlords and tenants as well as those providing professional advice in connection with agricultural tenancy matters. Drawing on existing codes and best practice guides, the code reflects the specific needs and context of Wales, and aims to foster transparency, fairness and mutual respect between tenants, landlords, their representatives and professional advisers in Wales. Our Mark Sanders was the RICS representative on the Welsh Government’s expert panel.
The wording and underlying messaging of the two codes are similar but there are a number of differences that reflect the particular circumstances relevant to Wales. Unlike in England, there is currently no intention to appoint a commissioner for the tenant farming sector in Wales.
For members of the RICS, the Agricultural Landlord and Tenant Code of Practice for Wales is now part of the suite of RICS standards by which their professional conduct and behaviours are judged and, although it is a voluntary code, RICS has said that RICS Regulation will be mindful of its existence and will take due note of what best practice looks like.
A copy of the English language version of the code can be read here a’r fersiwn Cymraeg yma.
