The Accidental Smallholder Forum

Community => Coffee Lounge => Topic started by: Hardfeather on February 25, 2011, 10:22:23 pm

Title: 38 acre holding for lease-Kerrera
Post by: Hardfeather on February 25, 2011, 10:22:23 pm
http://www.bellingram.co.uk/properties/show/566 (http://www.bellingram.co.uk/properties/show/566)
Title: Re: 38 acre holding for lease-Kerrera
Post by: Sandy on February 25, 2011, 10:30:49 pm
Woow peace and fresh air in abundance, mind you, if we moved there we would be fueled up all the time with Scottish water  ;) ;) The realist and my body say we are better off where we are but we can dream, would love somewhere like that!!
Title: Re: 38 acre holding for lease-Kerrera
Post by: doganjo on February 25, 2011, 10:56:38 pm
Too wet and windy for me, and the house is a mess with the burst pipes and needs work, and it's for let for 20 years.  Best of luck to them.
Title: Re: 38 acre holding for lease-Kerrera
Post by: faith0504 on February 26, 2011, 01:47:33 pm
oh i like that  :wave:
Title: Re: 38 acre holding for lease-Kerrera
Post by: bloomer on February 26, 2011, 02:01:00 pm
what kind of money does land like that command as they are expecting a lot of investment just to get the farm house useable...
Title: Re: 38 acre holding for lease-Kerrera
Post by: shetlandpaul on February 26, 2011, 02:37:46 pm
ag tenancy. you do the work improve it and then they bung up your rent. should it not be a croft.
Title: Re: 38 acre holding for lease-Kerrera
Post by: josie101170 on March 05, 2011, 08:34:15 pm
Hi, I saw this small holding but they are asking for monthly rent offers.  :chook:  Has anyone any idea of what a suitable offer would be?  There is a lot of work to be done and no images of inside the house.  Any opinion appreciated!   :farmer:
Title: Re: 38 acre holding for lease-Kerrera
Post by: doganjo on March 05, 2011, 09:39:19 pm
If you really think you'd like to live there check with the local agents/lawyers who should be able to work out a reasonable figure.  But you'd better check inside the place first. As Paul says, the tenant does all the work, spends the money, improves the property, and the owner benefits every time.  But if there's no alternative for you then it may be worthwhile investigating.
Title: Re: 38 acre holding for lease-Kerrera
Post by: Sandy on March 05, 2011, 10:03:41 pm
 ;D
Title: Re: 38 acre holding for lease-Kerrera
Post by: Hardfeather on March 06, 2011, 06:05:43 pm
As Paul says, the tenant does all the work, spends the money, improves the property, and the owner benefits every time. 

Not if it's a peppercorn rent.
Title: Re: 38 acre holding for lease-Kerrera
Post by: josie101170 on March 06, 2011, 08:35:54 pm
Peppercorn rent? Am  being really daft?  ??? It's a 20 year lease, so the wallpaper could be made to last!!!!  It looks a gorgeous place....can't find any guide amounts for monthly lease costs anywhere, though.  Thank you for your comments  :D
Title: Re: 38 acre holding for lease-Kerrera
Post by: doganjo on March 06, 2011, 10:07:39 pm
As Paul says, the tenant does all the work, spends the money, improves the property, and the owner benefits every time. 

Not if it's a peppercorn rent.
Who said it's a peppercorn rent, don't think it said that in the schedule  ???, and anyway, any improvement on a property is money in the owner's pockets not the renter. ::)
Title: Re: 38 acre holding for lease-Kerrera
Post by: shetlandpaul on March 07, 2011, 09:47:05 am
just phoned the company. they don't have an idea on the price. they just want people to bid for it. so they want you to travel there and then make bids. without a guide price even if i was intrested i would not be going for it. this does not sound like the price is sub market price.
Title: Re: 38 acre holding for lease-Kerrera
Post by: Hardfeather on March 07, 2011, 12:13:52 pm
Hmmm...not sure where you are all coming from now. :-\

It didn't say it was a peppercorn rent. I was just responding to Paul's negativity, and pointing out that, where a common need exists, some landlords and tenants can find a middle ground.

I visited a place recently, where the tenants of 30 years in equine business were going out, and the landlords are seeking new tenents. They paid a peppercorn rent, but they still had a lease agreement. The rent had been the same as they agreed initially, too, for all those years. They (the tenants) maintained most of the buildings in good order, but two were beyond help latterly, although the landlord had offered to upgrade them, and may still do so for the next tenants.

There are some good landlords out there, mine being one of them, who are happy to take a reasonable rent and look after their tenants. ;)

If no-one bids on the Kererra place, there might be a possibility of a peppercorn.

You're better where you are Paul... ;) I recognise your sentiments regarding the ultimate position of the landlord in relation to the effort and expense of the tenants, but some people are not in a position to buy and areleft with no choice but to put trust in mutual respect and get on with life. ;D
Title: Re: 38 acre holding for lease-Kerrera
Post by: Hermit on March 07, 2011, 01:15:09 pm
Surely if it is a rented croft then grants will pay for the work and the tenant gets betterment payments for the  improvements to the place when he leaves so all work is an investment. Dont know how Scottish Lairds work but estaes up here pay betterments.Looks a fantastic place and well worth a few sacrifices.
Title: Re: 38 acre holding for lease-Kerrera
Post by: josie101170 on March 07, 2011, 02:09:16 pm
What would you offer for the 20 year lease?  It is a bonny spot, but as has been mentioned, some folks have no choice but to rent and/or HOPE that they are considered!  I wish I could get it!!!  i'm wondering if the care of the land would make up for a minimal offer?  Anyone know what the rent is on 35 acres with a house?  :chook:
Title: Re: 38 acre holding for lease-Kerrera
Post by: shetlandpaul on March 07, 2011, 02:44:43 pm
hermit its not a croft. its rented on a 20 year lease. i did not say its not worth going for in fact its very nice . the house is in a poor state and will cost thousands to fix. i just think its unfair that they expect you to bid blind. if anyone does go for it please get a local to suggest a reasonable rental value.
Title: Re: 38 acre holding for lease-Kerrera
Post by: josie101170 on March 07, 2011, 04:13:15 pm
I'm trying to do that, ShetlandPaul......but no help so far!!!  It's driving me crazy...all I need is a ball park figure but everyone is keeping their cards close to their chest in the small Argyll community!!!
Title: Re: 38 acre holding for lease-Kerrera
Post by: doganjo on March 07, 2011, 04:21:35 pm
Even the estate agents???  They'll usually do anything for money!
Title: Re: 38 acre holding for lease-Kerrera
Post by: josie101170 on March 07, 2011, 04:40:14 pm
The vendors and even other estate agents!!! I thought they'd help out, but I suppose they hope to get the best/most in the offer or just not interfere.....the more I think of it, the more I would like to take it on.....just don't know what to offer....it's a complicating affair!!!
Title: Re: 38 acre holding for lease-Kerrera
Post by: doganjo on March 07, 2011, 04:43:35 pm
Go online and look for rented properties of a similar size all over the country, see what they are asking for rent, then make an allowance for condition of the land, condition of the property, location, then check up on available grants to a renter, or whether the owner has to apply for them.  If it's for you it won't go by you.  Do the homework (as fast as you can)and you should get it if you really do want it.  Good luck
Sites to look at to start you off.
http://www.carterjonas.co.uk/buy/farms-land-and-estates/search.aspx?pg=map&q=farmsAndEstates&pt=buy&np=0&xp=0&nb=0&st=0&sc=4&sqa=0 (http://www.carterjonas.co.uk/buy/farms-land-and-estates/search.aspx?pg=map&q=farmsAndEstates&pt=buy&np=0&xp=0&nb=0&st=0&sc=4&sqa=0)
http://www.localpropertyindex.com/Search/Rent/Farm/ (http://www.localpropertyindex.com/Search/Rent/Farm/)
http://www.agriseek.com/rental/e/Property/Farm/ (http://www.agriseek.com/rental/e/Property/Farm/)
http://www.farmsforrent.org/ (http://www.farmsforrent.org/)
Title: Re: 38 acre holding for lease-Kerrera
Post by: shetlandpaul on March 07, 2011, 05:04:13 pm
remember as of the first of april the smallholding won't qualify for aid from the crofting schemes. good news for us it means we don't have to go through the earnings bit.

its strange that the community wan't to expand but they are making it difficult for you. the solictor should have been willing to suggest a ball park figure but they would not. they have some intresting properties on there books. just need to win the lottery.
have you made contact with the people trying to promote the island they may have other property going for rent. the open aspect near the sea maybe nice in summer but what about a storm in winter.

if you really want it go and see it and then only bid what you can afford. good luck.
Title: Re: 38 acre holding for lease-Kerrera
Post by: josie101170 on March 07, 2011, 06:35:37 pm
Hi, thank you!!! shetlandpaul.....the weather doesn't put us off, we are currently in the same position facing the west coast, just 20 miles down the coast and we  used to farm on an island.....I'm away to do some homework with the aforementioned sites and weigh up the pros, cons and pennies!!!!
Title: Re: 38 acre holding for lease-Kerrera
Post by: ellied on March 08, 2011, 09:32:35 am
I had a look at this myself - you may be lucky as they say they're looking for other things than  just the offer price including proven agricultural skills to maintain the land, willingness to improve the buildings and continue to use them for agricultural purpose, whether commercial or hobby venture, and the type of person able to fit into a small island community..  so if you've already proved you can farm on an island and are relatively local, you should have a head start on many potential candidates.  Just be realistic as to what you can afford as it won't be an easy place to make income with so few people or markets locally for any supporting business..  that's what put me off along with the concept of putting my time and money into it for 20 years and being homeless and penniless at 66 :o
Title: Re: 38 acre holding for lease-Kerrera
Post by: josie101170 on March 09, 2011, 06:55:24 pm
We viewed this property today.  The estate agents photos are flattering!!!  The place has been left to almost ruin with pile and piles of rusted metal, fleece and just mess.  I now know why there were no interior pictures online, not good, mouldy and damp with a dilapidated kitchen which needs ripping out and replaced (the whole extension, not just the units!!!).......I have never smelt the smell of cat like that in my life!!!!!!!!!!!!!  It needs a lot of money, care and time!  :-\
Title: Re: 38 acre holding for lease-Kerrera
Post by: doganjo on March 09, 2011, 07:27:03 pm
So what are you going to do - walk or talk? ;D  we're all dying to know  ;D ;D
Title: Re: 38 acre holding for lease-Kerrera
Post by: josie101170 on March 09, 2011, 07:40:44 pm
We started talking!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!   :o  but so much depends on the answers we get back and then...if they accept our offer!!!!  It's nerve wracking but very exciting....I believe that whatever will be will be......but it's got to be worth a try, even if it'll take me a year to re-decorate!!!! x
Title: Re: 38 acre holding for lease-Kerrera
Post by: doganjo on March 09, 2011, 07:44:25 pm
If you DO take it on Josie, how about either a blow by blow account on here, a blog, or even a full blown website.  I set up a  website when I was building my house and when I moved here I took it down.  So many folk have asked about it since that I wish I hadn't now.
Title: Re: 38 acre holding for lease-Kerrera
Post by: josie101170 on March 09, 2011, 08:00:07 pm
What a great idea!  I have a website for my art http://barrett.moonfruit.com (http://barrett.moonfruit.com) so I could do the same for this venture...it'll be a 20 year blog!!!  Thank you for your support, I feel better getting my thoughts out! XxX
Title: Re: 38 acre holding for lease-Kerrera
Post by: bloomer on March 09, 2011, 08:03:59 pm
good luck to you

sounds like a project and a half

Title: Re: 38 acre holding for lease-Kerrera
Post by: doganjo on March 09, 2011, 08:05:37 pm
What a great idea!  I have a website for my art http://barrett.moonfruit.com (http://barrett.moonfruit.com) so I could do the same for this venture...it'll be a 20 year blog!!!  Thank you for your support, I feel better getting my thoughts out! XxX
I had my site on my son's server - with a  bit of luck he might still have the files and then all I need do is get the domain name back or similar.
Title: Re: 38 acre holding for lease-Kerrera
Post by: Hermit on March 09, 2011, 09:24:59 pm
The best luck in the world to you, I would love a project to restore a farm like that.The ideas going through my head just from the photos. An artists studio is a must for you I think. Artists holidays etc  When my OH stays on Fair Isle through work he bides in a B&b that does artists holidays. Does an agricultural tennancy allow you to do b&b or is it purely for agriculture as I believe they are for.
Title: Re: 38 acre holding for lease-Kerrera
Post by: doganjo on March 09, 2011, 09:31:42 pm
Who would know if we all had a wee holiday up there and just happened to do some work for out keep, wi a wee bitty extra thrown in? ::) ;D