At Rettie, the work in our Rural Department is not just business to us. It’s our way of life. Our Directors have personal farming interests so the wellbeing of rural Scotland and ongoing farming concerns are very important to us. Likewise, as we are stakeholders in Rettie, our success stems from our clients’ success.
Although the market is constantly changing, we are consistently investing in innovation to remain one step ahead and what never alters, is our commitment to exceptional customer service and our promise to deliver the best possible results for our clients.
I hope that you will find this introduction to our farm and estate management services illuminating and that you will give myself and my team the opportunity to assist you in the next step of your rural business journey.
Leading the field.
A proven approach.
We have worked hard to secure a reputation for success, innovation and creating and sustaining client relationships that endure. Four of our Directors are involved in their own family farming businesses and five are Rural Practice Qualified Chartered Surveyors. Naturally, we are regulated by the Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors. Together, our team has over 100 years of cumulative experience in dealing with rural property matters.
This includes many of Scotland’s most significant rural estate, farm and portfolio transactions. We are respected for our innovative, professional and commercial approach to business. As a result, we are well placed to help advise and assist on the wide range of complex rural matters and issues affecting farmers and landowners today.
Farm & Estate Management.
We recognise that every single rural property, farm and estate is unique. We are well versed in the opportunities available, and the potential pitfalls that can affect your business day-to-day and longer term, from land and buildings, to utilities, subsidies and development opportunities. We take time to listen to your business aims and aspirations, and take account of property assets and resources, to provide a personalised service that will achieve the very best result for you.
Unrivalled Experience
Our specialist Farm & Estate Management team have unrivalled experience and can provide accurate and confidential advice for all types of farms, estates and rural properties. We work closely with our clients to identify priorities and deliver solutions that make practical business sense.
Lasting Relationships
Our services can of course be used for one-off tactical advice, but we are in the business of building relationships that last. At Rettie we have the expertise to add and create value for our clients. We strive to use our knowledge, experience and intelligence to benefit our current and future clients, building relationships that prosper and endure.
Our Services
Farm & Estate Management
We are committed to ensuring that leased land and let property is managed efficiently and on time. As industry leaders with unique market knowledge, we support with a range of rural businesses from traditional estates to diverse portfolios with mixed uses, including commercial leases. We can manage residential property, commercial property, agricultural tenancies, seasonal agreements and contract farming agreements. Additionally, services can be extended to include, for example, organising and overseeing trades people, arranging insurance cover and dealing with insurance claims. We also provide advice on grants and subsidy applications, and diversification opportunities.
Energy/Renewables
Given the drive to implement greener energy sources, at Rettie we can tender sites for potential onshore wind farms, solar farms, battery storage and negotiating heads of terms for leases/options. Additionally, we can negotiate third party access/export cables agreements for landowners. Rettie are currently involved in a number of Onshore, Offshore Wind Projects as well as Solar and Battery Storage Schemes acting on behalf of landowners which totals in excess of 4GW installed capacity.
Utilities
At Rettie we can provide advice on wayleaves, negotiating access and compensation claims on behalf of landowners and occupiers for existing and new utility infrastructure projects against companies such as Scottish Water, Scottish Power Energy Networks, SSE, Scottish Gas Networks, National Grid.
Valuation
As Chartered Surveyors we undertake formal valuations for a variety of purposes including secured lending, tax purposes, probate, internal business restructuring, tenancy assignation, sales and purchases, over a wide range of rural properties.
Sales
We offer an objective and commercial assessment of a property and its market value and potential, knowing that, as with all asset classes, values can both rise and fall.
Agricultural Landlords & Tenants
We advise and support with the sale and purchase of landlords’ heritable interest; rent review negotiations, dilapidations claims, waygo valuations & ongoing tenancy matters.
Agricultural Consultancy
We set up and manage contract farming arrangements, providing strategic advice and guidance on agricultural and other rural financial support schemes, and where required the completion and submission of applications for schemes such as Basic Payment Scheme, Greening, Entitlement transfers, Less Favoured Area Support Scheme (LFASS) and Scottish Suckler Beef Support Scheme (SSBSS).
Lettings
We advise on the letting and leasing of farmland and rural property under a variety of vessels dependent on the client’s objectives:
Grazing licenses
Short Limited Duration Tenancies
Modern Limited Duration Tenancies
Secure Agricultural Tenancies
Contract and share farming agreements
Commercial lettings
Rettie can also provide a full management service for residential properties and are approved on the Scottish Government Letting Agent Register and are a member of ARLA (Association of Residential Letting Agents).
Planning & Development Opportunities
With extensive experience of selling residential development sites, we can provide excellent advice about how to promote land for development. Our research team is often retained by landowners, farmers, public companies, councils and government bodies to provide high-level strategic advice on development opportunities.
Our Development Services Include:
• Advice on Option and Promotion Agreements
• Identifying and creating latent and unexploited value
• Advice on housing size, density, product mix and sales rates that ensure the success of a residential development
Compulsory Purchase (CPO)
We can negotiate a fair compensation settlement package for businesses affected by the use of Compulsory Powers by councils, road, rail and utility providers. Providing advice on schemes, which can include potential objections to agreeing access for relevant site investigation works, negotiating accommodation works and compensation claims.
Telecom Masts
We can negotiate heads of terms for new leases and rent reviews, including access/ export cable agreements. Ongoing management includes guidance for renewals of leases and rent reviews.
As the current rural landscape is changing it is vitally important to continually assess your assets in order to maximise their potential in the short and long term. A Rettie have an experienced team, and access to the latest research trends and analysis, to really make a difference for your business.
Your Rettie Farm & Estate Management Team
Our team of professional surveyors have been trusted with rural property management and professional services for some of the country’s best-known estates. We tailor our services to meet our clients strategic and practical needs as we support with day-to-day challenges as well as looking for new opportunities for our clients' farms, land or estates. Whether we’re dealing with five acres or fifteen thousand acres, clients' can always count on receiving the same high quality attention to detail and impartial advice.
Whatever your plans and ambitions for your farm or estate, we can give you the advice you need. Call our Rural Asset Management team and we’ll put you in touch with the person best suited to help.