Tenant Farmers Association
The Tenant Farmers Association was formed in 1981 by a group of tenant farmers who felt that their interests were not being forcefully represented by existing bodies. Today, the TFA is the only organisation dedicated to supporting all farmers who do not own the land that they operate. This includes those involved in share farming agreements, grazing licences, contract farming arrangements as well as traditional tenant farmers. The TFA lobbies at all levels of Government for policies and legislation which assist those who do not own the land they farm and gives expert advice to its members. The TFA also seeks to support and enhance the landlord-tenant system in agriculture. The TFA represents and advises members on all aspects of agricultural tenancy, land occupation and ancillary matters. This nationwide involvement with selected land agents, briefed on latest rent trends from the TFA database, is unique to the TFA.
Company details
Find locations served, office locations
- Business Type:
- Professional association
- Industry Type:
- Agriculture
- Market Focus:
- Globally (various continents)
About Us
It also aims to improve the professional and technical knowledge of its members, to increase the flow of new tenancies and other valid farming opportunities onto the market and to help the farming industry best apply existing legislation occupation of non-owned farm land.
TFA members have free of charge access to essential advice from dedicated and experienced advisers who will understand and listen to your concerns and help with your individual needs.
TFA members have free of charge access to a library of information relevant to and written from the perspective of the tenanted sector in agriculture.
Supporting you all the time
When you don’t need advice or information the TFA will be working tirelessly behind the scenes for the benefit of its members.
Are you a Welsh tenant farmer?
If you are a tenant farmer in Wales click here for the TFA Cymru website.
The Scottish Tenant Farmers Association has its own website so please click here to be directed straight to it.
Are you looking for a professional Chartered Surveyor, solicitor or accountant? Please click here for a TFA Recommended Professional.
How the TFA Works
Members of the TFA are drawn from right across the spectrum of the farming industry. Their farms range from the smallest County Council holdings to units of several thousand acres. The needs of this wide range of members is met by its regional structure of nine regions across England and Wales, each with its own regional chairman. This, together with a readily accessible Head Office team, ensures a rapid and effective interchange of ideas and activity.
The TFA currently works with 55 Chartered Surveyors, accountants and solicitors each hand picked by the regional committees according to their expertise in tenanted matters. They help in solving members’ problems and contribute to national strategy. This nationwide involvement with selected land agents, briefed on latest rent trends from the TFA database, is unique to the TFA.
Benefits to TFA members
Members have access to a broad package of benefits including:
Advice When You Need It
- Advice on all agricultural tenancy and farming related issues from Head Office
- Legal Helpline on all non-farming legal issues
- List of 55 Recommended Professionals
Information When You Want It
- Business Opportunities (including new tenancies)
- Website access
- Email Alerts
- Membership pack sent to all new members
- Six issues of the TFA newsletter sent every year
- Weekly e-Bulletins (e-Bites)
- Follow us on Social Media
- Guidance Notes
- Briefing Notes
- Rent Databank, a unique fully searchable facility for finding comparable rents
- Member Meetings, Shows and Events
Supporting You All the Time
- Lobbying Government
- Contact with Landlords
- Contact with Professional Bodies
- Contact with Media
- Membership of the Tenancy Reform Industry Group (TRIG)
- Affiliations to Insurance and Other Services
TFA Local Leads
The TFA has a network of members who have volunteered to act as Local Leads for the Association on a county-by-county basis across England and Wales. They act as the eyes and ears of the TFA at a local level. Appointed by the TFA’s Appointments and Governance Board, following recommendations from within the Association, Local Leads also serve on rotation on the TFA’s Executive Committee which provides the governance of the Association.
TFA Local leads ensure that the TFA is made aware of significant issues emerging in their county. They can be approached for situations such as:
- Giving feedback on TFA service received
- To recommend an industry professional who you believe should be considered to be part of our panel of Recommended Professionals
- Suggesting a meeting topic or for the TFA to attend an event being held locally
Local Leads ensure that the TFA is made aware of significant issues emerging in their county. In addition, whilst all members are encouraged to contact TFA head office in the first instance, Local Leads provide a local contact for members when required on specific issues. Lastly, Local Leads will look to advise if, when and where local meetings of members would be appropriate in consultation with head office.
To get in touch with your TFA Local Lead, TFA members should call our head office on 0118 930 6130
TFA Responsible Landlord Scheme
The TFA has, over the years, received numerous requests from landlords for help with setting up a tenancy which is fair both to them and their new farm tenants. Having considered these requests the TFA has decided to launch the TFA Responsible Landlord Scheme.
Whilst the TFA does not seek to advise landlords, it does seek to promote responsible landlord behaviour and to this end the TFA will be offering to provide landlords, on request, a package costing £249 that comprises a template of a draft Farm Business Tenancy (FBT) agreement, a Guidance Note looking at considerations for drawing up a tenancy agreement and a special voucher for them to pass to their new tenant who can redeem it for a single year’s full membership of the Association.
No additional advice will be provided to the landlord. We believe that this service will help to cement a good landlord and tenant relationship from the beginning and that it will create the right platform for a sustainable future.
The FBT template is not designed to replace professional advice, but to provide a starting point for landlords and tenants to agree terms for a new letting before instructing professionals. For further information please contact the TFA membership coordinator.
The package provided by the Responsible Landlord Scheme includes :-
TFA Sample Farm Business Tenancy (FBT) agreement*
TFA Guidance Note – Checklist for a New Farm Business Tenancy (FBT)
A voucher for the tenant to redeem for one year of full membership of the TFA ** ***
* Hard copy via post and soft copy via email
** Time limited counting down from date which landlord purchases the package
*** Subject to the landlord presenting the voucher to the tenant for use
Full Membership of the TFA will entitle the tenant farmer to ready access to advice from TFA Advisers, full access to the TFA website and all TFA publications.