Professional Services – Essex, Suffolk & Cambridgeshire

Farmers and landowners face many property based issues on a day to day basis. A clear understanding of the issues and options available will help in concluding matters quickly and minimising any distraction from the core business.

Land Partners are well placed to provide sound, practical advice on a wide range of issues including:

Property Valuation

Simon and Belinda are RICS Registered Valuers and can provide formal or informal valuation advice on rural property. In many cases a formal valuation (known as a ‘Red Book’ valuation) may not be required and we can discuss your particular circumstances with you. As members of the Valuer Registration Scheme our valuations are regulated and audited by the RICS (Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors).

Valuations may be required for:

  • Accounts purposes
  • Tax returns
  • Negotiations between parties
  • Litigation and dispute resolution
  • Business re-structuring
  • Pre-nuptial agreements
  • Expert Witness reports for court proceedings (including matrimonial)
  • Pension fund regulation
  • Section 31 reports for land transactions by charities

Tax Advice

Simon and Belinda have a particular specialisation in advice and valuation relating to capital taxes and can work with your accountant and solicitor to develop strategies to mitigate tax.

Our valuation reports will include a detailed analysis of the particular issues, reliefs and relevant legislation. We can then negotiate with HM Revenue and Customs or the District Valuer to achieve an optimal settlement. Taxes that particularly affect property include:

  • Capital Gains Tax (CGT) including Principal Private Residence relief
  • Inheritance Tax (IHT) including Agricultural Property Relief and Business Property Relief
  • Valuation of trust assets under the 10 yearly IHT charge or on transfer of trust property
  • Pre-owned Assets Tax (POAT)
  • Annual Tax on Enveloped Dwellings (ATED)

Other Consultancy Services

Land Partners can assist on all other matters likely to affect a rural business. Our experience is wide ranging and includes matters such as:

  • Compulsory purchase and compensation issues arising from roads and utilities
  • Telecoms leases
  • Renewable energy
  • Planning
  • Rights of way

Other complementary skills are listed under Property Management

Case Study – Solar energy

The construction of a new grain store in 2012 provided the opportunity to consider the addition of solar panels. Strengthened purlins were added to the specification at minimal additional cost.

A site survey established that there was space to install a scheme of just over 31kW peak. Installation was carried out by a specialist company and the work was completed and registered for Feed-in-Tariffs before the tariff rates were reduced in December 2011.

Whilst Feed-in-Tariffs have been reduced the cost of panels is also falling. New installations can still be economic particularly where the power generated is to be used on site.

Case Study – Telecoms Mast

Consolidation has been the watchword of most things telecoms over the past few years and this looks set to continue with considerable pressure on the operators to cut their costs by sharing equipment and rights with other telecoms companies.

This means considerable pressure being put onto the rents and terms offered to Landlords on renewal of an existing lease or rent review.

Knowing the market as we do, opening offers are usually very far from the terms agreed and bear out the advantage of using an agent to negotiate with the operators who are becoming increasingly tough on terms.

To discuss your particular needs please contact Belinda Young MRICS FAAV or Simon Dixon Smith MRICS FAAV

Belinda Littler – Tel: 01376 328297, Mobile: 07825 647403, Email: belinda@landpartners.co.uk
Simon Dixon Smith – Tel: 01376 328297, Mobile: 07825 647652, Email: simon@landpartners.co.uk
Please see Belinda Littler Profile & Simon Dixon Smith Profile

Caroline Chater – Tel: 01376 328297, Email caroline@landpartners.co.uk
Please see personal profile for Caroline Chater Profile

Expert Witness Reports, RICS Rural Farm Property Valuations. Negotiation, Litigation & Dispute Resolution, Section 31 Reports for Charities. Tax Advice, Compulsory Purchase Compensation, Planning, Rights of Way Negotiations. Capital Gains Tax, Inheritance Tax, Agricultural & Business Property Relief, 10 Yearly IHT Charge on Transfer of Trust Property, Pre-Owned Assets Tax Advice & Specialist Assistance.