Average rents 30% up

27 June 1997

Average rents 30% up

RENTS under the Agricultural Holdings Act 1986 have risen by 30% in the year to Mar 25, according to research by chartered surveyors Carter Jonas.

On intensive arable, specialist dairy and mainly cereal farms, levels rose to £195/ha (£79/acre), £178/ha (£72/acre) and £158/ha (£64/acre) respectively. And on lowland and upland livestock units, they rose to £138/ha (£56/acre) and £119/ha (£48/acre) respectively.

The increase follows one of 31.25% in the previous year, reflecting how rents are still "catching up" with agricultural profitability, says Simon Bonham of Carter Jonas.n