Grazing Licences
Grazing licences are legal agreements that protect both landowners and graziers. If you are considering exchanging land use for money or services, we can advise on tailoring terms to suit your needs.
What Is a Grazing Licence?
In the UK, a grazing licence (also known as a grass keep licence) is a legal agreement between a rural landowner and a grazier. Common arrangements involve a grazier feeding their livestock on a small piece of land in return for a nominal rent or services in lieu. While formal grazing licences ensure landowners maintain control of their farmland, many landowners give verbal permission or agree with a handshake, which risks graziers gaining rights over the land.
Who Needs a Grazing Licence?
Both landowners and graziers benefit from a grazing licence, which dictates the terms of the land use and holds both parties to account.
- Landowners
For landowners who want to earn from unused pasture without letting to a long-term tenant, a grazing licence ensures they retain full control over their land. This includes entering the property to perform maintenance and graze their own livestock, growing the crop and continuing to claim relevant agricultural subsidies.
- Graziers
Grass keep licences protect graziers as well as landowners, ensuring that they have security of tenure for the duration of the agreement. A licence also defines the responsibilities of all parties and covers your liability with insurance companies, so that you are never unfairly out of pocket.
Why Do You Need a Solicitor When Arranging a Grazing Licence?
Whether you are letting your land or securing a place to graze your livestock, it’s essential to draft a formal contract with a solicitor. Enlisting professional legal services ensures the agreement includes everything you need and protects against future confusion should land disputes arise. By partnering with a solicitor, you can cover key considerations, such as:
- Purpose
A formal agricultural grazing licence permits certain activities, such as grazing, but does not confer broader rights over the land.
- Length
While grazing licences are often seasonal, they can last up to 364 days. Graziers must vacate the land in good time within the agreed window.
- Rights
A carefully worded grazing licence prevents a grazier from acquiring any further rights or claiming a farm business tenancy (FBT).
What to Expect from Newtons
When you partner with Newtons Solicitors, you can expect the best farming law services in the North of England. Our agricultural grazing licence experts follow an effective process to understand your needs and draft a watertight agreement.
- Initial consultation
We sit down with you to discuss your needs and ambitions regarding a grazing licence, guiding you through our process so you know what to expect at every stage. - Due diligence
To establish the full facts of the situation and later draft a comprehensive grazing licence, we identify all parties, verify land ownership and research the needs of the proposed livestock. - Tailoring terms
When drafting the contract, we add specific clauses tailored to your needs. These could relate to livestock density, communication around disease, and insurance and indemnity. - Protecting tax and subsidy status
When relevant, we coordinate with your accountant to ensure that the terms of the agreement allow agricultural property relief and continued entitlement to farming subsidies. - Execution
We supervise the signing of the contract by all parties, whereupon the grazing licence becomes legally binding.
Arrange a Grazing Licence with Newtons
Whether you are a landowner or a grazier, our farming law experts are here to help. Please contact us today to arrange an initial consultation regarding your grazing licence, or visit our nearest office to speak to our team in person.