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Rural Property Solicitors

At Stephen Rimmer, our rural property solicitors provide practical and tailored legal support to landowners, farmers, and rural businesses across East Sussex.

Whether you are buying or selling farms, managing agricultural tenancies, considering diversification opportunities, or planning the succession of your estate, our expert team is here to guide you every step of the way.

We offer straightforward advice that helps you plan strategically, minimise risks, and ensure your rural property transactions run smoothly. Our rural property solicitors have experience across a broad range of agricultural and rural business matters, always working efficiently and cost-effectively to protect your interests.

Where issues arise, our team can help you confidently navigate the complexities of rural property law, offering expert representation and practical solutions.

At Stephen Rimmer, our rural lawyers can assist with:

  • Sale and purchase of farms, estates & land
  • Agricultural tenancies and land agreements
  • Development and diversification projects
  • Estate management and succession planning
James Regan
Rebecka Hagman
Zara Coton
Jessica Russell
Joshua Duckworth
Meet the team

Contact our rural property solicitors today

For clear, professional advice on any aspect of rural property, please contact a member of our team for a no-obligation discussion:

How we can help with rural property matters

Sale and purchase of farms, estates and land

When buying or selling rural property, it is essential to ensure the transaction is correctly structured and legally sound. Our rural property solicitors can support you through every stage, from initial negotiations and due diligence to completion.

We assist with title checks, boundary investigations, environmental considerations, and the drafting of contracts, including overage agreements and conditional sale terms. Our knowledge of agricultural law and rural property markets ensures efficient, commercially aware advice tailored to your needs.

To discuss your requirements today, please get in touch with our rural property solicitors in Eastbourne.

Agricultural tenancies and land agreements

Securing and managing agricultural tenancies and land agreements requires specialist legal expertise. Our agricultural solicitors can advise on Farm Business Tenancies (FBTs), Agricultural Holdings Act tenancies, grazing licences, and other land use arrangements.

We can draft and review tenancy agreements, ensuring clear terms around rent reviews, maintenance obligations, succession rights, and termination provisions. Our priority is to protect your interests and foster positive landlord-tenant relationships.

Development and diversification projects

Many landowners seek to diversify their income by developing rural property for new uses. Our rural business solicitors assist with planning applications, environmental compliance, funding agreements, and contract negotiations to develop your project.

We offer guidance on renewable energy projects, holiday accommodation developments, agricultural building conversions, and commercial diversification schemes. Our practical, commercially focused advice helps ensure successful project delivery.

From initial feasibility assessments and navigating local authority regulations to securing appropriate funding and managing risks, our team supports you at every stage. We will help you to maximise the value of your land assets confidently and sustainably.

To learn more, contact our expert commercial property solicitors in Hastings.

Estate planning and succession planning

Effective estate management and succession planning are essential for preserving the value of your rural property and ensuring your agricultural business thrives across generations.

Our solicitors offer comprehensive inheritance planning services, helping you clearly define your objectives, draft detailed Wills, and establish tailored trusts that safeguard your assets, protect your beneficiaries, and minimise potential disputes.

We also provide specialist tax advice, helping you take advantage of agricultural and business property relief, inheritance tax considerations, and other relevant exemptions to enhance tax efficiency without compromising your family or business goals.

Our commercial property solicitors can guide you through business continuity arrangements, ensuring smooth transitions and operational stability during succession.

To learn more about how we can support you with estate and succession planning, please get in touch with our experts at Stephen Rimmer.

Frequently asked questions about rural property

Rural property law encompasses the buying and selling of farms and estates, managing agricultural tenancies, land agreements, rural diversification projects, estate management, and succession planning. It combines aspects of conveyancing, agricultural law, environmental regulations, and commercial considerations.

Solicitors specialising in rural property law also advise on planning permissions, rights of way, environmental conservation issues, and legal compliance specific to agricultural and countryside property.

To discuss rural business law today, please get in touch.

Unlike standard conveyancing, rural property law often involves larger areas of land with complex issues such as agricultural tenancies, environmental regulations, land access rights, and rural planning permissions. It requires specialist knowledge to manage these additional considerations effectively.

Rural solicitors must also understand and address issues such as agricultural subsidies, public rights of way, restrictive covenants, and biodiversity obligations, which are unique to rural property transactions.

Rural land ownership can involve disputes around boundaries and rights of way, agricultural tenancy disagreements, environmental compliance requirements, and planning and diversification regulations.

Issues may also arise with inheritance, succession planning, and taxation concerns unique to agricultural holdings. Professional legal advice is essential to help you manage these issues effectively and remain compliant with evolving rural and agricultural regulations.

Buying and selling rural property often involves unique tax considerations, including Stamp Duty Land Tax (SDLT), Capital Gains Tax (CGT), inheritance tax (IHT), and agricultural reliefs. Understanding these taxes and any available exemptions, such as Agricultural Property Relief (APR), is essential.

A rural property solicitor can provide specialist advice to ensure you structure transactions tax-efficiently and comply with HMRC requirements.

Contact our rural property solicitors today

How can we help you?

Call us today on 01323 644222 to get the specialist help you need.