Tenant farming: raise an issue with the commissioner
Updated 29 October 2025
Applies to England
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If you are a tenant farmer, landlord, or a professional adviser acting for one of the parties, you can raise an issue with the commissioner when you feel that behaviour or conduct in a tenancy relationship is unfair, unreasonable or not in line with the Agricultural Landlord and Tenant Code of Practice for England.
A professional adviser is someone who gives specialist support or acts for a landlord or tenant as part of an agricultural tenancy. For example:
- a solicitor
- a land agent or chartered surveyor
- a tenancy adviser from the Tenant Farmers Association (TFA) or the National Farmers’ Union (NFU)
- a farming or rural business consultant who gives advice or support
What can the commissioner help with
The commissioner can help with concerns about poor or unfair conduct and practice in the tenant farming sector and where you believe the code of practice has not been followed.
Examples include:
- the landlord or adviser has threatened not to renew the tenancy unless the tenant agrees to a large and unreasonable rent increase
- the landlord or adviser has said they will end the tenancy or make life difficult for the tenant unless they agree to change the tenancy agreement, such as giving up use of the farmhouse or farm cottage
- the tenant is not maintaining or managing the holding to the expected standard
What can the commissioner not help with
The commissioner is unable to help with:
- complaints that are already undergoing a formal dispute resolution, legal or professional body complaints process
- complaints that have already been through a formal dispute resolution or professional body complaints process, unless there is new evidence available within the commissioner’s remit to investigate
- normal negotiations over commercial issues, such as rent reviews or intervene in negotiations where parties cannot agree on contractual matters
The commissioner does not have the legal authority to compel cooperation from either party or to impose penalties. Reports on specific investigations will not be shared or commented on publicly.
Raise an issue
Complete our online form to tell the commissioner about your issue. You will need to provide:
- your name and contact details
- your role (tenant, landlord or professional adviser)
- details of the tenancy agreement
- details of the farm holding
- a short description of what happened and why you believe it does not follow the code of practice
What happens next
Once you submit your form, the commissioner’s office will review the information you have provided. We will then contact you to discuss your issue and how we may be able to provide advice and support.
During this discussion, we will ask for more details about your issue. This helps us understand whether there are sufficient grounds for the commissioner to carry out a formal review. We will also consider whether the issue falls within the commissioner’s remit.
If the issue does not fall within the commissioner’s remit, or there are not sufficient grounds for a formal review, we will explain why. We will also signpost you to advice and support that may help you resolve the issue.
If there are sufficient grounds for the commissioner to carry out a formal review, and the issue is within their remit, we will ask for your consent before contacting anyone involved. Once you have given consent, the commissioner will contact the person or organisation the issue is about to inform them and ask for their response.
The commissioner cannot compel either party to cooperate, but non-cooperation may be recorded in the final report.
If the commissioner finds evidence of poor practice or non-compliance with the Agricultural Landlord and Tenant Code of Practice for England, this will be discussed with both parties. The commissioner will also suggest possible solutions to help rebuild a collaborative relationship.
Where a solution cannot be found, the commissioner may signpost you to professional advice or other dispute resolution options. This may help if either party wishes to take the matter further.
The commissioner’s final report does not create any legal or mandatory requirements. However, it may be used as evidence in any future dispute resolution or professional misconduct proceedings.
The final report will only be shared with the named parties involved in the formal review and will not be shared with anyone else.
Make an enquiry
If you have a question about a farm tenancy agreement or want to share your experience with the commissioner, you can email the commissioner’s office at CTFS@defra.gov.uk.
Complaints about the commissioner’s service
The commissioner’s office is committed to dealing with your complaint fairly, consistently and promptly. If you have a complaint about how the commissioner’s office has handled your enquiry or complaint, or the standard of service you received, you can contact the Defra Service Standards Adjudicator at service-standards.adjudicator@defra.gov.uk.
Read more about Defra’s service standards.
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