The role of the commissioner
Updated 29 October 2025
Applies to England
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The Commissioner for the Tenant Farming Sector in England (CTFS) is appointed by the government to strengthen relationships and collaboration between tenant farmers, landlords and advisers.
This means:
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listening to tenant farmers, landlords, and advisors and working with Defra and the industry Farm Tenancy Forum to monitor industry trends and share insights that encourage collaboration, good conduct and fair practice across the sector
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promoting the standards of conduct set out in the Agricultural Landlord and Tenant Code of Practice which encourages fair and responsible behaviour across the sector
The code sets out simple, practical guidance on good conduct, such as for how rent reviews are delivered, how improvements are agreed, and how tenants and landlords should manage scheme participation. The code is not law, but it gives a clear standard for good practice, including clear and timely communication, a collaborative approach and transparent tenancy decisions.
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supporting constructive relationships between tenants, landlords, and advisers
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highlighting what’s working well, as well as where improvements might be needed.
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 behaviour or conduct in a tenancy relationship is unfair, unreasonable or not in line with the code.
Joint Defra and industry Farm Tenancy Forum
The commissioner works closely with the joint Defra and industry Farm Tenancy Forum, providing regular updates on what is working well including examples of good practice alongside updates (anonymised reports) on any issues of concern and cases where the code of practice is not being followed. In this way the commissioner will support the forum in understanding any trends and issues across the sector that may need addressing.
The forum works with the government to ensure a thriving and collaborative tenanted sector, exploring issues and providing ongoing engagement between Defra and the tenanted sector. The commissioner may also develop further guidance and codes of practice for the sector in collaboration with the forum as needed.