Guidance

How to complete your Land Transfer and Amendment form (LTA1)

Published 11 October 2023

Applies to England

Check your form

Read through the form before you start to complete it. Check that the following pre-populated details match the details in your current agreement:

• the agreement holder name on page 2
• the land and option details in the option tables - points and payment totals are not pre-populated

You should also have received appropriate maps for your agreement’s scheme. For Entry Level Stewardship (ELS)/Organic Entry Level Stewardship (OELS) agreements, these will be copies of the maps used when the scheme was applied for. For HLS, ELS/HLS or OELS/HLS agreements, these will be the maps sent with your agreement document.

If these details are incorrect, or you have not received the correct maps, please contact RPA.

What to do before you complete your form

Check if there’s anything you need to do before you complete your form.

Register for the Rural Payments service

All ES customers need to have a vendor number and be registered on the Rural Payments service to receive payment. If you are a new customer, follow the Rural Payments service: registering and updating your details guidance. Contact RPA if you need more help to register.

Register new land and land changes on the Rural Land Register

Land that is not registered on the Rural Land Register, or part fields, cannot be entered into ES agreements. If you want to add new land, or add or remove part of a field, you need to register the new land or change the existing land’s registration details. You need to do this before you complete the LTA1 form.

Read the Register land with the Rural Land Register guidance to find out how to do this. If you need more help, contact RPA.

Check you have received death certificate and Grant of Probate documents

If an agreement is being taken over following the death of the original agreement holder, such as by the beneficiaries or executors of the estate, you must follow the guidance for when a registered customer dies.

Please send us the requested documents as soon as you receive them, as we cannot complete the agreement transfer without them.

Send copies of organic certificates and schedules for phased organic conversion (for organic agreements only)

If you are putting land into phased organic conversion, you will need to send in a copy of your current valid certificates of registration and accompanying schedules, including details of the additional new parcels of land to be converted.

Step 1: Details of Agreement holder (page 1)

If you want to use a new main contact, enter their name and address in the blank lines below the agreement holder name. If you are changing your agent, or changing the main contact to an agent, you will also need to complete and return an Agent authorisation form.

The agreement reference will be pre-populated on the form. If you are continuing an existing agreement, this will be a new agreement reference.

Step 2: Amendment reason or Reason for land transfer (page 2)

Tick the appropriate ‘Amendment reason’ or ‘Reason for land transfer’ box. You can tick more than one box if you are making several changes.

If you tick the ‘Other – please give details below’ box, include details of the changes, including the documents you are sending with your form, in the ‘if Other…’ box.

If you want to make changes to your agreement, use the box below the ‘Where you have proposed an amendment…’ text to explain:

• the changes you want to make
• the benefits they’ll have
• how they’ll contribute to your agreement objectives

We’ll use these to decide whether to approve your request.

When you have completed this step, go to step 3.

Step 3: Details of land transfer (page 3)

If you are not transferring an agreement, you do not need to fill in this section.

Land transfers can take place at any time, but the continuing agreement can only start on the next available start date after we’ve approved the transfer. This is usually the start of the next calendar year.

You can complete the form in advance if you know the date the sale will complete.

If you are taking over land from someone else, follow the instructions below.

1. Add the date you’re taking over ownership of the land in the ‘Date of land transfer to new owner/occupier’ box
2. Next to the title ‘Reference A’, write ‘Previous Agreement Holder’
3. Enter the previous agreement holder’s details in the boxes provided at ‘Reference A’
4. Draw a line through the question ‘Does this individual…’ as this does not apply

If you are selling land to someone else, follow the instructions below.

1. Add the date you’re selling the land in the ‘Date of land transfer to new owner/occupier’ box
2. Enter the details of each new owner or occupier at References A, B, C and D, and tick the boxes at ‘Does this individual…’ to confirm if they wish to continue with the agreement
3. If you need to add more purchasers, use supplementary sheets. Tick the box at the bottom of the page to indicate this and enter the number used next to the tick box

If there is more than one transfer date, you will need to complete a separate LTA1 form for each transfer. Contact RPA to ask for additional forms.

When you have completed this step, if you have a HLS agreement, continue to step 4. If you do not, go to step 5.

Step 4: HLS Capital works (page 5)

You only need to complete this section if you have a HLS agreement, including ELS/HLS or OELS/HLS.

Put a line through ‘Yes’ or ‘No’ as applicable.

If you are taking over the whole agreement without making any changes to the land and options, go to Step 9. If you are only taking on part of the original agreement, or making changes, continue to Step 5.

Step 5: Completing your option tables (page 7 onwards)

To complete your option tables, follow the headings below which apply to the changes you want to make. For details of the options and points available and guidance on selecting options, read the handbook applicable to your agreement.

Remember to adjust or add any compulsory options, requirements and whole farm option areas. You still need to meet your ELS/OELS points targets after you have made your changes.

You do not need to complete the greening double funding sections of the table, as this is no longer used in ES agreements.

ELS options tables

Follow the guidance in this section to make changes to the options in the ELS boundary, rotational and traditional farm buildings options and ELS parcel based options tables.

If you need to use continuation sheets, write the number you have used in the box above the table. You can download continuation sheets from the LTA1 guidance page.

Keep an option with no changes

Calculate the option’s points by multiplying the pre-populated ‘Option amount’ by the ‘Points per unit’ and enter this figure in the ‘Your option points’ column.

Remove an option

In the boundary, rotational and traditional farm buildings options table, rule a line through the whole of the option’s row.

In the parcel based options table, rule a line through the option’s row ‘Options’ columns.

Remove a parcel and its options (Parcel based options only)

Rule a line through all of the pre-populated details shown for the RLR field and any corresponding options.

Amend options

Rule a line through the pre-populated items you want to change and enter the new details in the adjacent boxes. If you are not changing the option amount, enter the existing pre-populated figure.

Calculate the option points by multiplying the new ‘Option amount’ by the ‘Points per unit’ and enter the figure in the ‘Your option points’ column.

Add options

In the next blank row of the table, complete all columns from ‘RLR field number’ up to (and including) ‘Option amount’.

Calculate the option’s points by:

• entering the option’s points per unit in the ‘Points per unit’ column
• multiplying the ‘Option amount’ by the ‘Points per unit’
• entering the figure in the ‘Your option points’ column

You can find the option’s points per unit in the relevant ELS handbook for your agreement.

If you are adding options UX1, ILC and TFC, enter ‘N/A’ in the ‘Points per unit’ and ‘Your option points’ columns. You do not need to do the above calculations.

Amend HLS options tables

Follow this section to make changes to the options in the HLS whole farm, rotational, traditional farm buildings and access base payment options and parcel based options tables.

If you need to use continuation sheets, write the number you have used in the box above the table. You can download continuation sheets from the LTA1 guidance page.

Keep an option with no changes

Calculate the annual payment by multiplying the option’s ‘Amount’ or ‘Measurement’ by its ‘Payment rate’ and enter this figure in the ‘Annual payment (£)’ column.

Remove an option

Rule a line through the row containing the option you want to remove.

Remove a parcel and its options (Parcel based options only)

Rule a line through all of the pre-populated details shown for the RLR field and any corresponding options.

Amend options

Rule a line through the pre-populated details you want to change and enter the new details in the adjacent boxes.

Calculate the option’s annual payment by multiplying its new ‘Amount’ or ‘Measurement’ by its ‘Payment rate’ and enter the figure in the ‘Annual payment (£)’ column.

Add options

Complete every column in the next blank row of the table with the new option details.

Calculate the option’s annual payment by multiplying its ‘Amount’ or ‘Measurement’ by its ‘Payment rate’ and enter the figure in the ‘Annual payment (£)’ column.

Annual payment (£) total

When you have completed the tables with all the changes you wish to make, add up the total of the ‘Annual payment (£)’ column and enter this value in the marked box above the table.

Step 6: Calculate your ELS/OELS land and option totals (page 4)

To calculate your new land and options totals, follow the headings below for the totals which are relevant to your agreement.

If you have Severely Disadvantaged Area (SDA) land, you will also need to follow the additional steps in the ‘Uplands ELS points’ or ‘Uplands OELS points’ sections.

Your ELS land and points target totals

The table will be populated with the existing area, points target and points target totals for the ELS land in the agreement.

If you are not making any changes to this land, copy the ‘Existing totals Points Target’ figure into the ‘New totals Points Target’ box.

If you are making changes to the land, follow the below steps to calculate your new totals.

1. Add up the total land area of all the ELS eligible land listed on your option sheet, excluding parcels of 15ha or more above the moorland line. Make sure you do not include the same land parcel twice, even if it is listed more than once on the option sheet. Enter this total in the ‘New totals, Land area (ha), Sheet 1’ box in row 1
2. If you have included any additional land not already counted on your continuation sheets, add up this land separately and enter the total in the ‘New totals, Land area (ha), Extra sheet(s)’ box
3. Add up the totals of the ‘Sheet 1’ and ‘Extra sheet(s)’ boxes (if applicable) and enter this total in the ‘New totals, Land area (ha), Total’ box
4. Multiply the ‘New totals, Land area (ha), Total’ figure by the ‘Points per hectare’ figure and enter this value in the ‘New totals, Points target’ box
5. If you have any parcels of 15ha or more above the moorland line, follow the above steps for these parcels only and complete the relevant boxes in row 2
6. Add up the ‘New totals, Points target’ values from rows 1 and 2 (if applicable) and enter this total in the ‘New totals, Points target’ box in row 3. This is your new ELS points target

Uplands ELS points

If you have SDA land, rows 4 to 8 in your table will be populated with the totals for Uplands ELS.

If you do not have an Uplands agreement, complete the steps above to calculate your ELS points totals. If you do, follow the below steps to calculate your Uplands ELS points totals.

1. Start by completing Row 4. Add up all of the ELS eligible ‘N’ parcels, all of the ELS eligible ‘D’ parcels, and the ELS eligible ‘MD’ parcels under 15ha. Make sure you do not include the same land parcel twice, even if it is listed more than once on the option sheet. Enter this total in the ‘New totals, Land area (ha), Sheet 1’ box
2. If you have included any additional land not already counted on your continuation sheets, add up this land separately and enter the total in the ‘New totals, Land area (ha), Extra sheet(s)’ box
3. Add up the totals of the ‘Sheet 1’ and ‘Extra sheet(s)’ boxes (if applicable) and enter this total in the ‘New totals, Land area (ha), Total’ box
4. Multiply the ‘New totals, Land area (ha), Total’ figure by the ‘Points per hectare’ figure and enter this value in the ‘New totals, Points target’ box
5. To complete Row 5, follow steps 1 to 4 above for all of the ELS eligible ‘S’ parcels and the ELS eligible ‘MS’ parcels under 15ha and complete the boxes in this row
6. To complete Row 6, follow steps 1 to 4 above for all of the ‘MD’ parcels of 15ha or more and complete the boxes in this row
7. To complete Row 7, follow steps 1 to 4 above for all of the ‘MS’ parcels of 15ha or more and complete the boxes in this row
8. Add up the ‘New totals, Points target’ values from rows 4 to 7 and enter this total in the ‘New totals, Points target’ box in row 8. This is your new Uplands ELS points target

ELS option points and £s totals

To calculate Row A, use your ELS boundary, rotational and traditional farm options sheet. To calculate Row B, use your ELS parcel based options sheet.

1. Add up the ‘Your options points’ column figures on your options sheet and enter your total in the ‘Sheet 1’ box
2. If you have used any continuation sheets, add up the same column on these and enter the total in the ‘Extra sheet(s) box
3. Add the ‘Sheet 1’ box total and the ‘Extra sheet(s)’ box total (if applicable) and enter your total in the ‘Total’ box

When you have completed the above, calculate your Option Points total.

1. In the ‘Option Points’ section of the table, add together the totals for rows A and B and enter this figure into the ‘Total Option Points’ box. This is the new ELS points total for your agreement
2. If you’ve completed the ‘Options £s totals’ columns, add together these totals for rows A and B and enter this figure into the ‘Total Option £s’ box. This is the new ELS Options £s total for your agreement. Your ELS points options payment will be whichever is lower of the New Total Points Target in £s and the Total Option £s

Your OELS land and points target totals

If you have organic land in your agreement, the table will be populated with the existing area, points target and points target totals for the OELS land in the agreement.

If you are not making any changes to the organic land, copy the ‘Existing totals Points Target’ figure into the ‘New totals Points Target’ box.

If you are making changes to the organic land, follow steps 1 to 4 in the ‘Your ELS land and points target totals’ section for the organic land in your agreement only.

When you have completed these steps, copy the figure from the ‘New totals, Points target’ box in row 1 into the box in row 2. This is your new OELS points target.

Uplands OELS points

If you have SDA land, rows 3 to 5 in your table will be populated with the totals for Uplands OELS.

If you do not have an Uplands agreement, complete the steps above to calculate your OELS points totals. If you do, follow the below steps to calculate your Uplands OELS points totals.

1. Start by completing Row 3. Add up all of the organic ‘N’ parcels, all of the organic ‘D’ parcels, and the organic ‘MD’ parcels under 15ha. Make sure you do not include the same land parcel twice, even if it’s listed more than once on the option sheet. Enter this total in the ‘New totals, Land area (ha), Sheet 1’ box
2. If you have included any additional land not already counted on your continuation sheets, add up this land separately and enter the total in the ‘New totals, Land area (ha), Extra sheet(s)’ box
3. Add up the totals of the ‘Sheet 1’ and ‘Extra sheet(s)’ boxes (if applicable) and enter this total in the ‘New totals, Land area (ha), Total’ box
4. Multiply the ‘New totals, Land area (ha), Total’ figure by the ‘Points per hectare’ figure and enter this value in the ‘New totals, Points target’ box
5. To complete Row 4, follow steps 1 to 4 above for all of the organic ‘S’ parcels and the organic ‘MD’ parcels above 15ha and complete the boxes in this row
6. Add up the ‘New totals, Points target’ values from rows 3 and 4 and enter this total in the ‘New totals, Points target’ box in row 5. This is your new Uplands OELS points target

OELS options points and £s totals

To calculate Row A, use your OELS boundary, rotational and traditional farm options sheet. To calculate Row B, use your OELS parcel based options sheet.

1. Add up the ‘Your options points’ column figures on your options sheet and enter your total in the ‘Sheet 1’ box
2. If you have used any continuation sheets, add up the same column on these and enter the total in the ‘Extra sheet(s) box
3. Add the ‘Sheet 1’ box total and the ‘Extra sheet(s)’ box total (if applicable) and enter your total in the ‘Total’ box

When you have completed the above, calculate your Option Points total.

1. In the ‘Option Points’ section of the table, add together the totals for rows A and B and enter this figure into the ‘Total Option Points’ box. This is the new OELS points total for your agreement
2. If you’ve completed the ‘Options £s totals’ columns, add together these totals for rows A and B and enter this figure into the ‘Total Option £s’ box. This is the new OELS Options £s total for your agreement. Your OELS points options payment will be whichever is lower of the New Total Points Target in £s and the Total Option £s

Check that your points totals meet your points targets

When you have completed all your calculations as applicable to your agreement, check to make sure your new points total meets or exceeds the ‘New Total Points Target’ figure in your tables.

If the target is not met, check and adjust your options until it is. If the points target is not met, your ELS/OELS agreement is not valid and we will not be able to accept your changes.

Step 7: Complete your HLS payment totals

To calculate your HLS payment totals, add up all the ‘Annual Payment £’ values you’ve entered on your HLS whole farm, rotational, traditional farm buildings and access base payment options sheets, including any continuation sheets.

Enter this total into the ‘Annual payment (£) total’ box above the table on the first page and, if applicable, enter the number of continuation sheets attached in the continuation sheet box.

Repeat this process for your HLS parcel based options sheets.

Step 8: Complete your mapping changes

On the maps you have been sent:

• clearly cross through any options you are removing
• clearly show where any new options you’re adding will be located
• sign and date the maps you have changed

If you cannot show the changes clearly on your existing agreement maps, please contact RPA and we will send you blank copies to use.

For full guidance on how to mark up your maps, read Section 2.3 ‘How to fill in your application form and mark up your maps’ in your agreement handbook. You only need to follow the mapping guidance, not the references to completing the application form and annexes.

Step 9: Declaration and undertakings (page 6)

Read and sign the declaration. In order to sign this section, you must be a designated signatory to the agreement, including an authorised agent.

Step 10: Returning the form

When you have completed the steps above, return the form, maps and any other supporting documents, including photographs if required, to RPA.

We will consider your request and amend your agreement if your changes are accepted. We will write to let you know the outcome, including new copies of your agreement documents if applicable.

It is important you do not make any changes to your agreement until you have confirmation that we have amended it, as this may be a breach of your agreement.

Contact RPA

Email: ruralpayments@defra.gov.uk

Telephone: 03000 200 301

Rural Payments Agency (ES)
PO Box 390
Worksop
S80 9HD