THE Tenant Farmers Association (TFA) has hit out at proposed rent rises of between 14 and 35 per cent by agents acting for the Church Commissioners.

George Dunn, TFA chief executive, described such increases as “unjustified”.

He said that despite a better harvest, dramatic cuts in prices for most farm products meant there would be no room for rent rises this autumn.

Rent reviews normally take place over a three-year cycle and are triggered by notices served at least a year in advance of reviews – many notices had been served for reviews of rents last altered in 2011 to take place this autumn. A look at the financial performance of most farms three years ago, compared with this year, showed that today’s output prices were at best no better and at worst lower than then, while costs had shown considerable increases.

Mr Dunn said: “A properly- conducted farm rent review three years ago will have set a level of rent that should not see an increase this year.”

Each case should be looked at on its own merits.

There may be some cases where rents had not been reviewed for some time where an increase might be justified.

But equally, there may be rents settled at unsustainable levels three years ago that will be ripe for reduction.

“However, in the main we would expect to see rents remain at a standstill in a substantial number of cases,” said Mr Dunn, who added that most landlords had yet to show their hand in terms of rent proposals.

But he said: “The TFA has been particularly concerned at one set of proposals tabled by a national firm of agents on behalf of the Church Commissioners, which contains suggestions for rent increases from between 14 per cent up to 35 per cent.

“While it is difficult to focus on percentages, these are farms that were properly reviewed three years ago and, therefore, they are not increasing from a low base.

The TFA is absolutely clear – such increases are unjustified.”

Mr Dunn hoped that the “madness” in tenders for farm business tenancies would halt, saying those who had tendered well over the odds would have had their fingers burnt.