Estate Management

We act for owners and occupiers of farms, estates, rural businesses and commercial property. Whether your requirement is full estate management, strategic advice or one off consultancy we have both the team and expertise to deliver a strong, professional and cost effective service. We are the largest independent firm of this type in the South East, delivering an unrivalled range of professional services. With expert advice from our Partners and staff, a pro-active approach to management and development, and sound business acumen, you can depend upon us to achieve all you require for your property. We act for clients across Kent, Surrey, Sussex and the South of England. Our range of services are listed below:

Estate Management

We act for a wide range of estate and farm owners providing everything from full day to day management to retained consultancy and one-off instructions. We endeavour to retain the same management team, ensuring continuity and a high level of service.

Succession Planning

Succession planning can be a sensitive and thorny subject, it is often underrated, yet failure to plan for succession can prove costly to the farm business and the farming families.

Strategic Reviews

Every business needs to review its policy from time to time. A review provides the springboard for developing medium and long term management, business and ownership strategies. We focus on making assets perform and add value at all levels.

Tax Planning

Taxes in all forms have an increasingly significant effect on businesses and private property ownership. We advise on strategy to help mitigate against liability for tax with a particular expertise in inheritance tax including Business Property Relief (BPR) and Agricultural Property Relief (APR) as well as Private Residence Relief (PRR) for Capital Gains Tax.

Rural Diversification

Some form of diversification is common place across farms and estates in the South East. We can advise you at the outset, from planning permission and feasibility through to ensuring the longevity of the project.

Compulsory Purchase

New infrastructure schemes and housing developments continue despite financial cutbacks. Protecting landowners’ and occupiers’ interests requires prompt action, a strong working knowledge of this complicated area of law and a robust attitude to negotiations.

Sporting Rights

Well managed or let sporting rights are a valuable asset on any farm or estate. We advise on the management and development of both in-hand and let shooting, fishing and stalking rights. We are actively involved with the Game and Wildlife Conservation Trust.

Public Access

Public access and Rights of Way can cause issues for landowners. We advise on the management of existing routes, submission of Statutory Declarations/Deposits and can represent clients for Modification Orders, new routes and Village Green claims.

Expert Witness

We have a number of noted experts on a broad range of subjects. All are members of the appropriate professional bodies and maintain a high degree of training and professional development, both in their subject and in the requirement of an Expert Witness.

Valuation

As RICS Registered Valuers, we are able to provide professional valuations for a wide range of purposes.

Development and Land Promotion

Securing planning consent for large scale projects can be expensive and risky. Introducing a development partner to fund the project can be a solution. We advise clients throughout from conception of the scheme to eventual sale of the land. We are experienced in negotiating the terms of Joint Ventures, Option Agreements and Promotion Agreements. Ensuring that landowners are adequately protected and remunerated requires careful drafting and extensive experience.

Agricultural Law

A thorough understanding of agricultural property legislation is essential to sound estate management. This expert knowledge allows innovative management at a time when the traditional principles of farming are under great strain.