How much notice is needed to end a Farm Business Tenancy?

For a fixed term of more than two years, or a tenancy from year to year, at least 12 months and less than 24 months, in writing, to end on the term date or at the end of a year of the tenancy. A term of two years or less ends at its term date without notice.

What happens if no notice is given at the end of an FBT?

A fixed term of more than two years carries on as a tenancy from year to year on the same terms. To end it, give 12 to 24 months’ notice to expire at the end of a year of the tenancy.

How often can FBT rent be reviewed?

Under the statutory procedure, no more than every three years, with a review notice served 12 to 24 months before the review date. The agreement can set its own review pattern instead.

Does this work for AHA tenancies?

No. Tenancies under the Agricultural Holdings Act 1986, mostly granted before 1 September 1995, have different rules on notices to quit, rent reviews and succession.

Farm Business Tenancy notice calculator

Notices on a Farm Business Tenancy have to be served in a window that opens 24 months before the date and closes 12 months before it. Miss it and the tenancy runs on another year. Enter the start and the term to see every date that matters.

Updated 18 October 2026

Farm Business Tenancy notice calculator

Agricultural Tenancies Act 1995

Add when the tenancy started and how long it was granted for to see when it can end, when the rent can be reviewed, and when each notice has to be served.

Farm Business Tenancies

agreements in England

Average FBT rent

£0/ha

£93 an acre

Reviewed last year

of FBT agreements

Change at review

+0%

average, where reviewed

How it works

The 12 to 24 month rule

Under the Agricultural Tenancies Act 1995, most notices on a Farm Business Tenancy must be given in writing at least 12 months and less than 24 months before the date they take effect. That applies to a notice to quit at the end of a fixed term of more than two years, to a tenancy from year to year, to a break clause in a term of more than two years, and to a statutory rent review notice. A notice served too early is as invalid as one served too late.

This covers Farm Business Tenancies in England and Wales, which most farm lets since 1 September 1995 are. Tenancies under the Agricultural Holdings Act 1986 have their own rules, including security of tenure and succession.

Ending a fixed term

A fixed term of more than two years does not simply stop at its term date. Unless the landlord or the tenant gives notice in the window, it carries on as a tenancy from year to year on the same terms, and then needs the same 12 to 24 months’ notice to end at the end of a year of the tenancy.

A term of two years or less ends at its term date without any notice. If the tenant stays on with your agreement afterwards, it can become a yearly tenancy, so agree in writing what happens before the date arrives.

Statutory rent reviews

Either side can ask for the rent to be reviewed by giving a statutory review notice 12 to 24 months before the review date. Unless the agreement says otherwise, the review date must be at least three years after the tenancy began, or after the rent was last reviewed or changed, and falls on an anniversary of the start.

An agreement can contract out: fixed increases, a formula not linked to the open market, or its own review dates. If yours does, follow the agreement. Otherwise the new rent is the open market rent, agreed between you or settled by an arbitrator or independent expert.

Average FBT rent in England, 2024/25: £230 a hectare, about £93 an acre
16% of FBT agreements had their rent reviewed in the year, with an average rise of 6%

Serving the notice

Notices must be in writing. They can be delivered by hand, left at the tenant’s proper address, or sent by registered post or recorded delivery. Keep a copy and proof of service, and allow time for post: the calculator adds two working days if you send it by post.

Keeping track across an estate

An estate with several farm tenancies, grazing licences and cottages has notice windows opening every year. TenantTool records each agreement’s term, break and review dates, works out the windows, and reminds you before each one opens.

Common questions.

How much notice is needed to end a Farm Business Tenancy?: For a fixed term of more than two years, or a tenancy from year to year, at least 12 months and less than 24 months, in writing, to end on the term date or at the end of a year of the tenancy. A term of two years or less ends at its term date without notice.
What happens if no notice is given at the end of an FBT?: A fixed term of more than two years carries on as a tenancy from year to year on the same terms. To end it, give 12 to 24 months’ notice to expire at the end of a year of the tenancy.
How often can FBT rent be reviewed?: Under the statutory procedure, no more than every three years, with a review notice served 12 to 24 months before the review date. The agreement can set its own review pattern instead.
Does this work for AHA tenancies?: No. Tenancies under the Agricultural Holdings Act 1986, mostly granted before 1 September 1995, have different rules on notices to quit, rent reviews and succession.