Commercial forestry - legal considerations for buyers in England and Wales

摘要

The preferential tax treatment of owners of commercial woodlands is widely known. However, this article explores some of the legal issues that should ideally be considered before making an offer for a commercial woodland and certainly before exchanging contracts in a transaction. Is the property being acquired freehold or leasehold land? If the property is leasehold, what is the length of term stated in the lease and also a rent payable (although in longer leases this is likely to be nominal)? What are the other material tenant's obligations under the lease? Can the lease be terminated by either party and, if so, how?