When agricultural tenancy laws apply to a property

An agricultural tenancy is any arrangement that allows a person, who is not the owner, to use a farm for agricultural purposes. In some instances, they may also live on the farm.

Where the predominant use of a property is for the purpose of agriculture, the Agricultural Tenancies Act 1990 applies to the tenancy, and the Residential Tenancies Act 2010 is void.

Agricultural tenancy laws do not apply to all farms. Agricultural tenancy laws only apply to farms that are:

• one hectare or larger
• wholly or mostly used, or intended to be used, for agricultural purposes
• occupied or used by a tenant.

Agricultural purposes include:

• grazing
• dairying
• pig farming
• poultry farming
• viticulture
• orcharding
• beekeeping
• horticulture
• growing of vegetables and crops
• forestry, or
• any combination of these activities.