IHTM24243 | Agricultural Tenancies Act 1995: Inheritance tax implications of the ATA 1995

Land let on new tenancies

IHTA84/S116 (2)(c) (inserted by FA95/S155) states that 100% relief will apply if

‘the interest of the transferor in the property does not carry either of the rights mentioned in paragraph (a)’ (that is the right to vacant possession or the right to obtain it within 12 months) ’above because the property is let on a tenancy beginning on or after 1 September 1995.’

So, this section will apply in respect of all new tenancies of agricultural land commencing on or after 1 September 1995, not just farm business tenancies under the ATA 1995. For further guidance on this point, and an example, see IHTM24241. A succession tenancy granted under the statutory succession scheme in the 1986 Act will be a ‘new’ tenancy for this purpose if it commences on or after 1 September 1995.

For the purposes of inheritance tax the commencement of the new tenancy is taken to be the date of death of the tenant who is succeeded, IHTA84/S116 (5B).

The availability of 100% relief will be limited for deaths and transfers from 6 April 2026 (and for transfers from 30 October 2024 where the transferor dies within 7 years and on or after 6 April 2026) see IHTM25500.

Surrender of AHA 1986 tenancy

A tenancy under the 1986 Act may be terminated and a farm business tenancy granted in its place in order to take advantage of the new provisions, particularly in family situations. So long as there has been a clear surrender of the old tenancy (or the necessary notice and counter-notice has taken place to formally determine the old tenancy) there should not be a problem.

In a family situation where the deceased/transferor is the tenant (either sole or as a member of a partnership which occupies the land where he may also be the landlord) a surrender for no consideration may constitute a transfer of value. If the tenancy was at a full rack rent or there is provision for regular rent reviews then it is unlikely that a surrender will constitute a transfer of value. However, if the surrender does constitute a transfer of value and the donor/tenant dies within the seven-year period then the additional conditions (IHTM24170) at IHTA84/S124A and B will not be satisfied. The donee has not retained or replaced the original gifted property (albeit involuntarily) because the original tenancy has simply ‘disappeared’. Relief will not therefore apply. The point may not be significant if it can be established that the tenancy has no substantial capital value.

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Gift of tenanted land

In the situation where a gift of tenanted land is made before 1 September 1995 and the transferor dies within seven years relief would be available at 50%. If, however the existing tenancy had, in the meantime come to an end and been replaced with a new tenancy commencing on or after 1 September then relief would be available at 100% rather than 50% on the failed PET.

If tenanted land has been owned by the transferor since before 10 March 1981 and the transitional provisions (IHTM24145) are satisfied then relief will be available at 100% in any event, subject to the limits from 6 April 2026 (IHTM25500).

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Who is in occupation?

A farm business tenancy is evidently a tenancy and not a licence. Where land is let under a farm business tenancy it is the tenant who is in occupation and not the owner. The farm business tenancy confers exclusive occupation upon the tenant so in such circumstances if the owner has let all their land on such a tenancy it is unlikely that their house could be regarded as being occupied for the purposes of agriculture or be a farmhouse.