You're welcome happy to help. I just don't see why normal p[eople cannot have what comes almost without cause to rich people..? If people want to live a simple life then why can't they, yes there should be rules on what buildings look like, etc. There has just been a new home built around 5 miles away from me looks just like a barn and if you were looking at it from the side you would think it was one. But looks great from the front all glass. But I also bet they paid some money to actually get the right to build it. This shouldn't be the case if you want to live in a small cottage on land you buy then why not if you purchased land 50 years ago then you could have and can do the same in many other countries but not in Uk.
Great video Craig. Much inspired. I have 100k equity in my house and I'm thinking of going for this lifestyle. Watched all your videos and read a lot. Your videos are true advice👍
Cheers mate and that's plenty to get you started if you say 50k for the land 50k to get everything set up you will be debt free for life and be living a good life. Make sure to keep me informed and if you want any advice to join Patreon it's cheap and i will answer any questions and guide you through the process when you are ready and good luck pal.
Yes there is I am just trying to help people live a lifestyle that should not only be affordable to the wealthy and is, but it takes a little courage to go out and grab it. I think people think it is harder than it is. I appreciate you taking the time to watch and your comments Thanks Craig
Brilliant just need to find land now. Spoke to a few farmers and they are saying they are hanging on to there land till the government are more clearer about the future of farming.
I think more farmland will come on the market soon as the government starts stopping supporting farmers lots will retire and probably sell the smaller parcels they have and sell the larger parcels to the government.
Exactly the same way if you can get away with it, but you have to use it as your normal home and keep utility bills etc. You might think it's hard but I know people who pay council tax but their living like this as council tax department is different from the planning department. But yep just keep bills and records of you living there the more discrete you are the better when it comes to neighbours though as they will snitch on you straight away especially in greenbelt
Do not worry about your activity on your own private freehold land, it is you r own right to do anything you like with consent which is easy for most things. Join us to buy land for £11k per acre freehold.
Your welcome make sure if you're going to do it that you keep as much information as possible and put it all somewhere safe, also go past the 4 years and 1 day if you don't get bothered especially if you are not going to build a new home straight away. Then you can say you've been there even longer I would keep going for as much time as I could until I had the whole money I needed to build a new property. Then your ready to build something and you have a mountain of backdated info that you have been living there
I’ve a plot in north wales which is just under a third of an acre used to be a farm house on it 30 yrs ago, it’s just outside the development area, it has road side access, running water and is even connected to the main drains What type of agriculture businesses do you recommend I would like to site a static on it no applications have been made to the council for the past 30 yrs Can you help Regards Keith
can the council legally demand 4/10 years of backdated council tax? shouldn't it start from when a LDC is granted or something? i googled and cant find any info or cases on the council demanding it from people
They can't really demand it but they will bring that up as to why you shouldn't get the right of lawfulness, also that's what all the locals will say. You could probs negotiate to a couple of years or refuse to pay and see how it goes. You won't find info like this online as they don't want people living without paying council tax
Thanks Craig. You're so kind to do all this. We all really appreciate the work you are putting into the videos to help all of us out. And Definitely do take time out for yourself to relax and enjoy your evenings,, you deserve it! :-) Could I poss ask a question?,,, When I buy my land and apply for permission to build a barn or stable,,, will they ask me specifically what the purpose of the building is for? I mean, will they want a lot of detail and proof that I am actually a farmer (with animals, tools etc). Do i need to demonstrate this? Or can i say that i am just at the beginning of starting a small farm? Thanx a million! All the best
Depending on how much land you buy several acre or something just say it's for storage of farming machines for security and animal feed, bedding, etc. Just put as much down as possible you won't have to demonstrate it. I mean your starting a new farm so you need somewhere secure to put all your farming machines and as I say bedding for animals, just all that sort of thing
@@thesmallfarmerlife Thankyou! I'd like to start a small farm, but Im so exhausted with the health condition I have, that its unlikely I'll be able to, as I would be on my own doing it. If I cant...Plan B is to maybe try to get volunteers to help me build a small woodland and an orchard. Im wondering, that if i built a barn, and was coming and going every day , like you say,,, and living in part of the barn,,,,,but was unable to start a farm, do you think this would alert neighbours,-- making them more likely to report me if they see no signs of actual farming going on.? I suppose what Im really asking is,, can i buy agricultural land, build a barn and live in part of it, without necessarily starting a small farm and still get away with the 4 year 1 day rule (even though Im not farming the land). Thanks a million. sorry to ask this follow up question. Im hoping to try to find a way to live my rural dream :-)
@@youareamazingyesyou5880 Yep you don't need to farm the land to get away with the 4 year 1 day rule and right of lawfulness. You just have to live in a building as your home for that amount of time take lots of images, showing you in the building and keep mail any recipes and get your friends or people you know who maybe know what your doing to give staments that you have been there. But you dont have to be farming, just go for it and crack on, life is to short to worry about anything and holding back is just another day fro m your ultimate goal...!
@@youareamazingyesyou5880 Your welcome and I wish you well in your future keep me informed on how it goes. Maybe one day will come and interview you on your life change. Now don't ever worry about them finding out, remember it is hard for them to get you off the land. If you ask them they say no but you have to understand some councils really don't care even if they find out as long as you keep the place clean and tidy even if they serve an enforcement notice on you doesn't mean they will act on it that's just to show that they are doing g something. But never lose sleep and just live your life and you will soon get better in the piece and quiet surroundings. Relax and Enjoy :)
Thanks alot bro smashed it I was wondering if you could do a video on what actually happens after you claim the right of lawfulness and get granted permission many thanks
Hi Craig, At the moment I use my mother's address as my main address. If I get pot sent to my new farm address will I be able to remortgage my existing property - that I don't live in given the address issue?
Yeah that is what my mate got the right to do, he built some awesome stables out of york stone and thought he would live in them after the 4 years but the council said no you have to build on the footprint of the barn. So you are bang on there and it can be the size of the barn. If it's a caravan you can put 4 caravans together like my mate did who did the 10 years rule. Its mint has a pool room and all sorts. Huge...!
@@thesmallfarmerlife So the footprint of the whole barn, not just the part you've been living in for four years? And how likely are they then going to be about letting you build a new barn? Does what you build in the footprint still have to then be approved by planning or as long as it's to code build what you want? Thanks in advance for any answers, video alone was very helpful
@@alicia217 You will get planning permission for the footprint of the barn or you can keep living in what you are living in. They cant make you build it to building regulations. That only applies when you start building a home. But if you choose to stay in the barn then that's fine. If you live in anything that is fixed to the ground then you can keep living in it. You can really turn some stables into a lovely home bit by bit or a barn if you want to.
Top man! Made the decision during the first lockdown to give up on normal life and setup on some land as off grid as I'm able to but this is the kind of information that's so helpful to people in my situation. We know it can be done because there are people doing it but all the information out there can be a bit much and confusing. Already saved up half the cash for the land in the last year but always had the worry I might have been getting my hopes up. This video made my day though and even more motivated to push on with it now. Subscribed!
Tom, you just have to go for it there are thousands of people out there doing just that people like me. The more people there is the more the planners have to listen and maybe just maybe we can get rid of some of the hoops. I wish you all the luck in the world go out and look for land that someone may wish to sell this is the best way to find some. Glad to see you found your way here and hope the videos help in some way. Top Man Thanks
Hi Craig, sorry to bother you yet again. My question today is, if we start a small farming business on our land which hopefully will be profitable and live permanently in a static caravan and pay council tax after 10 years 1 day would we still have to put in the right of lawfulness even though we won't be building a home just carrying on living in the caravan. Thank you so much for the information on all your videos. Hope your business adventure is going well. Please keep making the videos. Enjoy the summer. 🌞😀
Soon as you pay council tax you caravan will become lawful. If you mean you want to go down the 10 year 1 day not telling anyone but paying council tax, then yes I know a person who has do this
Thank you for replying, I see so if we pay council tax from day one we will become lawful.... We can't sadly hide away as our field is on a A road and gets quite busy during the day. We are slowly putting the inferstructure in then starting a small farming business, but after 10 years 1 day we will probably not build just carry on in a static van because of the cost.....Many thanks once again. 👍
It is just a normal planning application that you put in for the right of lawfullness. If you have all the utility bills and take photos and everything else. Even affidavits given from people who know you have been living there and they will grant it. It's just some people don't keep all that info that's needed to get it passed. But check on your local planning portal for the right of lawfulness planning applications
@@livingoffgridinscotland People think if they pay council tax then they will be caught but my mate paid it and was fine. If you keep the info and say you will pay the back-dated council tax you will get it, but again it probably depends on the evidence you collected along the way and paying the council tax is the best way to prove you were there. The Right Of Lawfulness wouldn't exist if it wasn't going to work. But you have to also see if those people did really live on the land for 4 years or were just trying to pull a fast one, which people try it on, trying to get the right to live on farmland, etc.
@@livingoffgridinscotland Have you had planning to live there..? What you living in ..? It's the taxes they want and if people don't say anything meaning the public the council don't give a flying you know what really it's only when the nosey B-------s can't keep their hands off the phones to SNJITCH on someone is moving in, wow there goes the neighbourhood...? It's a couple who want to live on the land they purchased how dare they...!
Great video as always Craig, just a quick update which may help others! I got well past the four years and then was grassed up to the council,the planning enforcement officer rang me and asked if I lived at the barn which I said yes for five years, he wanted to book a visit but before the booked visit he climbed the gate and came in poking around! I’ve got an air source heat pump which he took the serial number and called the manufacturer Portugal for installation dates which proved it had been there for 5years! I tried to pay council tax but was unable to without a planning number ,I didn’t get mail delivered as I’ve got a limited company which needs a registered address,all the neighbours new I was living here! The enforcement officer was an ex copper who thought I was a criminal as I used the planning laws to my advantage! I’m in court in two weeks as he’s applied for an enforcement notice with the excuse that I concealed the building by not having mail delivered ,not paying council tax and having scaffolding up none of which fits the definition of concealment ! I’ve already applied for LDC he’s just getting personal and trying to make things difficult (asshole) ! I’ll fight them all the way as I’m in the right!!!
You will win just state your case and try to get the neighbours to write An affidavit is a written statement from an individual which is sworn to be true. That is better than any post they cannot call them a lier in court or make them go to court. You need to get a solicitor who deals with this sort of thing they are out there who will go visit your neighbours and take their statements etc. May cost a little but that's what the guy in the barn who I talk about did he was in court on the eleventh hour though he was paying council tax. The neighbours said he was an asset to the community etc maybe you might want to go speak to some of them and see if they will give a statement for you..?
They are trying to and it will be 10 years but if you are wanting somewhere to live and not bothered about having a credit file, now I say this because most people don't pay council tax and that is what gets you have to pay to get on electro roll. Some people do pay council tax and the planning department are different from the council tax department and paying council tax will go well for you to prove you have lived there and if you have been there 5 years no bother they will probs let you stay after a little fight especially if you converted a stable block into home or something
Hay Craig, I noticed you said about legitimising kinda of by paying council tax. when would you recommend doing that? would that not flag you up as living their?? or do they not communicate also what would you declare the property as for council tax band?? Thank you
This is something I have thought long and hard about asked so many questions on subject. I know my friend who paid council tax for 3 years 9 months and then was snitched on and him paying council tax was one of the ways he proved he lived there. I don't think they talk to each department..? I mean you could make a fake phone call or just call them up the council tax department and say your building a new home, maybe you just got planning passed and the house will be built in next 3 months or so. Then just say when it comes to paying council tax do I just call and register. I think they will just take the money honestly. I mean if you get caught in the future they will make you back pay it for sure. Also If you have been a council tax payer in the past and you move they send a new council tax form to your new address to you not the address itself, they did this to me even though the council tax for where I moved to was already being paid so they didn't even know that there was already tax being paid on that home. I cant honestly see them going through planning. What I would say is that when you call to register for council tax that they will ask the address and search for it. If I where you I would say its new build just been built so it isn't in the database yet and I guarantee they will just take the money. But again just call and ask but give a different address do a little investigation lol
Think your right they probably don’t talk my friend lives in abandoned home for twenty years paid council tax the last five they agreed to allow them to legally keep the property as she kept all the repairs done Eg new windows and said that she require her money back if not. Just wanted to see your general thoughts but think their happy to just take the council tax money
Hi Craig, Another amazing video you have done for us! Can I ask a qestion: If you get caught and evicted, can you just come back and start again your attempt for the 4 year and 1 day? If yes, can you do it like in just few weeks time?
Is that true about having to pay 4 years worth of council tax? Seems unfair as you wouldn't have been using any council services in that time, its not like the bin men will be arriving at your woodland to take your rubbish away? Can anyone explain and give an idea of the rough price they'll charge if this is true. Thanks 👍🏼 Great channel BTW Craig these videos are great for knowledge 🙏
Yeah unfortunately that’s what they are like and that is what your neighbors will bring up when they get a letter about your planning application. It’s just what they will want from you as they are definitely out for it even though you may never have had a wheely bin or anything unfair yes but untrue no ..!
Hi Craig, brilliant video mate some really good info in this! I have a question though and need your advice on something. Me and my brother are looking to build 2 tiny homes (similar to hobbit houses) on a 10 acre plot of woodland. We are looking to use the The 4 Year And 1 Day Rule for both of them. If we fence off and put bushes all the way around our plot would that count as hiding the structures? Also, we would want to rent one out on airbnb, seeing as the house would be in use often and we would keep the bills for it as well would that be eligible for The Right of Lawfulness even if we weren't personally living in it?
Great vlog iam looking at going the stable route and possibly rent out a bit of land for a horse or maybe rent free to look like its a real paddock ;) Now I didn't know about back dated tax if you apply does anyone know what rough price that would be a year for land with no services as I plan going full off grid solar and rain water
Hio they will just charge you the same as what the area is even with no services. This is what the locals will complain about when applying for planning as they will get a letter informing them and they always mention the council tax. But go for it and don't worry about that until you have to. I built an L Shaped stable block I could keep horses in a couple and live in the rest If I wanted to. Who would know and if you had a bike and a van which you will need for picking things up etc then you could park van or car does matter as long as you had bike rack and bike it to the stables. Or you could build a lean-to on the end of the stable block and park the car in there and close the doors just like a garage. Simple just make sure you have blackout blinds up and if possible on a timer so you don't forget a little bit of money but saves your arse if you have one too many lol.
Hi @smallfarmerlife 👋 im so grateful for your video i have always dreamed of getting a piece of land and i just know that it is possible. I tried to show to my husband but he is still have sceptical about it. I would love for a video chat training if this something that you can do. Please do let me know if you are open to share your knowledge in a private one on one. Thank you
Hi if you want to live that dream get his arse into gear and go for it. You will get there one day, it's just about wanting it bad enough and if you do then you will get it honestly Good Luck
@@thesmallfarmerlife agree! I will keep on it. I just have one question still, if someone comes to complain that you are living in the barn during these 4 years, either neighbours or council dont know, what do you do? Do you deny or do you just say yes im living here because i dont have anywhere else to go?
@@HelenaCesarMakeup Just make the place you live in minimal not over the top with furnishings. Just enough to use as a place to have hot water, bathroom and basic murphy bed and say its for managing the land. You have to stay now and then but you don't live there. If it looks like grand designs it would be hard to deny. You don't want them to give you an enforcement notice that you are living their if they do, then just go down the rout of starting a rural business route...?
Hello. Thanks for uploading these videos. I'm still a little unclear on something, could I explain what I understand and you correct me please? If I want to go down the 4 year and 1 day method, I first buy some agricultural land. Then I apply for planning permission for a barn or stables or some agricultural building. I use the property and get local folks used to the idea of me and whoever else (but not a big family) coming and going to the property. Wait some months for people to potentially come and visit the property from the council to make sure things are kosher. After that or just 6 months of no activity from the council, start renovating part of the barn so that you can live in it, but make sure that the part of the building that touches the barn wall is built into that wall. After 4 years and 1 day, I can then apply for planning permission to build a regular house? If that is right, what I don't understand is what specifically qualifies me to apply and get planning permission for a house? What does the 4 years and 1 day time period connect to? How long I've owned the land? How long I've been living on the property without anyone knowing? If that is right, how would I prove it? Energy bills spanning the 4 years and 1 day period? Thanks for any help! Love the channel.
So it's the amount o0f time you start to live on site but you could say you were living there from day one even when coming and going. So long as you get mail for anything you can imagine sent to that actual barn or stables. Then once you think the locals are not going to say anything just convert one side of the barn which is nothing more than breese block wall. But you have to get as much information as you can together there that you are using it as a regular. You cannot be on the electoral role anywhere else as they will say you were living there. If you can pay council tax that will prove beyond doubt you have been living there. What qualifies you for a home is you have lived on the land in. a barn unnoticed for 4 years 1 day and well a barn is not the best place to live. So you will get planning to build on the barn footprint after 4 years. You can read about all over the place online. But you will need more than energy bills to prove it, you will need every bit of information you can gather, photos, statements from friends if you then know you are there and even some locals as not all locals are bad. Mine aren't and there right next door..?
@@thesmallfarmerlife Bad luck if u have NIMBY s ,some people are jealous in this world others couldn't give a f ,if u keep the place clean and tidy then what's their problem 🙄
Hi there is no such thing as unrestricted land I own my land Title Absolute which is the best form of land ownership you can have, but ultimately it's all a con at the end of the day. As all the land in the UK belongs to the crown anyway they just like to let us think we own it ...! Go Figure..?
@@thesmallfarmerlife If the crown tried to claim it all back in one go, they'd probably find out the hard way just how much of a con they have deceived themselves into believing! lol.
@@hungryOrb Yeah that would be a troubling time alright. But 30% of the land is held in just a few families and corporations own the most as well as private rich arse hole's. The land is literally in the hands of the few, there is plenty for people who want to live a simple life. But it's getting that land, many people are happy doing what they are doing and don't want to move into the country or have a piece of land they can barely take care of their home. Most people find it hard to take care of their garden never mind acres of land and it's hard like really hard. Well, I'm on my own if you had others helping you then it would be easier ..!
Brilliant video thanks for this cleared alot of things up and I will be looking to do the 4 year rule and building a barn, couple of questions:, how do you prove you've been there 4 years after the 4 years if that makes sense? Do you need photo evidence etc? I was thinking of buying a 2-3 acre forest instead of agricultural land so does the 4 year rule apply to forests aswell? Thanks
Hi yep the same rules apply for woodland it is even easier if you buy woodland you get permitted development to build a woodsman cabing check out my video on wood vs agricultural and also the other video on 4 years 1-day rule and 10 years one day rule. They explain what you need to prove you've been there that long i:e letters from start date which you can do while building the cabin to get local postman or women to know where you are. Just put a post box up at the entrance with a sign for your woods, use what I say in video blackout blinds, etc and just take lots of photos dated and also a location with an iPhone does all that. But if you go back and watch my other video on this topic there is a link to a family who did it in the woods and have a read you will get good info from it. Good Luck with your Search keep me informed one day would love to come down and see what your doing etc. Thanks Craig
Getting electric, water and drainage to a remote building will be drama. Electric solar and batteries very expensive Drainage septic tanks again not cheap. Water dig a well, breaking another rule
Wow ..! Buying a house and living like jones very, very expensive and a lot more hassle than getting utilities to a piece of land. I know this as I have done both. But ok you win and you don't want this sort of life great move on thanks for comment
This my first video on this subject with more info and what people actually get away with etc - Check It Out ruclips.net/video/WGp2IncX2TA/видео.html
Such a pleasure to watch a good human being genuinely trying to help others.
Thank you and God bless.
You're welcome happy to help. I just don't see why normal p[eople cannot have what comes almost without cause to rich people..? If people want to live a simple life then why can't they, yes there should be rules on what buildings look like, etc.
There has just been a new home built around 5 miles away from me looks just like a barn and if you were looking at it from the side you would think it was one. But looks great from the front all glass. But I also bet they paid some money to actually get the right to build it.
This shouldn't be the case if you want to live in a small cottage on land you buy then why not if you purchased land 50 years ago then you could have and can do the same in many other countries but not in Uk.
@@thesmallfarmerlife "THEY" want to get their hand in your pocket for everything you do.
Your on the ball. Thankyou.
Your welcome thanks for watching and commenting appreciate it
Great video Craig. Much inspired. I have 100k equity in my house and I'm thinking of going for this lifestyle. Watched all your videos and read a lot. Your videos are true advice👍
Cheers mate and that's plenty to get you started if you say 50k for the land 50k to get everything set up you will be debt free for life and be living a good life. Make sure to keep me informed and if you want any advice to join Patreon it's cheap and i will answer any questions and guide you through the process when you are ready and good luck pal.
What is “Patreon”?
Top man, really interesting stuff, I’m waiting for the deeds for my land and I’m living the good life very soon
BRILLIANT AND VERY INFORMATIVE
Thank you for your guidance it's very helpful. Now that I'm retired it is something I want to do.
Priceless information indeed. There is A LOT that human beings can learn regarding their birthrights in general. Anyways, Thank you Craig!
Yes there is I am just trying to help people live a lifestyle that should not only be affordable to the wealthy and is, but it takes a little courage to go out and grab it. I think people think it is harder than it is. I appreciate you taking the time to watch and your comments Thanks Craig
Brilliant just need to find land now. Spoke to a few farmers and they are saying they are hanging on to there land till the government are more clearer about the future of farming.
I think more farmland will come on the market soon as the government starts stopping supporting farmers lots will retire and probably sell the smaller parcels they have and sell the larger parcels to the government.
Join us to buy land for £11k per acre for genuine agricultural business.
As always, bang on advice mate, thank you
Thanks 🙏 so much for the energy and time you put into providing this information and inspiration- really appreciated
You are welcome hope you find info I provide helpful for something you might want to do in the future..?
Nice one Craig. Bang on the money with this one!
Thanks, Nick glad you liked it mate and thanks for the comment really appreciate you also taking the time to watch my video. Thanks, Matey
how doze it work with green belt ?
Exactly the same way if you can get away with it, but you have to use it as your normal home and keep utility bills etc. You might think it's hard but I know people who pay council tax but their living like this as council tax department is different from the planning department. But yep just keep bills and records of you living there the more discrete you are the better when it comes to neighbours though as they will snitch on you straight away especially in greenbelt
What happens if you get caught
Thank you Craig, I'm just worried I'll get spotted as I start to take materials on to small parcel of land
Do not worry about your activity on your own private freehold land, it is you r own right to do anything you like with consent which is easy for most things. Join us to buy land for £11k per acre freehold.
With consent?
I can't see your reply, I hate censorship
Top man Craig
Thaks appreciate you watching and commenting Thanks Craig
just the video ive been looking for.cheers craig
Your welcome make sure if you're going to do it that you keep as much information as possible and put it all somewhere safe, also go past the 4 years and 1 day if you don't get bothered especially if you are not going to build a new home straight away.
Then you can say you've been there even longer I would keep going for as much time as I could until I had the whole money I needed to build a new property. Then your ready to build something and you have a mountain of backdated info that you have been living there
Thanks man, great info
you are very good !
regards from austria👍👍👍
I’ve a plot in north wales which is just under a third of an acre used to be a farm house on it 30 yrs ago, it’s just outside the development area, it has road side access, running water and is even connected to the main drains
What type of agriculture businesses do you recommend I would like to site a static on it no applications have been made to the council for the past 30 yrs
Can you help
Regards
Keith
Thanks 👍🏼
can the council legally demand 4/10 years of backdated council tax? shouldn't it start from when a LDC is granted or something? i googled and cant find any info or cases on the council demanding it from people
They can't really demand it but they will bring that up as to why you shouldn't get the right of lawfulness, also that's what all the locals will say. You could probs negotiate to a couple of years or refuse to pay and see how it goes. You won't find info like this online as they don't want people living without paying council tax
Thanks Craig. You're so kind to do all this. We all really appreciate the work you are putting into the videos to help all of us out. And Definitely do take time out for yourself to relax and enjoy your evenings,, you deserve it! :-) Could I poss ask a question?,,, When I buy my land and apply for permission to build a barn or stable,,, will they ask me specifically what the purpose of the building is for? I mean, will they want a lot of detail and proof that I am actually a farmer (with animals, tools etc). Do i need to demonstrate this? Or can i say that i am just at the beginning of starting a small farm?
Thanx a million! All the best
Depending on how much land you buy several acre or something just say it's for storage of farming machines for security and animal feed, bedding, etc. Just put as much down as possible you won't have to demonstrate it. I mean your starting a new farm so you need somewhere secure to put all your farming machines and as I say bedding for animals, just all that sort of thing
@@thesmallfarmerlife Thankyou! I'd like to start a small farm, but Im so exhausted with the health condition I have, that its unlikely I'll be able to, as I would be on my own doing it. If I cant...Plan B is to maybe try to get volunteers to help me build a small woodland and an orchard. Im wondering, that if i built a barn, and was coming and going every day , like you say,,, and living in part of the barn,,,,,but was unable to start a farm, do you think this would alert neighbours,-- making them more likely to report me if they see no signs of actual farming going on.? I suppose what Im really asking is,, can i buy agricultural land, build a barn and live in part of it, without necessarily starting a small farm and still get away with the 4 year 1 day rule (even though Im not farming the land). Thanks a million. sorry to ask this follow up question. Im hoping to try to find a way to live my rural dream :-)
@@youareamazingyesyou5880 Yep you don't need to farm the land to get away with the 4 year 1 day rule and right of lawfulness.
You just have to live in a building as your home for that amount of time take lots of images, showing you in the building and keep mail any recipes and get your friends or people you know who maybe know what your doing to give staments that you have been there.
But you dont have to be farming, just go for it and crack on, life is to short to worry about anything and holding back is just another day fro m your ultimate goal...!
@@thesmallfarmerlife you're totaly right,, life is too short. I hav to go 4 it. Thanx a million for all the encouragement!
@@youareamazingyesyou5880 Your welcome and I wish you well in your future keep me informed on how it goes. Maybe one day will come and interview you on your life change. Now don't ever worry about them finding out, remember it is hard for them to get you off the land.
If you ask them they say no but you have to understand some councils really don't care even if they find out as long as you keep the place clean and tidy even if they serve an enforcement notice on you doesn't mean they will act on it that's just to show that they are doing g something.
But never lose sleep and just live your life and you will soon get better in the piece and quiet surroundings. Relax and Enjoy :)
Thanks alot bro smashed it I was wondering if you could do a video on what actually happens after you claim the right of lawfulness and get granted permission many thanks
Will look at that good idea for a video thanks
Hi Craig, At the moment I use my mother's address as my main address. If I get pot sent to my new farm address will I be able to remortgage my existing property - that I don't live in given the address issue?
Thumb up left.
Can you then knock the barn down and make a two story house on the same footprint?
Yeah that is what my mate got the right to do, he built some awesome stables out of york stone and thought he would live in them after the 4 years but the council said no you have to build on the footprint of the barn. So you are bang on there and it can be the size of the barn.
If it's a caravan you can put 4 caravans together like my mate did who did the 10 years rule. Its mint has a pool room and all sorts. Huge...!
@@thesmallfarmerlife So the footprint of the whole barn, not just the part you've been living in for four years? And how likely are they then going to be about letting you build a new barn? Does what you build in the footprint still have to then be approved by planning or as long as it's to code build what you want? Thanks in advance for any answers, video alone was very helpful
@@alicia217 You will get planning permission for the footprint of the barn or you can keep living in what you are living in.
They cant make you build it to building regulations. That only applies when you start building a home. But if you choose to stay in the barn then that's fine.
If you live in anything that is fixed to the ground then you can keep living in it. You can really turn some stables into a lovely home bit by bit or a barn if you want to.
Top man! Made the decision during the first lockdown to give up on normal life and setup on some land as off grid as I'm able to but this is the kind of information that's so helpful to people in my situation. We know it can be done because there are people doing it but all the information out there can be a bit much and confusing. Already saved up half the cash for the land in the last year but always had the worry I might have been getting my hopes up. This video made my day though and even more motivated to push on with it now. Subscribed!
Tom, you just have to go for it there are thousands of people out there doing just that people like me. The more people there is the more the planners have to listen and maybe just maybe we can get rid of some of the hoops. I wish you all the luck in the world go out and look for land that someone may wish to sell this is the best way to find some. Glad to see you found your way here and hope the videos help in some way. Top Man Thanks
@@thesmallfarmerlife Cheers for the kind words mate. Look forward to all the new content here
Hi Craig, sorry to bother you yet again. My question today is, if we start a small farming business on our land which hopefully will be profitable and live permanently in a static caravan and pay council tax after 10 years 1 day would we still have to put in the right of lawfulness even though we won't be building a home just carrying on living in the caravan. Thank you so much for the information on all your videos. Hope your business adventure is going well. Please keep making the videos. Enjoy the summer. 🌞😀
Soon as you pay council tax you caravan will become lawful. If you mean you want to go down the 10 year 1 day not telling anyone but paying council tax, then yes I know a person who has do this
Thank you for replying, I see so if we pay council tax from day one we will become lawful.... We can't sadly hide away as our field is on a A road and gets quite busy during the day. We are slowly putting the inferstructure in then starting a small farming business, but after 10 years 1 day we will probably not build just carry on in a static van because of the cost.....Many thanks once again. 👍
Brilliant, really need this information
Have you done this on your own or with a family
Do you have any examples of where a certificate of lawful use has been successful? I know the planners try everything to refuse them...
It is just a normal planning application that you put in for the right of lawfullness. If you have all the utility bills and take photos and everything else. Even affidavits given from people who know you have been living there and they will grant it. It's just some people don't keep all that info that's needed to get it passed. But check on your local planning portal for the right of lawfulness planning applications
@@thesmallfarmerlife yes, we are in Dumfries and Galloway
Only ones I’ve ever found were refused, not paying council tax is the main reason!
@@livingoffgridinscotland People think if they pay council tax then they will be caught but my mate paid it and was fine. If you keep the info and say you will pay the back-dated council tax you will get it, but again it probably depends on the evidence you collected along the way and paying the council tax is the best way to prove you were there.
The Right Of Lawfulness wouldn't exist if it wasn't going to work. But you have to also see if those people did really live on the land for 4 years or were just trying to pull a fast one, which people try it on, trying to get the right to live on farmland, etc.
@@thesmallfarmerlife we are 10 years in august, council tax paid religiously
@@livingoffgridinscotland Have you had planning to live there..? What you living in ..? It's the taxes they want and if people don't say anything meaning the public the council don't give a flying you know what really it's only when the nosey B-------s can't keep their hands off the phones to SNJITCH on someone is moving in, wow there goes the neighbourhood...? It's a couple who want to live on the land they purchased how dare they...!
Great video as always Craig, just a quick update which may help others! I got well past the four years and then was grassed up to the council,the planning enforcement officer rang me and asked if I lived at the barn which I said yes for five years, he wanted to book a visit but before the booked visit he climbed the gate and came in poking around! I’ve got an air source heat pump which he took the serial number and called the manufacturer Portugal for installation dates which proved it had been there for 5years! I tried to pay council tax but was unable to without a planning number ,I didn’t get mail delivered as I’ve got a limited company which needs a registered address,all the neighbours new I was living here! The enforcement officer was an ex copper who thought I was a criminal as I used the planning laws to my advantage! I’m in court in two weeks as he’s applied for an enforcement notice with the excuse that I concealed the building by not having mail delivered ,not paying council tax and having scaffolding up none of which fits the definition of concealment ! I’ve already applied for LDC he’s just getting personal and trying to make things difficult (asshole) ! I’ll fight them all the way as I’m in the right!!!
You will win just state your case and try to get the neighbours to write An affidavit is a written statement from an individual which is sworn to be true. That is better than any post they cannot call them a lier in court or make them go to court. You need to get a solicitor who deals with this sort of thing they are out there who will go visit your neighbours and take their statements etc. May cost a little but that's what the guy in the barn who I talk about did he was in court on the eleventh hour though he was paying council tax. The neighbours said he was an asset to the community etc maybe you might want to go speak to some of them and see if they will give a statement for you..?
@@thesmallfarmerlife thanks Craig I’ve already got 7 letters from the neighbours and locals in the nearby village , thanks for the reply
is the 4 year and 1 day rule still valid? I hear they are phasing it out this year?
They are trying to and it will be 10 years but if you are wanting somewhere to live and not bothered about having a credit file, now I say this because most people don't pay council tax and that is what gets you have to pay to get on electro roll. Some people do pay council tax and the planning department are different from the council tax department and paying council tax will go well for you to prove you have lived there and if you have been there 5 years no bother they will probs let you stay after a little fight especially if you converted a stable block into home or something
Hay Craig, I noticed you said about legitimising kinda of by paying council tax. when would you recommend doing that? would that not flag you up as living their?? or do they not communicate also what would you declare the property as for council tax band?? Thank you
This is something I have thought long and hard about asked so many questions on subject. I know my friend who paid council tax for 3 years 9 months and then was snitched on and him paying council tax was one of the ways he proved he lived there. I don't think they talk to each department..? I mean you could make a fake phone call or just call them up the council tax department and say your building a new home, maybe you just got planning passed and the house will be built in next 3 months or so. Then just say when it comes to paying council tax do I just call and register. I think they will just take the money honestly. I mean if you get caught in the future they will make you back pay it for sure. Also If you have been a council tax payer in the past and you move they send a new council tax form to your new address to you not the address itself, they did this to me even though the council tax for where I moved to was already being paid so they didn't even know that there was already tax being paid on that home. I cant honestly see them going through planning. What I would say is that when you call to register for council tax that they will ask the address and search for it. If I where you I would say its new build just been built so it isn't in the database yet and I guarantee they will just take the money. But again just call and ask but give a different address do a little investigation lol
Think your right they probably don’t talk my friend lives in abandoned home for twenty years paid council tax the last five they agreed to allow them to legally keep the property as she kept all the repairs done Eg new windows and said that she require her money back if not. Just wanted to see your general thoughts but think their happy to just take the council tax money
Craig,thanks alot for this valuable information -Top Man 👍
Very first one to like & comment. :)
Great thanks for taking the time to watch and to comment and hope to see you around here more often. Top Sub..!
amazing craig, thanks
you make an e-book online craig and publish it to save you repeating yourself in comments :)
@@OscarsEditing I know mate I was thinking about it, what you think would be a good name for it...?
Hi Craig,
Another amazing video you have done for us!
Can I ask a qestion:
If you get caught and evicted, can you just come back and start again your attempt for the 4 year and 1 day? If yes, can you do it like in just few weeks time?
Hi no they will put an enforcement notice on the property preventing you from claiming the right of lawfulness again or doing anything like that
Is that true about having to pay 4 years worth of council tax? Seems unfair as you wouldn't have been using any council services in that time, its not like the bin men will be arriving at your woodland to take your rubbish away? Can anyone explain and give an idea of the rough price they'll charge if this is true. Thanks 👍🏼
Great channel BTW Craig these videos are great for knowledge 🙏
Yeah unfortunately that’s what they are like and that is what your neighbors will bring up when they get a letter about your planning application. It’s just what they will want from you as they are definitely out for it even though you may never have had a wheely bin or anything unfair yes but untrue no ..!
Hi Craig, brilliant video mate some really good info in this! I have a question though and need your advice on something.
Me and my brother are looking to build 2 tiny homes (similar to hobbit houses) on a 10 acre plot of woodland. We are looking to use the The 4 Year And 1 Day Rule for both of them.
If we fence off and put bushes all the way around our plot would that count as hiding the structures?
Also, we would want to rent one out on airbnb, seeing as the house would be in use often and we would keep the bills for it as well would that be eligible for The Right of Lawfulness even if we weren't personally living in it?
Nevermind, just seen they are about to abolish this rule...
Great vlog iam looking at going the stable route and possibly rent out a bit of land for a horse or maybe rent free to look like its a real paddock ;)
Now I didn't know about back dated tax if you apply does anyone know what rough price that would be a year for land with no services as I plan going full off grid solar and rain water
Hio they will just charge you the same as what the area is even with no services. This is what the locals will complain about when applying for planning as they will get a letter informing them and they always mention the council tax.
But go for it and don't worry about that until you have to. I built an L Shaped stable block I could keep horses in a couple and live in the rest If I wanted to. Who would know and if you had a bike and a van which you will need for picking things up etc then you could park van or car does matter as long as you had bike rack and bike it to the stables.
Or you could build a lean-to on the end of the stable block and park the car in there and close the doors just like a garage. Simple just make sure you have blackout blinds up and if possible on a timer so you don't forget a little bit of money but saves your arse if you have one too many lol.
Hi @smallfarmerlife 👋 im so grateful for your video i have always dreamed of getting a piece of land and i just know that it is possible. I tried to show to my husband but he is still have sceptical about it. I would love for a video chat training if this something that you can do. Please do let me know if you are open to share your knowledge in a private one on one. Thank you
Hi if you want to live that dream get his arse into gear and go for it. You will get there one day, it's just about wanting it bad enough and if you do then you will get it honestly Good Luck
@@thesmallfarmerlife agree! I will keep on it. I just have one question still, if someone comes to complain that you are living in the barn during these 4 years, either neighbours or council dont know, what do you do? Do you deny or do you just say yes im living here because i dont have anywhere else to go?
@@HelenaCesarMakeup Just make the place you live in minimal not over the top with furnishings. Just enough to use as a place to have hot water, bathroom and basic murphy bed and say its for managing the land. You have to stay now and then but you don't live there. If it looks like grand designs it would be hard to deny. You don't want them to give you an enforcement notice that you are living their if they do, then just go down the rout of starting a rural business route...?
Hello. Thanks for uploading these videos. I'm still a little unclear on something, could I explain what I understand and you correct me please?
If I want to go down the 4 year and 1 day method, I first buy some agricultural land. Then I apply for planning permission for a barn or stables or some agricultural building. I use the property and get local folks used to the idea of me and whoever else (but not a big family) coming and going to the property. Wait some months for people to potentially come and visit the property from the council to make sure things are kosher. After that or just 6 months of no activity from the council, start renovating part of the barn so that you can live in it, but make sure that the part of the building that touches the barn wall is built into that wall.
After 4 years and 1 day, I can then apply for planning permission to build a regular house?
If that is right, what I don't understand is what specifically qualifies me to apply and get planning permission for a house? What does the 4 years and 1 day time period connect to? How long I've owned the land? How long I've been living on the property without anyone knowing? If that is right, how would I prove it? Energy bills spanning the 4 years and 1 day period?
Thanks for any help! Love the channel.
So it's the amount o0f time you start to live on site but you could say you were living there from day one even when coming and going. So long as you get mail for anything you can imagine sent to that actual barn or stables. Then once you think the locals are not going to say anything just convert one side of the barn which is nothing more than breese block wall.
But you have to get as much information as you can together there that you are using it as a regular. You cannot be on the electoral role anywhere else as they will say you were living there. If you can pay council tax that will prove beyond doubt you have been living there.
What qualifies you for a home is you have lived on the land in. a barn unnoticed for 4 years 1 day and well a barn is not the best place to live. So you will get planning to build on the barn footprint after 4 years. You can read about all over the place online.
But you will need more than energy bills to prove it, you will need every bit of information you can gather, photos, statements from friends if you then know you are there and even some locals as not all locals are bad. Mine aren't and there right next door..?
@@thesmallfarmerlife Thanks Craig, really appreciate it!
@@thesmallfarmerlife Bad luck if u have NIMBY s ,some people are jealous in this world others couldn't give a f ,if u keep the place clean and tidy then what's their problem 🙄
@@thesmallfarmerlife So Craig the mail sent to this address does it need to be kept in an un-opened state, with the envelope and the stamp franked?
Mate you are so funny , straight as an arrow love it. Hahahahahahahaha
Lol thanks for the comment and taking the time to watch my videos
Isn't the best land unrestricted 🤔, especially if it comes with unrestricted deeds. Hard to find but you can then do what you like 👍 💯 %
Hi there is no such thing as unrestricted land I own my land Title Absolute which is the best form of land ownership you can have, but ultimately it's all a con at the end of the day. As all the land in the UK belongs to the crown anyway they just like to let us think we own it ...! Go Figure..?
@@thesmallfarmerlife If the crown tried to claim it all back in one go, they'd probably find out the hard way just how much of a con they have deceived themselves into believing! lol.
@@hungryOrb Yeah that would be a troubling time alright. But 30% of the land is held in just a few families and corporations own the most as well as private rich arse hole's.
The land is literally in the hands of the few, there is plenty for people who want to live a simple life. But it's getting that land, many people are happy doing what they are doing and don't want to move into the country or have a piece of land they can barely take care of their home.
Most people find it hard to take care of their garden never mind acres of land and it's hard like really hard. Well, I'm on my own if you had others helping you then it would be easier ..!
@@thesmallfarmerlife put your property in a private trust then its untouchable
Brilliant video thanks for this cleared alot of things up and I will be looking to do the 4 year rule and building a barn, couple of questions:,
how do you prove you've been there 4 years after the 4 years if that makes sense? Do you need photo evidence etc?
I was thinking of buying a 2-3 acre forest instead of agricultural land so does the 4 year rule apply to forests aswell?
Thanks
Hi yep the same rules apply for woodland it is even easier if you buy woodland you get permitted development to build a woodsman cabing check out my video on wood vs agricultural and also the other video on 4 years 1-day rule and 10 years one day rule.
They explain what you need to prove you've been there that long i:e letters from start date which you can do while building the cabin to get local postman or women to know where you are. Just put a post box up at the entrance with a sign for your woods, use what I say in video blackout blinds, etc and just take lots of photos dated and also a location with an iPhone does all that.
But if you go back and watch my other video on this topic there is a link to a family who did it in the woods and have a read you will get good info from it. Good Luck with your Search keep me informed one day would love to come down and see what your doing etc. Thanks Craig
Getting electric, water and drainage to a remote building will be drama.
Electric solar and batteries very expensive
Drainage septic tanks again not cheap.
Water dig a well, breaking another rule
Wow ..! Buying a house and living like jones very, very expensive and a lot more hassle than getting utilities to a piece of land. I know this as I have done both. But ok you win and you don't want this sort of life great move on thanks for comment
always remember if you paid you failed
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