The Church Commissioners let farmland across England, so a tenant considering a roof array will probably deal with a managing agent first. This page makes no claim about what the Commissioners require for solar: we found no published solar policy. It sets out the law and the questions to put in writing.
What the Church Commissioners publish
The Commissioners’ Real assets page says its English farmland is let to skilled farming tenants and managed to support nature alongside investment goals; it mentions renewable energy only as a general use of land in that portfolio. A March 2021 written answer on their behalf said specialist rural agents manage the portfolio day to day and tenants may approach them with new ideas.
Which law governs your tenancy
First find out which statute governs your tenancy. Many older tenancies fall under the Agricultural Holdings Act 1986 (the 1986 Act); more recent ones are often farm business tenancies under the Agricultural Tenancies Act 1995 (the 1995 Act). They give tenants different rights over what they add, so your agreement, solicitor or land agent should confirm which applies.
Removing what you fix to the building
Section 8 of the 1995 Act and section 10 of the 1986 Act both let a tenant remove some of what they add. Each excludes items installed under an obligation or in place of the landlord’s own, and each requires the tenant to avoid unnecessary damage. Neither mentions solar panels, so whether a roof array is a removable fixture is a question for your solicitor.
Consent and compensation
Get consent in writing and say what it covers. Section 17 of the 1995 Act and section 67 of the 1986 Act both make written landlord consent a condition of compensation, and either can carry terms. Neither says how a roof array is classified, so ask the land agent to state whether it is treated as an improvement, a removable fixture or neither.
Who repairs the roof under the array
Panels need a sound roof and a structure that can carry them. Find out from the tenancy who must repair or replace the roof (the 1973 repairing regulations, as made, put roof replacement mainly on the landlord of an agricultural holding, with some tenant duties, unless the agreement differs) and get a structural assessment first; see solar panel weight and roof loading. For asbestos cement sheets, overclad or strip an asbestos cement farm roof compares the options.
What to put in the written request
Before approaching the land agent, assemble:
- the tenancy agreement and its date;
- roof photographs, age and sheet material;
- array size and layout, and a structural report (solar panel weight and roof loading);
- how it will be paid for (farm solar cost guide, grants and funding);
- the end-of-tenancy position you want agreed in writing.
solar panels for agricultural buildings covers the building and system, and tenant farmer solar and landlord consent gives background. The pages for the Crown Estate, Devonshire (Chatsworth) and the Duchy of Cornwall follow the same checklist.
| Point on this page | Source | Date |
|---|---|---|
| English farmland let to tenants; renewables only a general land use | Church of England, Real assets | undated |
| Rural agents manage portfolio; tenants may bring new ideas | Church in Parliament, Written Questions: Farms | 19 Mar 2021 |
| Tenants may remove fixtures and buildings they add, with exclusions | 1995 Act s.8, 1986 Act s.10 | current text |
| Landlord’s written consent; compensation for improvements | s.17, s.67 | current text |
| Default roof repair duties on an agricultural holding | SI 1973/1473, Fixed Equipment Regulations | 1973, as made |
Common questions
Does the Church Commissioners publish a solar policy for tenants?
We found none for the Church Commissioners on the pages cited (checked 20 October 2026). Ask the land agent whether anything is written down, such as standard alteration terms, and keep the reply.
Which law applies to my tenancy?
Older tenancies are often under the Agricultural Holdings Act 1986, newer ones often farm business tenancies under the Agricultural Tenancies Act 1995. Your agreement and a solicitor can confirm which.
Do I need the landlord’s consent to put panels on a let building?
The tenancy’s alteration and improvement clauses decide. Written consent is also a condition of compensation under section 17 of the 1995 Act and, for long-term improvements, section 67 of the 1986 Act.
Other estate-landlord and tenant-farmer pages
See the wider UK estate-landlord and tenant-farmer solar resource set: