Buying guide

6 tips for buying a country estate

What to check before buying rural land: services, access, charges, neighbours, price and building allowance.

1
Essential services such as electricity and water

It is very important that the estate has plenty of water and electricity, as bringing in these services can be complicated and expensive for estates that are hard to reach and far from towns.
2
Access to the estate

It is advisable to choose an estate with good car access and close to a large town. Consider the type of ground and the gradient of the access roads: in winter, rain can turn tracks into mud, so an estate that seems easy to reach in summer can be a problem in wetter months.
3
Is the estate free of charges?

Visit the Land Registry where the estate is registered and check that it meets all legal requirements and has no outstanding debts with banks, utility companies or the town council.
4
Who are your neighbours?

Before completing the purchase, it can be a good idea to talk to people in neighbouring villages, as they can tell you important things the seller may not mention.
5
The price

Within the same area, prices of country estates can vary considerably depending on the trees, access, type of use (livestock, leisure, hunting) and wildlife. We therefore recommend comparing prices on the different property portals.
6
Building allowance

If you plan to build a rural guesthouse on the estate, first go to the local town council and ask for the planning regulations that apply to it, as not all rural land can be built on.

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Essential services such as electricity and water