In short: a good farm unit advert answers the questions a business asks before it gets in touch: what the space is, where it is, how big it is, what it costs, what facilities it has and what it can be used for. Use six to ten honest daylight photographs, give accurate measurements, set out every cost, list the facilities and say which uses you will consider. Clear adverts get fewer time-wasting enquiries and more serious ones.
1. A clear, specific title
Say what the space is and where it is. "Dry 1,200 sq ft storage barn near Ludlow" tells someone far more than "Unit available". Include the type of space (storage, workshop, office, barn or yard), something distinctive such as size, roller door or three-phase power, and the nearest town or village.
2. Photographs that show the space as it is
Photographs are the first thing people look at. Take them on a bright, dry day after clearing and sweeping the space.
- The outside of the building, showing the whole structure.
- The entrance and doors, open and closed.
- The interior from each corner, with lights on.
- The floor surface.
- Power points, the consumer unit, water and toilets, if provided.
- Parking, the yard and the access from the road.
- Any mezzanine, office area or outside space included.
Shoot in landscape with the camera level, and avoid wide-angle distortion that makes a space look larger than it is. Don't photograph personal information, number plates or security details such as alarm panels and key safes. On FarmUnits you can add a short description to each photograph. This helps people using screen readers, and it helps search engines understand the image.
3. Accurate measurements
- Usable internal floor area, in square feet or square metres. FarmUnits accepts square feet and shows the metric equivalent.
- Door width and height, the most important figures for storage and workshop tenants.
- Eaves height (the lowest point of the roof), if the space will be used for racking or vehicles.
- Any yard or outside area, measured separately.
State clearly whether any part of the building is shared or excluded.
4. Every cost, stated up front
Unclear costs are the most common reason enquiries go nowhere. Set out:
- the rent, and whether it is per week, month or year;
- whether VAT is added (only if you have opted to tax the building);
- who pays business rates, and the rateable value if known;
- how electricity, water and broadband are charged: included, sub-metered or arranged by the tenant;
- any service charge for shared areas;
- the deposit and any rent in advance.
Our guide to setting an asking rent explains how to work out a figure.
5. Facilities
Tick off what is available. These are the features tenants filter by on FarmUnits:
| Facility | What to say |
|---|---|
| Electricity | Single or three-phase, and whether it is metered separately |
| Water | Mains or private supply; a tap or a full kitchen |
| Toilet facilities | Private or shared |
| Parking | How many vehicles, and whether vans and trailers fit |
| HGV access | Whether articulated lorries can reach and turn |
| Gated access, CCTV | What security is in place |
| Broadband | Type of connection and typical speed |
| 24-hour access | Or the access hours that apply |
6. Suitable uses and restrictions
Say which activities you will consider and which you won't, such as no vehicle repairs, no noisy machinery after 6pm, or no retail visitors. Mention any limits on access hours, vehicle size, outdoor storage or hazardous materials. Only describe uses you can allow: avoid suggesting that every use is permitted if planning permission or other consents would be needed.
7. Location without oversharing
FarmUnits shows the town and county on public pages. Your postcode is used only for distance searches and is not displayed. You can share the exact address privately when you arrange a viewing.
8. Availability and terms
State when the unit is available, the minimum term you will consider, and whether you offer a lease or a licence. Mention anything a tenant should know early, such as farm activity at certain times of year.
9. Keep it up to date
Update the advert as soon as anything changes, and mark the unit as let when it is taken. See keeping your farm unit availability up to date.
Frequently asked questions
How many photos should a farm unit advert have?
Six to ten good photographs is usually enough: the outside, the entrance, the interior from several angles, the floor, the facilities and the access. More is fine if each one shows something new.
Should I include the rent in my advert?
Yes. Adverts with a clear rent and a clear statement of what it includes attract more suitable enquiries and save time on both sides.
Do I need to show my farm's address?
No. FarmUnits shows only the town and county publicly, and you can share the address privately when you arrange a viewing.
What makes a farm unit advert stand out?
Honest, bright photographs, accurate measurements, a clear rent and a specific description of the facilities and suitable uses. Tenants trust adverts that answer their questions without them having to ask.
Next steps
When your details are ready, create your free listing. You can save it as a draft and finish it later.
Photo credits
Photographs are reproduced under Creative Commons licences and have been resized and cropped.
- Timber-framed barn by Philip Halling, licensed under CC BY-SA 2.0
- Tape Measure (4915969081) by William Warby from London, England, licensed under CC BY 2.0
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