Even if you receive farmland permission, that is not the end

Once you receive permission under the Farmland Act, it feels like you have cleared a major hurdle.

You gather the necessary documents, prepare the application, and submit it to the Agricultural Commission.
You handle any corrections if needed, and finally receive the permit.

At this point, some people might think, "The procedures are all finished now."

However, in reality, there are still necessary procedures after receiving permission.

In the case of Article 3 of the Farmland Act

Article 3 of the Farmland Act is the procedure for buying, selling, or gifting farmland while keeping it as farmland.

Even if you receive permission under Article 3, the title of the land does not change automatically.

After receiving permission, you must prepare the permit, contract, and other documents, and perform a transfer of ownership registration at the Legal Affairs Bureau. It is common to hire a judicial scrivener for registration.

At that time, in addition to the permit, you will need documents such as the sales contract or gift deed, a certificate of fixed asset valuation, and a power of attorney.

In the case of a sale, you also need to confirm the payment of the price and the preparation of a receipt.

In the case of Articles 4 and 5 of the Farmland Act

Articles 4 and 5 of the Farmland Act are procedures for converting farmland to non-farmland uses, such as residential sites, parking lots, or material storage areas.

Article 4 applies when the owner of the farmland converts it themselves.

Article 5 applies when converting by transferring or establishing rights through sale, gift, or lease.

After receiving permission, you proceed with land preparation and construction according to the approved plan.

After the construction is completed, you must submit a completion notice or completion report to the Agricultural Commission to report that the conversion has been carried out as planned.

Also, once the actual state of the land has changed to something other than farmland, a registration of change of land category is required to match the land category in the registry with the actual state. You hire a land and house investigator for the registration of change of land category.

If the owner changes due to a sale or gift under Article 5, a transfer of ownership registration by a judicial scrivener is also required.

On the other hand, since Article 4 is a procedure for the owner to convert the land themselves, there is usually no transfer of ownership registration.

From before permission to subsequent procedures

Procedures related to farmland vary in required documents and processes depending on the content, such as sales, gifts, or conversion.

Furthermore, there may be multiple related procedures, such as contracts, payment of funds, completion reports, registration of change of land category, and registration of transfer of ownership, in addition to the application for permission under the Farmland Act.

Our office handles the entire process, from preliminary consultations regarding farmland and confirmation of necessary documents to permission applications and post-permission completion reports.

If registration of change of land category or registration of transfer of ownership is required, our office can act as a point of contact and proceed with the procedures while requesting assistance from land and house investigators or judicial scriveners.

If you are having trouble with farmland procedures, such as wanting to sell or receive farmland, or wanting to use it as a residence or material storage area, please consult with us.