The survey analyses the performance of the property assets of each participating estate against a benchmark for the 12 months to 5th April 2010. Across the UK 200 estates representing in the order of one million acres participate in the survey. The size of the sample enables the analysis of subsets of data, including individual regions, estate and farm type.

• Estate structure The average estate structure is around 4,500 acres, which includes 48 residential properties and 9,750 sq ft of commercial workspace.
• Estate ownership Institutionally owned estates represent a quarter of estates with the remainder in private ownership. The owner is resident on three quarters of the privately owned estates.
• Ownership objectives Long term retention of the core estate and income generation remain the key objectives for the owners of these rural estates followed by return on capital and then environmental stewardship.

All participants receive an executive summary and detailed report of their results against the average of ‘all estates’. The reports give participants the information they need to identify the current performance of each sector of their business and show how it is performing against similar businesses.

This information enables participating estate owners and managers to highlight the strengths and pinpoint the weaknesses of their business. This analysis is an essential foundation from which a realistic business plan can be built.

Taken from
Estate Benchmarking Survey 2010