Written by Gurjit Ghai, REALTOR®
Rexara Realty Inc.·Published: August 25, 2026·Selling Farmland
An existing crop or a lease on the farmland affects the sale because it is an interest in the land that a buyer inherits or that has to be resolved before closing, and it can change both the price and the timing. A standing crop, a grazing lease, or a share-cropping arrangement each create rights that do not simply vanish on the sale date.
The options are usually to have the seller harvest the crop before closing, to transfer the lease to the buyer on agreed terms, or to prorate the value of a standing crop in the purchase price. A lease that runs past the closing date may need to be assigned or terminated under its own terms, and a buyer who wants vacant possession needs that resolved before subjects are removed.
I help sellers surface every lease, licence, and cropping arrangement early, because a surprise lease at closing can delay or kill a deal. Read our Selling a Farm guide for the framework, and get legal advice on how each arrangement transfers with the specific property before you list.
Important: This answer is general professional guidance for educational purposes and is not legal, tax, financial or regulatory advice. ALR rules, water licensing, zoning and farm-classification requirements can change and depend on your specific property. Always verify with the relevant BC authorities and qualified professionals before making decisions.
Gurjit Ghai, REALTOR®
Personal Real Estate Corporation
Brokerage: Rexara Realty Inc.
Gurjit Ghai is a BC real estate professional specializing in agricultural land, ALR properties, and farm operations across British Columbia. He helps buyers and sellers navigate water rights, soil capability, farm classification, and the unique due diligence that farmland transactions require.