Change in Land Quality Rating

The land quality rating is a numerical assessment of the natural characteristics of soil that indicates the production capacity of agricultural or forest land. It is recorded in the real estate cadastre as a land quality rating score for each parcel, ranging from 0 to 100.

A change in land quality rating is a surveying service used to update a parcel’s land quality rating in the real estate cadastre when the actual agricultural or forest use or the quality of the soil has changed significantly.

When is a change in land quality rating needed?

A change in land quality rating is needed when:

• the actual use of agricultural or forest land has changed
• land improvement measures have been carried out that have improved soil quality
• soil degradation has occurred, for example due to erosion, contamination or filling
• a parcel has been developed and its land quality rating needs to be reduced to 0
• the land quality rating recorded in the real estate cadastre does not correspond to the actual situation on the ground

Why record a change in land quality rating?

A change in land quality rating should be recorded because:

• the rating directly affects the value of agricultural land and the amount of agricultural subsidies
• an incorrect rating may result in incorrect property taxation
• an accurate rating is a requirement for obtaining certain permits and approvals
• up-to-date land quality rating data ensures the reliability of the real estate cadastre