Allotment Tenancy Agreement - September 2013
Introduction
This Tenancy Agreement has been written to ensure everyone’s enjoyment of their plot and to conform to the requirements of the Verwood and Three Legged Cross Allotment Holders Association (VAHA) and Verwood Town Council (VTC) lease for the Potterne Park site. This lease states that only residents of Verwood and Three Legged Cross may rent a plot and if you move out of the area your plot must be relinquished. A maximum of one half plot per household; unless spare ones become available.
This document, and the annual allotment rent, will be reviewed annually by the VAHA committee.
Rent
At the start of the tenancy the plot holder will be required to pay a deposit of £50 per plot. Please see point 2d. Annual rental for a half size plot is £70 and for a quarter size £37.
The annual, non-refundable, rent will be due, in advance, on the (date tbc) each year and this will cover the use of the plot, NSALG group insurance, and membership of the association
Agreement between VAHA and the plot holder
1a The allotment garden is to be used as an Allotment and for no other purpose.
1b The allotment must be kept fertile, clean and with a minimum of two thirds under cultivation.
1c No part may be sub-let or assigned to another person
1d All buildings or structures must have the approval of VAHA committee. Sheds must comply with VTC contract stipulations: height max 6ft 6 inches; base 6ft X 4ft max size; Forest Green in colour (painted after construction); no floor; temporary, wooden structure able to be dismantled in less than one hour; apex roof; rain harvesting facility; well maintained and standardized design
1e All paths on the tenants’ plot must be kept free from weeds and any other rubbish and must not obstruct or encroach upon any path used by other tenants.
1f Not to cause any nuisance or annoyance to any other tenant.
1g Not to place on the allotment any refuse or decaying matter except reasonable quantities of manure and compost which must be kept within the confines of a tenants plot.
1h Take all reasonable care, when using sprays or fertilizers, not to adversely affect neighbouring plots or boundaries. Store all chemicals in compliance with COPRA (1997) regulations.
1i Not to use hosepipes, keep livestock or use carpets as weed suppressants, or burn any material (no bonfires)
1j Not to use the allotment or any part thereof for the purpose of a trade or business and in particular for the sale of any produce.
Allotment Tenancy Agreement - September 2013 (page 2)
1k Plot holders may not wash vegetables, tools or any object in the water tanks. It is prohibited for any plot holder to allow chemicals such as weed killer, insecticide to contaminate the tanks.
1l Only trained trees and shrubs on a dwarfing root stock are permitted with a maximum height of six feet.
1m Dogs are permitted on the site but must be on a leash at all times and any fouling must be removed.
1n Notify the VAHA secretary of any change of contact details.
1o Consider, at all times, the Health and Safety of yourself and others and be prepared with your own first aid kit
1p Keep all children under supervision, at all times, and off other growers plots
Termination of Tenancy by VAHA if
2a The rent is in arrears for 28 days or more whether legally demanded or not.
2b After three months tenancy, from the start date, the allotment is not clean and in a good condition state of cultivation.
2c The tenant has failed to comply with a written warning to improve the standard of the plot within 28 days. This will result in 14 days notice to vacate the plot. Should the plot be again under cultivation to the satisfaction of the committee within the 28 days, the notice will be withdrawn. However, if the plot is again considered unsatisfactory, within a 12 month period of the original notice, the plot will again be vacated within 14 days. There will be no rent refund.
2d The plot must be vacated in a good condition and the gate key returned. If its not in an acceptable state, the committee will retain an amount of the deposit to cover the cost of getting the plot to a usable condition or for the key to be replaced.
2e The committee takes a serious view regarding stealing of any crops or materials from other people's plots. Any person found guilty of such an offence will suffer immediate termination of tenancy. No compensation or deposit will be paid. This will not preclude prosecution in the Law Courts, should the committee or the offended tenant wish to do so.
2f The tenancy of any allotment shall terminate, unless otherwise agreed in writing, on the next rent day after the death of a tenant.
2g If the VTC terminate the lease with VAHA then the tenancy agreement will also terminate.
Security
The gate must be kept locked AT ALL TIMES. Each member will be issued with a key which must be returned at the end of the tenancy. Lost keys to be replaced, at cost, by plot holder.
Allotment Tenancy Agreement - September 2013 (page 3)
I as the plot holder of plot ……….. agree to observe and comply with all the conditions and covenants contained in the lease or conveyance under which the committee hold the land.
Name………………………………………………………………
Signature……………………………………………………………………. Date……………………….
Signed on behalf of VAHA:
Name………………………………………………………………
Signature……………………………………………………………………. Date……………………….