Welcome to
Sutton community
Allotments
Sutton community allotments has a site representative. Our site representative is your first
point of contact for any questions you may have about how your tenancy is run. They are
also there along with the committee if you have any grievances that may arise during your
tenancy and if you're a novice to gardening give you some pointers on how to grow fresh
produce.
If you do need to contact our site rep at any time please contact them between the hours of
1pm and 5pm and please do not go to their home address. The site rep will give you his
contact details during your introduction day when signing for your plot. And below is the
email address if you wish to contact the committee for any reason.
Email Address
suttoncommunityallotmentssot@gmail.com
All previous versions of the rules and regulations are revoked and replaced by these rules.
Key deposit
1 The key deposit is currently £20 this deposit will be returned to the tenant at the end of the
tenancy.
2 If you lose or break the key you will be charged £20 for a replacement.
3 No duplicate keys are to be cut by the tenant.
4 Passing your key onto a non- allotment tenant to enter Sutton community allotments is a
severe breach of our rules and regulations and may lead to a tenancy termination.
5 Sutton community allotments reserves the right to increase or decrease the value of the
deposit at any time.
Key requirements
1 Must notify sutton community allotments about any address or contact detail changes.
2 Must ensure all minors under the age of 16 are accompanied and supervised at all times
by an adult.
3 No dogs are allowed on sutton community allotments (under the equality act 2010 guide
dogs are exempt from this ruling).
4 Must ensure the gates to sutton community allotments are locked after entering and exiting
the site.
5 Must report any damage or antisocial behaviour to sutton community allotments.
6 Must ensure that the allotment plot is at least 75% cultivated with flowers/vegetables/fruit.
7 Must maintain any boundary that is surrounding your allotment plot including any hedges,
fences or trees etc.
8 must give a minimum of 3 months to sutton community allotments prior to ending your
tenancy.
9 must permit the allotments manager or a committee member entry to your allotment upon
request.
Must not
1 must not consume or sell illegal substances on the site.
2 must not cause a nuisance or annoyance to any tenant or neighbouring resident.
3 must not use the site for any immoral or illegal purposes.
4 must not bring on or use any weapons on site e.g.(air rifles).
5 must not allow any part of the allotment to become overgrown at any time.
6 must not use any hazardous materials on site barbed wire/razor wire/asbestos etc.
7 must keep all allotment pathways clear at all times (strictly no vehicles to be driven on any
pathways).
8 must not bring any household rubbish onto Sutton community allotments.
9 must not light fires during the summer months between the 1st April - 30th September
unless authorisation has been granted by Sutton community allotments.
10 must not enter the site after sunset.
11 must not consume or be under the influence of alcohol or drugs on Sutton community
allotments.
12 must not enter any other allotment plot other than that in which you are the tenant of
unless given authorisation to do so.
13 vehicles are not permitted to park on Sutton community allotments.(vehicles may
however be able to enter the site for the purpose of picking or dropping off heavy or larger
items. Under the equality act of 2010 disabled parking will be permitted in the loading and
unloading area.
Must gain written authorisation
1 must gain written authorisation prior to erecting any structures (strictly no solid fencing is to
be erected around an allotment plot).
2 must gain written authorisation to plant any fruit trees (strictly no hedges are to be planted
on your allotment plot).
3 must gain written authorisation to install any garden ponds (all ponds must be covered with
some type of meshing).
4 must gain written authorisation to install any CCTV/wildlife trail cameras.
5 must gain written authorisation to use or hire any heavy plant machinery on site.
6 must obtain written authorisation to keep chickens/bees (you will have to register all
chickens kept on site with animal and plant health agency and if keeping bees have public
liability insurance.
7 must obtain authorisation to erect any notice or advertisement on site.
Tenancy
1 All new tenancies will begin with a 6 month probationary period.
2 All tenants must complete and sign a tenancy agreement each tenancy agreement will be
in the name of one person,referred to as the principal tenant. Groups or organisations must
submit a tenancy application for approval by sutton community allotments such tenancies
will be in the name of one person also known as the principal tenant.
3 the principal tenant shall be the sole person responsible for the management and upkeep
of the allotment plot including rent payments.
4 joint shared tenancies are not permitted however the principle tenant may submit a request
to sutton community allotments to assign a co-worker to the allotment plot
5 tenancies run by Sutton community allotments are run by our waiting lists or by the local
council asking if we have any vacancies available. Where the plot falls vacant because of
the tenant's death the allotment plot may be offered to the co-worker with the permission of
Sutton community allotments but there is no automatic right of succession.
6 the tenancy runs from the 1st of April and ends 31st march.
7 The tenancy agreement of an allotment plot is personal to the tenant and the tenant may
not assign sublet or part with possession of all or part of their allotment plot.
8 each tenant will only be permitted to have the maximum of two allotment plots depending
on availability.
Cultivation and use of your allotment
1 Tenants must use their allotment plot for their own personal use and must not carry out any
business or sell produce from their allotment.(site run plant and vegetable sales for
fundraising events are permitted with the approval of our land owner stoke on trent city
council.
2 Tenants are not permitted to use any kind of weed,ground suppressant of any material on
any part of their allotment plot.
3 Allotment plots must be kept clean free from weeds,well maintained and kept in a good
state of cultivation (minimum of 75%) and fertile
4 At the end of a tenancy if the allotment is left in a poor state of cultivation or requires the
removal of materials,property or rubbish, the tenant may be required to reimburse sutton
community allotments for reasonable costs of works carried out.
5 Tenants must maintain and keep clear all pathways by the side of their allotment plots(this
does not include the main pathways as sutton community allotments will maintain them.
6 Tenants are not to cause damage to other property or crops,nor to the infrastructure of the
site e.g.roadways, paths,fences,gates etc.
7 If a tenant suspects an invasive plant such as japanese knotweed,bamboo etc please do
not attempt to remove it. You must report this to the allotments manager or a committee
member straight away.
8 Tools and other personal equipment are the tenants responsibility. Sutton community
allotments will not be responsible for the theft and breakages of any such equipment.
Tenants must insure
1 No toxic or hazardous substances or containment waste or tyres should be bought or
stored on site.
2 Any pesticides used must comply with the current legislation regarding their use and
storage.
3 All such materials must be stored in a safe manner (e.g. glass) and must not be allowed to
become a hazard or nuisance to others.
4 Tenants ensure that contact details are updated and they are contactable at all times.
Rent
At the beginning of your tenancy you will be instructed on how and where to pay your annual
allotment plot rent.
1 Rent is payable in full at the commencement of the tenancy and annually on the first week
on April thereafter (unless otherwise stated in the tenancy agreement or by informed by the
committee of sutton community allotments)
2 Rent may be increased at any time provided sutton community allotments take reasonable
steps to give all tenants 6 months notice.
3 Failure to keep up with rent payments will result in your tenancy being terminated.
4 Tenants must be at least national state pension age to qualify for any senior discounts.
5 Applications for senior discounts must be submitted in writing to sutton community
allotments before 1st april (discounts will not be deducted automatically without the written
authorisation).
6 If for any reason you are going to be late paying your annual rent you must notify sutton
community allotments (late payments sutton community allotments will only accept cash or a
bank transfer due to the fact that cheques would have already been deposited.
7 If no notification of late rent is given after a two week period after the rent due date, Sutton
community allotments will terminate the tenancy.
Water
1 Plot holders are encouraged to catch their own water from a shed and greenhouse roofs
2 Sutton community allotments are lucky enough to also be connected to mains water. If you
require extra water throughout the season you can request the water to be switched on
Saturdays and Sundays in between the months of may to September.
3 water payments are due upfront anything up to 1000litres is £5.00 (an ibc holds 1000
litres) anything over 1000 litres is £10.00.
4 Strictly no watering your allotment plot with a hosepipe connected to sutton community
allotments mains water.
5 All tenants must supply their own hosepipe to connect to the mains water stand pipe to fill
their ibc/water barrels.
6 Sutton community allotments reserve the right to switch off our main water supply at any
time.
Non-tenants and children
1 only the principle tenant,assigned co-worker or other authorised person(s) accompanied
by the site (no more than 5 person(s) including the tenant or assigned co-worker to be
permitted an the allotment site at any one time unless prior authorisation is given by sutton
community allotments.
2 the tenant should not permit any assigned co-worker or authorised visitor to enter any
other part of the allotment site or plots unless a shared access point is used or prior
authorisation is given.
3 sutton community allotments may order any persons wrongly allowed onto the site in
breach of these rules to leave immediately.
4 sutton community allotments may take action for breach of their tenancy agreement
against any tenant who sutton community allotments reasonably believes is or was
responsible for allowing an unauthorised person to be on the site.
5 tenants are responsible for their own health and safety and conduct and that of any others
that they invite onto their allotment plot.
Trees
1 No trees are to be planted on any allotment plot without written authorisation from sutton
community allotments.
Sheds buildings and other structures
1 No cement or concrete footings are to be constructed on Sutton community allotments.
2 No building wall structures shall be constructed by the tenant on your allotment plot.
3 All sheds,greenhouses,polytunnels erected must firstly have written authorisation by
Sutton community allotments.
4 The maximum dimensions of a shed is 2.5m x 2.0m.
5 The maximum dimensions of a greenhouse is 9m x 3m.
6 The maximum dimensions of a pollytunnel is 7.5m x 3.0m.
7 all structures erected on the allotment plot must be maintained in a good state of repair
and condition to the satisfaction of Sutton community allotments. If Sutton community
allotments is not satisfied with the state of repair it may order the tenant to remove,repair or
alter the structure.
8 No fixed or temporary play equipment shall be installed on your allotment plot.
Boundaries and footpaths
1 Pathways either side of an allotment plot is an access path and must be maintained and
kept clear by the tenant at all times (if the pathway is grassed it must be kept strimmed short
, neat and tidy).
2 The tenant must not leave any tools or other equipment unattended on common pathways
or roadways or other such areas of the allotment site. Nor in any other way that may cause
an accident or injury and must ensure that such tools and other equipment are used carefully
and with due regard to the safety of others.
3 Tenants who have any existing hedge boundaries are responsible for maintenance and
should ensure they do not exceed any more than 1.5m in height. (no new hedge or boundary
fencing is to be erected on sutton community allotments).
4 No open ditches are to be dug on your allotment plot.
Inspection and Tenant Disputes
1 The allotment plot and any structure on it may be entered into and inspected by the
allotment manager or a member of the committee of sutton community allotments at any
time. If the structure is not accessible reasonable notice will be given to the tenant to grant
access to the manager or committee member. Except in the case of an emergency when no
notice is required,the required access must be given immediately or forced entry shall be
used.
2 No prior notice must be given by sutton community allotments when undergoing a general
site inspection.
Tenants dispute
1 Any unresolved tenant disputes are to be reported to sutton community allotments
manager or committee members for investigation whereby mediation will be offered if
required.
2 The allotments manager/committee members' decision is final and must be observed and
must be adhered to.
3 Any tenant wishing to bring up a complaint must fill out a complaint form. The manager will
get together with committee members and resolve the issue and inform the tenant of the
complaint outcome.(please note we cannot act on a verbal complaint)
Notice Boards and advertising
1 Only notices issued by sutton community allotments or with prior approval from sutton
community allotments may be posted. Tenants may not display any personal or commercial
advertising on notice boards unless approved by sutton community allotments.
Harassment
1 Sutton community allotments are committed to eliminating unlawful or unfair discrimination
and to achieve an environment free from harassment. This extends to the conduct of all
allotment tenants. Any inappropriate conduct will not be tolerated.
2 harassment may be of a specifically racial,sexual,or religious nature, but is generally
accepted to be any unwelcome physical ,verbal or none-verbal conduct. Harassment may be
deemed to have occurred whether it is a single or repeated incident. All tenants must
conduct themselves appropriately at all times.
3 the equality act 2010 shall be complied to at all times.
4 All alleged incidents of harassment must be reported to sutton community allotments for
investigation. All alleged incidents of harassment should be supported with a signed and
dated statement along with any supporting evidence. If there are any known witnesses to an
alleged incident their details should also be provided to sutton community allotments.
Enforcement procedure
1 where a tenant fails to follow the terms of their tenancy agreement or any of the rules
stated in the rules and regulations booklet sutton community allotments will serve the
relevant notice on the tenant to which the tenant must respond within the time limits set out
within this clause.
2 The tenant must must attend their allotment plot at least every 28 days(this is insure your
allotment plot does not get overwhelmed with weeds)
3 If you are unable to attend for some reason every 28 days you must inform sutton
community allotments.
Instant improvement notice
1 This notice will be issued by sutton community allotments
2 The tenant will have to respond and comply with the notice immediately.
3 Failure to comply with this notice will result in a 14 day tenancy termination being served.
14 day improvement notice
1 The notice will be issued by sutton community allotments
2 The tenant will have 14 days starting from the date shown on the notice to respond and
comply with the notice served.
3 Failure to comply will result in a 14 day tenancy termination notice being served.
14 days tenancy termination notice
1 the notice will be served by sutton community allotments if the tenant fails to comply with
any previous notice that has been served. Or if any tenant is found to have grossly breached
their tenancy agreement or the rules. The tenant will have 7 days from the date of the
tenancy termination notice to appeal the decision. Any appeal notice must be in writing and
have any supportive evidence attached with along with it.
Termination of a tenancy
Sutton community allotments may terminate an allotment tenancy in any of the following
ways.
1 If stoke on trent city council requires the land for the purpose other than letting as
allotments or has appropriated them to another purpose.
2 By giving three months written notice to quit if stoke on trent city council requires the
allotment land for building,mining or any other industrial purpose or for roads,sewers or other
necessary works in conjunction with the building,mining or industrial purpose.
3 14 days written tenancy termination notice if rent is in arrears for 20 days or more whether
formally demanded or not.
4 14 days notice if the tenant is in breach of the tenancy or rules and regulation.
5 Tenants may terminate their tenancy agreement by giving sutton community allotments 3
months written notice.
6 If the tenancy ends in either the tenant being evicted or the tenant giving 3 months notice
in writing to end the tenancy no full or part refund of the yearly rent will be reimbursed.
7 Tenants are required to leave the allotment plot in such a condition that applies to the
tenancy agreement. Sutton community allotments may dispose of any building,structure or
other items(s) left by the tenant on the allotment plot after 14 days from the date of the
tenancy termination.
8 sutton community allotments reserve the right to recharge the tenant the cost of any
remediation works required as a result of any deterioration of the allotment plot caused by
failure of the tenant to maintain it in a clean and good state of cultivation and fertility.
Together with the costs associated with the removal of the tenants structures or belongings
as stated under section 4 of the allotments act 1950.
9 On termination of the tenancy, no compensation will be payable by sutton community
allotments in respect of any buildings,structures or personal items. The tenant will be able to
remove or sell the same before quitting the allotment plot. The tenant will not be permitted to
return to the allotment plot or site to remove any buildings or structures after the termination
of the tenancy.
Service of notice
1 Sutton community allotments can severe notice face to face
2 Sutton community allotments can serve notice by letter to your last known address on file.
3 Sutton community allotments can serve notice by pinning a letter to your allotment shed or
greenhouse
4 Sutton community allotments can serve notice by the email you provided us with at the
start of your tenancy.
Chickens
1 Before rushing out and purchasing chickens take time out to do some research on how to
care and look after the needs of a new flock. Ask yourself if I have the time, can I afford the
expense and who will look after them in my absence if a holliday is due.
2 All chickens now have to be registered with the animal and plant health agency. This must
be done within one month of receiving your new flock. And a copy of your registration must
be retained by Sutton community allotments. Registration is easy and can be done via the
stoke gov website.
3 Chickens are a social animal so live within a flock your flock will have a minimum of 3 hens
to a maximum of 6. Strictly No roosters/cookerels are permitted on Sutton community
allotments.
4 Your flock must have 24 hours access to fresh water and feed. Your flock will also require
chicken grit (to grind up feed in their gizzard) and oyster shell so they can produce
strong,hard,eggshells. The calcium in the oyster shell is vital for the flock's health. If you are
keeping any chicken feed on your allotment plot it must be done so where no vermin can
access it. (All feed must be contained within a sealed bin or container). You must attend to
your flock at the very least every other day and then every day during the winter months(this
is due to the cold weather freezing over their water supply)
5 Your flock must have adequate shelter that can keep them dry in the winter and shade
within the summer months.
6 hygiene is a very important part of keeping a flock healthy and free from parasites so
regular cleaning and replenishing nesting box material is a must. Recommended cleaning is
once a week and nesting box maintenance twice a week.
7 Keeping chickens will always attract vermin due to the fact there is a constant supply of
feed and fresh drinking water. It is the tenants responsibility to manage any vermin
infestation. Any vermin control used must be contained within the chicken run and
appropriate vermin feeders used(enclosed rat feeding boxes)strictly no vermin control is to
be used on any other part of your allotment plot without the consent of Sutton community
allotments manager or committee member(s) .
8 As part of the agreement of a tenant keeping chickens sutton community allotments
manager or a member of the committee have the right to inspect any flock at anytime and if
in the opinion of sutton community allotments there is cruelty or neglect the relevant
authorities will be contacted and the tenant involved will have their tenancy terminated.