Mickleover Old Allotment Association (MOAA) Rules
Updated 23.10.2025.
Please note:
The MOAA committee manages these allotments on behalf of Derby City Council who own the site. The rules for plot holders set down below are required to ensure that the site is managed in accordance with the lease and with the laws of the land.
The site is managed by the MOAA on a first served basis without prejudicial treatment. The race, gender, cultural background, sexual orientation, health or disability of plot holders is not a barrier to renting a plot.
Rules
Rent.
An annual rent will be payable to the secretary of the MOAA by the 31st of January each year. Plot holders will be advised of the amount due in December.
The annual rent will include a fee of £3.50 covering the plot holder’s membership of the National Society of Allotment and leisure gardeners NSALG (this fee may increase annually in line with NSALG price increases). All plot holders must belong to the NSALG which is a UK non-profit organisation aiming to minimise the loss of gardens for individual use. Website www.nsalg.org.uk
There will be an initial joining fee for new tenants of £3.00 (this fee may increase from the date of the publication of these rules).
The rent will be set by the committee of the MOAA and will cover the costs laid down in the lease. This may increase annually to cover costs and notification will normally be given during the AGM. New plot holders joining during the year (April to March) will pay a proportion of the annual rent + a full deposit proportional to the size of their intended plot.
If a plot holder does not pay the rent by the 31st of January, it will be assumed that the plot is no longer required and you will be served notice to quit.
For new tenants, a deposit is required when taking on a plot and (should you wish to leave) is only refundable if the plot is left in a condition that is considered acceptable by the committee. The committee’s decision on this will be final.
Plot Condition and Notice of Problems.
Plot holders must keep their plots clean, tidy, free from weeds and maintained in a good state of cultivation. Derby City Council insist that 80% of your plot is cultivated. You must also keep shared pathways and access routes adjacent to your plot in good condition.
Please note that the committee will continually monitor the condition of all plots on a monthly basis and may at any time gain full access to your plot for inspection without your permission. Pictures may be taken by the committee on occasion.
Should either the condition of your plot, your behaviour or none-adherence to these Rules/Conditions fall below the expectations of the committee, you will receive a written warning by email, text or post. You will be permitted three warnings in total before being asked to leave with your deposit being non-refundable on the grounds of a breach of these conditions. The 3rd warning will be final. Warnings will be held on file and the decision of the committee is final.
The committee reserves the right to give immediate notice for you to quit if a plot is neglected or no substantial improvement is made within 1 month of the previous warning.
Fires
You may only have fires between 31st September and 1st April after 4pm. Before lighting any fire, you must assess the risk and have made adequate precautions to prevent the fire spreading prior to lighting it.
Please make sure that you take notice of the wind direction etc so that other plot holders or our neighbours next to site are not inconvenienced by smoke or smell. In dry conditions, you must ensure that any fire is kept under control and have adequate measures in place to ensure that the fire will not spread prior to lighting it. Only rubbish generated on your allotment may be burnt – you must not bring waste from home or elsewhere to burn on it.
Livestock
No livestock of any type can be kept on this site. Bees may not be kept on your plot.
Identification
It is the plot holder’s responsibility to ensure that their plot is identified with a number marker.
Vehicle Access and Parking
Vehicles should enter the site via access between houses 64 and 66 Vicarage Road (adjacent to the parking area). You must not access or leave the site via the private road between the back of the houses and the allotment site. However, pedestrian access on this road is permitted.
Plot holders must park their vehicles within the car park and not on the grass paths. If your parked car is blocking access to the site, please display your plot number clearly in your windscreen, so that you can be found if necessary. If the car park is full, you should find alternative parking at the community centre and not on Vicarage Road. Parking in the car park is only permitted for the duration of your time spent on your plot and is not permitted at any other time.
Access to plots by vehicle for unloading must only be undertaken when the ground is suitably dry and firm. Damage to any grass driveway by vehicles in unsuitable conditions must be rectified at a cost to you.
Any delivery such as manure or compost etc must first be notified and approved by the committee.
Tenants are required to close the car park gate when leaving the site - “last one out” and ensure that the gate is closed whenever possible to prevent public access.
Please be aware of the school access restrictions on Vicarage Road. Vehicles are restricted between 8.30 - 9.00am and 3.00 - 3.30pm. You will be fined if you pass through this restriction during these times.
Storage of Materials
Only materials for use on the plot may be stored - e.g. bean poles, cloches, pots and netting for seasonal use. You must not (under any circumstances) store items on your plot that are not required for cultivation.
Rubbish and Recycling
Rubbish from external sources must not be deposited or burnt on your plot or any other part of the site. Items that are suitable for upcycling by others may be left adjacent to the summer house and must be advertised on the MOAA WhatsApp group. If they are not accepted by another plot holder within 1 month, they must be removed and disposed of elsewhere by you.
Duty of Care (including chemicals, fuel and hazardous materials)
Plot holders have a duty of care to everyone, including visitors, neighbours, trespassers and themselves. Particular care should be taken when using strimmer’s, rotovators and other mechanical/powered equipment. Care should be taken to avoid creating hazards or shade to others by the construction of features or planting of trees on the allotment, or the storage and usage of tools, chemicals, fuels and hazardous materials. For your own safety and the safety of others, you must wear appropriate safety equipment such as glove and safety glasses etc.
You must ensure that adequate safety measures are maintained in respect of the allotment or site and that any work carried out on your plot indemnifies the MOAA against all claims, charges, costs and expenses arising in connection with or incidental to the allotment or site and the carrying out of such work.
The use of weed killers and similar chemicals are permitted. However, should the effects of these cause harm or damage to yourself or others, it is your responsibility and the MOAA will accept no responsibility.
The MOAA shall not be liable to the tenant or any visitor for personal injury, damage or loss of any kind unless caused by the MOAA.
The MOAA committee will not be held responsible for any loss, damage or injury caused to or by property or equipment left on site and you will not be entitled to any compensation as a result.
Unauthorised Persons
Only the plot holder or a person authorised or accompanied by the plot holder is allowed on site.
Notice to quit the site
Should you wish to quit your plot, a period of 3 month’s notice must be given to the committee in writing by letter or email.
During the main growing period from March to October, every effort should be made to fully cultivate the plot. If through any reason, you find it impossible to maintain your plot, it is your responsibility as a plot holder to advise the committee of this - Please note that it is not the responsibility of the committee to contact the plot holder.
Should you wish to leave the site, then it is your responsibility to remove all tools, rubbish and equipment etc from your plot within 2 weeks of notification.
If the plot holder cannot manage their plot and has informed the secretary of this, then one of the following will apply:
1. The plot holder will be given time to resume working on their plot (for example after a period of sickness).
2. The committee may agree to reduce the size of the plot if your plot cannot be managed.
3. The committee may agree with the plot holder that it is in their best interest to quit the plot, and if so the MOAA will repay any outstanding rent.
Prevention of Nuisance and Annoyance
Dogs are not allowed onto the allotments unless on a lead and under strict control. Children are welcomed onto the site but please ensure that they do not cause a nuisance to other plot holders. The presence of your children or visitors on site is entirely your responsibility and you are entirely responsible for their safety and welfare.
Fireworks are not allowed to be set off on the site. Radio’s etc should be used at low volume.
Every effort should be made to prevent the spread of weeds and their seeds to neighbouring plots.
Any dispute between yourself and any other allotment holder within the site must be referred to the MOAA committee whose decision shall be final.
The MOAA reserves the right to refuse admittance of any person unless accompanied by a tenant.
You must observe notices on the site that may require additional conditions that are not included in this document. Notice boards may be found at the main carpark and within the summer house.
Boundaries
The boundary of your allotment must remain and may under no circumstances be moved or expanded.
Should your plot be bordered by a hedge, it is your responsibility to maintain it. The council may trim hedges periodically and have full access to your plot in order to do so. They may not remove the waste from doing so and it is your responsibility to dispose of this.
You must not plant a hedge or build a fence to act as a border without the consent of the committee.
Prohibition of Sub-letting
Your plot must not be sub-let or transferred to any other person without the permission of the committee.
Water
You may use water provided from taps situated along the main pathways.
Please note that the water supply is provided as part of your annual rent. However, it must be used sensibly.
You may use a hosepipe to irrigate your plot although there may be circumstances that will prevent this such as a local or national hosepipe ban where watering cans etc must be used instead. You will be notified via the group App and/or Email if this is the case.
The committee may (under exceptional circumstances) decide that hosepipes should not be used due to excessive water consumption related to cost. Their decision will be final. It is recognised that in these circumstances, some plot holders may be physically unable to use watering cans due to health restrictions. You must notify the committee should this be the case.
Sprinklers are not permitted on this site.
Please note that the water supply may be turned off during the Winter months to prevent freezing.
Use of Barbed Wire
Barbed wire cannot be used anywhere on the site.
Observance of the conditions of the lease
The committee will ensure that the conditions of the lease are met and will advise plot holders if these are breached. Future Amendments/Changes may be made to these conditions by agreement of the committee. You will be notified should this be the case and will be required to acknowledge them. The conditions of this agreement (dated 23rd October 2025) override all conditions previously written and accepted.
Prohibition of trade or business
No business can be run on the site and produce can only be grown for plot holder or family consumption. The sale of produce from any plot is not allowed.
Erection of buildings
Buildings, sheds, greenhouses or similar are not allowed on the site. Plot holders can however have a tool store of no higher than 1.28m (4ft).
You are permitted to build fruit cages and install compost bins provided that the size is not excessive.
Property
You must not remove or borrow any item from any plot or building without express permission from the plot owner or a member of the committee.
There have been few instances of theft from the site however, it is advisable not to leave anything of value on your plot. In the event that your tools or property are stolen or damaged, the MOAA accepts no responsibility.
Ponds/water features
A small pond/water feature is permitted on your plot providing that it is no more than 1 metre in diameter and no more than 30 cm deep. It must also be made safe for animals and children.
Breach of Rules
Should a serious breach of these rules or serious misconduct takes place, then the committee will consider the violation and may take the decision to give you immediate notice to quit. The committee's decision shall be final. This decision will not require the three warnings previously mentioned and your deposit will not be refunded.
Disbanding of the Association
In the event of the association being disbanded, all monies will be shared among the registered members after all assets are accrued and all expenses are met.
Personal Data
The committee will hold personal data such as your name, your address, mobile number and Email address solely for the purpose of contacting you and will not forward your details to any 3rd party for any purpose. Your details will be erased should you decide to leave or are dismissed through breech of these rules.
Change of Address
Please inform the secretary in writing of any change of your contact details, address or status.
Committee members contact details can be found on the main notice board.
Contact Email: mickleover.old.allotments@gmail.com
Website: https://sites.google.com/view/moallotments/home
Facebook: Mickleover Old Allotments
Should you wish to join our WhatsApp group, please contact a member of the committee.
There is a great deal of work that is done “behind the scenes” and we very much welcome the help of volunteers. This may be grass cutting or small communal projects within our site. If you have the time, then please forward your details to a member of the committee. Your assistance would be greatly appreciated.
Acknowledgement slip (Please sign this page and return within 7 days. You may keep all other pages for reference).
I acknowledge receipt, have read carefully and fully agree with the requirements of these MOAA rules and conditions dated 23.10.2025 – 8 pages (including this page).
Name
Address
Phone number
Email address
Plot number
Signed ……………………………………………………………………. Date ……………………………………
Signed on behalf of the committee
Name …………………………………………………………
Signed ………………………………………………………… Chairperson/Committee member MOAA.
Date …………………………………………….
Please note that the committee will hold your personal details solely for the purpose of contacting you and will not use them for any other purpose.
I would like to join the MOAA WhatsApp chat group to keep up to date with the allotment community.
Please circle where appropriate. Yes please. No thanks. I’m already on there.