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Rosendale Allotments Association Ltd
Bye-laws and tenancy terms
GENERAL
- Shares
Each member shall hold at least one share in the Association for
each plot rented.
- Conditions of renting
No member/household may hold more than three plots unless there are
no other applicants waiting. The Committee may take back any plots
held in excess of three and the holder has the right to decide
which plot or plots will be given up. The Committee shall have the
right to make special conditions in regard to any tenancy and every
member shall observe and perform all conditions and covenants in
any lease under which the Association holds the land.
- Payment of rent
Before taking possession every member shall pay rent in advance on
the days and at the time and place appointed by the Committee and
to the Secretary or Treasurer only. The rent shall be paid in half
-yearly instalments by March 25th and September 29th or a fine will
be incurred. If the rent and fine remains unpaid for one month the
plot(s) may be re-let by the Committee unless the reason is
distress and the Committee is notified in advance. In the case of
unpaid rent, goods on the allotment may be taken into the care of
the Association which at a suitable time and after giving the
ex-member warning will sell them and the proceeds go to the
Association.
- Sub-Letting
No tenant shall sub-let their allotment or any part of it to any
other person.
- Re-Ietting of plots
Three months' notice in writing must be given to the Secretary
before a plot is vacated or the tenant will be responsible for the
rent, fines and any expenses incurred until the plot is re-let. No
plot can be transferred without permission from the committee.
- Access to Site
The grounds of the Association are strictly private and only
plotholders and those having permission from the committee are able
to enter. The plotholder will be charged a deposit for a key which
should not be duplicated or passed on to any other member. When the
member leaves the Association the key must be returned and the
deposit refunded. Gates must be locked after entry or exit.
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CULTIVATION
- Appearance and management
Each plot must display it's number clearly. Plots must be kept free
from weeds and properly cultivated, with the grass border trimmed.
There must be no accumulation of rubbish i.e. glass, plastic, or
metal items on the plot. All rubbish should be taken home by the
plotholder. Fruit trees and bushes should be planted so that they
do not overhang the paths, or the Committee may be forced to trim
them back. Any open supports placed to grow beans, vine fruits etc.
must be set in from the path at least 30 cm. (1 foot).
- Trespass
No tenant shall make any encroachment or trespass on another's
allotment without authority.
- Paths
Paths and roads must be kept clear of obstruction. The main paths
should be a minimum of 1.2 metres (4 feet) wide and the smaller
paths must be a minimum of 60 cm (2 feet) wide. The grass on
inter-plot paths should be regularly trimmed and the edges kept
neat. No weed-killer is permitted on these paths nor should the top
growth be removed down to the roots with sharp tools leaving the
path bare. The pathways must not be used for burning rubbish.
- Fences
No fences or hedges are allowed on the allotments, which should
maintain an overall open appearance. However, windbreaks are
permitted, provided that they are no taller than 90 cm (3 feet),
and are placed in such a way so as not to give the plot a fenced-in
appearance. All materials used for windbreaks should be tidy and as
inoffensive to the eye as possible. Where a plot borders a boundary
fence, the plotholder should leave a strip of land 60 cm (2 feet)
free from weeds and rubbish but uncultivated next to the
fence.
- Trees and boundaries
Members should not cut or destroy any trees, or block, mar or
encroach on any path, ditch or any open space provided for general
use; neither should they damage sheds, fences, gates, locks or
other property of the Association.
- Sheds
No member shall build any building or other structure, nor alter
any existing structure, without written permission from the
committee. Boxes for storing tools may be built without permission,
provided they are not higher than 75 cm (2 feet 6 inches). All such
structures must be painted dark green, and set in from the path at
least 25 cm (9 inches).
- Water
No member shall interfere with the water supply, tanks or taps. Use
of hosepipes is prohibited.
- Responsibilities, complaints and disputes
No member should take any produce from, nor cause any damage,
nuisance or annoyance to the occupier of any other plot or to any
local resident, nor should they obstruct the paths of other users.
If any damage is caused to the crop or the allotment itself then
the Committee may ask the offender to make a payment determined by
them.
Children of members may accompany their parents only if they remain
on or very near to their parents' allotment, and do not stray into
other plots. The Society accepts no responsibility for any harm
which occurs to any child on the site; parents are expected to be
vigilant on their children's behalf. Any visitors a member may have
invited to the allotments are subject to the same rules as the
member. Whilst bonfires are permitted between the months of
November to March members are asked to keep them to a minimum, or
if possible to avoid them altogether. Any fire which is causing, or
likely to cause, any nuisance to both residents or plotholders must
be extinguished immediately. Burning any rubber or plastic is
prohibited. Lambeth council encourages people to be environmentally
responsible whenever possible, so members should take their rubbish
home.
The use of strimmers or other noisy machinery is not permitted
before 9 am or after 7 pm
No livestock or bees may be kept on the allotment. No dogs are
allowed on the allotments at any time.
- Complaints
All complaints and disputes shall be settled by the Committee and
they are empowered to take such steps as may be necessary .Their
decision is final. If the plotholder does not comply with the
Committee's requests or directions the Committee may, at the cost
of the member, have any necessary work done or terminate the
membership.
- Stores
Any goods ordered through the Association must be paid for in
advance and cleared as soon as possible after delivery to the
stores.
- Change of address
Any member changing his/her address shall notify the Secretary at
once in writing.
- TERMINATION OF TENANCY
The Association shall have the right to re-enter and take
possession of the allotment of any member whose rent is in arrears,
who does not keep their allotment cultivated to the satisfaction of
the committee, or on the breaking of these bye-laws or of the
members' agreement with the Association and to re-let the
allotment. All rent arrears, fines and expenses incurred in
re-Ietting and conditioning abandoned or fortified plots shall be
recoverable from the defaulting member.
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