Allotment rules
Rules and guidance when renting an allotment in Southampton
Everything you need to know when renting an allotment from Southampton City Council (SCC).
The Allotment Acts 1908 – 1950 and your Tenancy Agreement give the terms and conditions of your allotment tenancy. The sites are owned by SCC and as such they require certain standards of behaviour, in line with the Tenancy Agreement and the Allotments Act, to ensure that their property is maintained correctly, good practice is maintained and to ensure that neighbours and other plot holders are not inconvenienced.
Under section (xx) of your tenancy agreement the council has the ability to enforce additional rules which fall outside of the agreement itself. These rules have been developed over the years in consultation with allotment holders and try to strike a balance between allowing people freedom to work their plot whilst ensuring they do not infringe on other allotment holders.
Therefore the following is a list of rules which SCC expect its allotment holders to comply with. Reports of none compliance will be investigated and assessed on a case by case basis. In some cases the offence can lead to immediate termination of the agreement and in others it may be a warning. If two warnings are issued, then on the third we will terminate the agreement.
If you break any of the following seven rules it will lead to immediate termination of your agreement.
Updated November 2021
| Rule Number | Rule | Action Taken |
|---|---|---|
| T1 | You MUST pay your allotment rent within 30 days of receiving your invoice. | Immediate Termination of Agreement |
| T2 | You are not allowed to remove anything from a vacant plot, including sheds, greenhouses, plants, crops, etc unless given permission by the Site Rep or Allotment Officer (the Council will not accept permission verbal or written from the previous plot holder). When a plot is given up the plot and all items on it reverts to the ownership of the Council. | Immediate Termination of Agreement |
| T3 | You must not use any abusive or threatening behaviour on site, or social media, be it physical or verbal. | Immediate Termination of Agreement |
| T4 | You must not fly tip any materials, arisings or rubbish from your allotment plot, or from off site, anywhere else on the allotment site, this includes onto vacant plots, footpaths, roads and ditches. (N.B. You will be informed if there are specific areas you can tip waste, please contact your site rep). | Immediate Termination of Agreement, possible prosecution |
| T5 | You must not take any one else’s produce or property from their plot without their permission. | Immediate Termination of Agreement, possible prosecution |
| T6 | You are not permitted to carry or use a firearm at any time on site, without prior written permission from Southampton City Council. | Immediate Termination of Agreement, possible prosecution |
| T7 | The use of snares is strictly forbidden for catching wildlife using the site. | Immediate Termination of Agreement, possible prosecution |
The following rules will usually result in a warning if they are broken.
Each case will be investigated on its merits; the types of evidence we look at include (but are not restricted to) written evidence submitted, witness statements, complaints received, physical evidence on site, police statements, recorded interviews, photographs etc. Any complaints of witness statements can only be accepted in writing signed by the plot holder making the allegations.
We cannot accept third party or anonymous statements or allegations. If you have any worries or concerns over other people's actions or conduct then please do call us or come in for a chat.
In the case of non-cultivation there is only one warning given. If your plot is not brought up to an acceptable condition within the time frame set out in the warning, then we will serve a repossession for which there is no appeal.
If you do bring your plot up to an acceptable standard but then let it fall into non-cultivation again, we will serve another warning, however we will only do this three times in a three-year period before repossessing the plot.
Although all of the below carry a warning there may be cases where they are extreme enough for us to go straight to an immediate termination. You will be kept informed of any decision we make and the reasons for it.
| Rule Number | Rule | Action Taken |
|---|---|---|
| W1 | You must cultivate at least 50% of your plot (by this we mean preparing the ground, planting, growing and harvesting crops/flowers) and the remainder must be cut down and free from weeds (the area must look maintained). From the start of your tenancy agreement you have a two-month period in which enforcement for non-cultivation is not applicable. | One warning only (letter of non-cultivation). |
| W2 | You must not cause a nuisance to other plot holders or neighbouring properties - nuisance could include bad or racist language, getting drunk, playing loud music, bonfires, inappropriate posts on social media etc. | Warning |
| W3 | You must erect a clearly visible number on your plot. | Warning |
| W4 | You and any helpers must always ensure you lock the gates when entering and leaving the site. Combination locks must be scrambled and the code must not be given out, but regular named helpers and visitors only can be given the code. | One warning only for locking gates and scrambling code locks – Termination of Agreement for second offence. If code is given out, termination of agreement. |
| W5 | Please use water sparingly, you can use a hand-held hosepipe to water your crops or fill up a water butt. Please note that at certain times there may be restrictions. You may ask permission of the Allotment Officer to use an irrigation/sprinkler system to water crops. This is subject to an additional annual fee of £25 to be invoiced with your rent. All hoses and sprinklers etc must be turned off before leaving the site. |
If plot holders are found to be using a sprinkler/irrigation system and do not have permission, they will be invoiced for £35 (£25 + £10 admin fee). Failure to pay will result in termination of agreement. Leaving tap on when not on site - warning for first offence, immediate termination for second. |
| W6 | You must get permission from the Allotment Officer if you wish to erect sheds, greenhouses, poly tunnels etc. | Warning – asked to remove the item at own cost or charged for removal by council |
| W7 | No new applications to keep livestock will be allowed from 1 November, 2018. Existing livestock kept on allotments prior to 1 November, 2018, will be allowed to remain subject to complying with the terms and conditions that you have already agreed. (Note - maximum number of chickens allowed is 10 and no cockerels) |
In cases of neglect to chickens or ducks, one warning only. For second offence or serious cases, immediate confiscation of livestock and permanent ban on keeping livestock. One warning for more than 10 chickens and subsequent livestock ban if ignored |
| W8 | You can bring your dog on site as long as it's kept strictly under control at all times and only kept on your plot. Please make sure that you clear up any mess left by your dog and dispose of off site. All sites have Dog Control orders making it illegal to leave dog fouling or to take your dog off of a lead on allotment sites, and these will be enforced if strict control of dogs is not adhered to. | Warning |
| W9 | You are not allowed to go onto other plots unless you have been given permission to do so by the plot holder or Allotment Officer. If you have children on-site they should be supervised at all times and should not be allowed to stray onto other plots. | Warning |
| W10 | You are not allowed to sublet your plot. By subletting we mean if a plot is wholly being worked by someone different than the named plot holder. The named plot holder must be present on site at least 50% of the time. | Warning |
| W11 | You must not exceed the five mile speed limit | One warning only – Termination of Agreement for second offence. |
| W12 | You are not permitted to plant any trees other than fruit trees on your plot. | Warning – Asked to remove any trees at own cost or charged for removal by the council. |
| W13 | You are not allowed to use your plot for any trade or business. | Warning |
| W14 | You are not allowed to use carpets on allotment plots. | Warning - Asked to remove carpets at own cost or charged for removal by the council |
| W15 | You are not allowed to bring in or use tyres on site. | Warning – Asked to remove tyres at own cost or charged for removal by the council |
| W16 | You must not bring in items to burn or store rubbish on site. | Warning - Asked to remove rubbish at own cost or charged for its removal by the council |
| W17 | You are not allowed to dig up or obstruct paths between plots. | Warning - Asked to reinstate the path at own cost or charged for the reinstatement by the council |
| W18 | You are not allowed to give your key or code to other people or allow them to visit your plot unsupervised unless they are registered as a helper/regular visitor. | Key – Warning. If code is given out termination of agreement. |
| W19 | Using concrete on plots for bases, securing posts etc will be discouraged but in some cases it may be considered an improvement. Therefore prior approval must be sought for using concrete on plots. If permission is not requested and the use of concrete is not considered as acceptable, a warning will be issued. | Warning – asked to remove the base/concrete at your own cost or charged for removal by the council |
| W20 | Bonfires are now banned on all allotment sites from 1 March to 30 September each year. In the months permitted you are not allowed to have bonfires that cause a nuisance, or leave fires unattended. Only burn dry material on suitable days, preferably in an incinerator, to contain the fire. | Warning |
| W21 | The tenancy agreement can only be held in one name but plot holders sometimes share a plot with family and friends. In these cases the named plot holder must be present on site at least 50% of the time and you will need to make sure that the Allotment Officer has the contact details of whoever is sharing. There is maximum of four named helpers. The person sharing must be a Southampton resident or live within a one-mile radius. Helpers are co-responsible for the condition of the plot. | If a person is found on your plot who is not a named helper, your plot may be repossessed. If a plot is repossessed for non-cultivation, the named helper will not be allowed to take on a plot. |
| W22 | As of 1 November 2019 no play equipment is allowed on plots. This includes Paddling Pools, Trampolines, Slides, Swings, Climbing Frames, Wendy Houses and Sand Pits. | Failure to comply by removing all play equipment will result in a warning allowing a further two weeks to remove this, followed by termination of agreement if still not removed. |
| W23 | Children are not allowed to cycle around the allotment sites. Bikes can be ridden to and from the plot only. | Warning |
| W24 | All bird feeders must be positioned in the centre of your plot. | Warning |
Allotments are often busy places with many allotment holders all sharing the site and working in close proximity with each other.
People differ in the way they manage and maintain their allotment plots and this may not be the same as the way you would do it yourself.
We therefore ask that all plot holders have respect for their neighbouring plot holders and tolerate the different approaches to allotment holding that they will see on site.
The following guidance is set out to help make the allotments a better place for everyone and help to keep it in good order, for future users.
| Guidance Number | Guidance |
|---|---|
| G1 | You can plant herbs and flowers as well as fruit and vegetables. |
| G2 | You can have a small lawn area as long as it's regularly mown. |
| G3 | You can build a pond, as long as it's built in a way that's not dangerous to people and animals. For advice contact the Allotment Officer. |
| G4 | Fruit bushes/fruit trees must be compact and of a small growing variety. You must also maintain the area around them. |
| G5 | Paths either side of your plot must be maintained. If unsure which path is yours please ask your site rep. |
| G6 | You are actively encouraged to compost green waste on your plot and one way of doing this would be to have a Compost Bin, however please do not let this encroach onto any paths. |
| G7 | Report damaged fences to the site rep or the Allotment Officer. |
| G8 | Keep an eye out for anybody you don’t know on site and don’t be afraid to ask them what they are doing. |
| G9 | Always inform the Allotment Officer if you change address. |
| G10 | If you vacate your plot or are evicted, all belongings must be removed by the given date. If you vacate your plot during the rent year there is no notice period. However plot holders vacating at the end of the rent year (31 October) must give notice by 1 October , otherwise their plot deposit will not be refunded for insufficient notice. |
| G11 | We do allow bees on some sites, but not usually on people’s plots. Please enquire if you wish to keep bees and we will see if there is anywhere suitable on your site. If we get complaints we will ask for them to be removed again. |
| G12 | You are not allowed to block communal pathways. |
| G13 | Rent discounts apply to plot holders over 60 and Smart City Card holders. |
| G14 | Please only use noisy machinery such as petrol strimmers etc during the following times: Monday to Friday 9am to 7pm, Saturday and Sunday 10am to 7pm |
| G15 | In cases of theft or vandalism this should be reported by plot holders to the Police on 101. Please obtain a crime reference number in order to report any further incidents. |
| G16 | Site Reps are representatives of the Council and must be treated with respect. |
| G17 | There is not a reservation list for individual plots, this will be at the discretion of the allotment officer. |
| G18 | You are allowed to have BBQs and social gatherings on your plot, but this must be limited to plot holders and helpers only. |
| G19 | Plot holders must not inform others that they are able to take on their plot when given up. All plots will be offered in strict waiting list order. Plot holders currently on the waiting list are restricted to one 10 rod plot only. |
| G20 | Smart City Card holders must have a current card, with the get active component, as of 1 November, to receive discount on rent. |
Failure on the part of Council to not enforce any of the rules above cannot be seen as a waiver of that rule and does not in any way remove the Council’s ability to enforce the rule again in the future.
