Allotment Rules & Code of Conduct
Rules for tenants renting plots at the New Denham Allotments
1 General information
1.1 The rules aim to promote the continued enjoyment of the allotments with minimum
inconvenience or nuisance to both tenants and local residents.
1.2 Tenants who keep to the rules will receive renewal of their annual invitation to rent their plot(s).
1.3 Tenants who fail to keep to the rules may be given notice to put matters right or to quit.
2 Management of the Allotments
2.1 Denham Parish Council (DPC) holds the lease to, and are in charge of, the New Denham
Allotments.
2.2 Day-to-day running of the allotments is managed through the Denham Allotment Users
Association (DAUA) which represents the interests of all tenants.
3 Rules
3.1 Each tenant is required to sign their agreement to the rules in order to become or remain a
tenant.
3.2 Rules may be updated and/or replaced on an annual basis if agreed at the Annual General
Meeting or earlier if required by DPC.
3.3 Questions relating to the rules is to be referred to anyone on the DAUA committee. If a question
cannot be dealt with by the DAUA committee it will be passed on to DPC.
4 Eligibility
4.1 Tenancy is by invitation of DPC.
4.2 In consultation with the DAUA committee, DPC may impose terms on an annual rental invitation
or withhold it entirely.
4.3 To remain eligible for renewal of invitation tenants' plots must be cultivated and show active
management.
4.4 Only those who are confirmed tenants may use a plot.
4.5 Residents on the Electoral register for Denham will have first priority for invitation to take on a
plot; applications from others will be considered as second priority.
4.6 In all respects tenants are to be treated equally. By example, those who are shown on the
Electoral Register in Denham, those living on boats, in vans, in temporary accommodation or
remotely.
5 Rental
5.1 Tenants are responsible for paying their rent direct to the Council.
5.2 Plots are let on a yearly basis when tenants sign their agreement to the rules and thereafter pay
the annual rent in full.
5.3 If a tenancy ceases part way through a year then any rent paid for that year is not refunded.
6 Deposit
6.1 Any new tenant will be required to pay a refundable deposit of £25.
6.2 The deposit will only be re-funded if the plot is left in a fair and reasonable condition; both tidy
and appropriate to be let to a new tenant.
6.3 Existing tenants in place on or before 1st December 2018 do not need to pay any deposit.
7 Health and Safety
7.1 Children are encouraged to garden, but please keep them on your allocated plot for their own
safety and consideration to others.
7.2 Dogs must be kept under control at all times and not allowed to roam freely onto other plots
without the other plot holder's permission.
7.3 Any dog fouling, on or off the plot, must be collected by the owner and disposed of off-site.
7.4 No waste should be brought in from outside and left in the allotment area.
7.5 No person is permitted to carry weapons.
7.6 Plot holders may only use legally approved and environmentally-friendly poison or traps to
control vermin.
7.7 Any fires lit by tenants are to be conducted solely on their own plot(s). They must be controlled
and supervised by the tenant at all times.
7.8 A fire must not inconvenience annoy or endanger others or their property.
7.9 Only organic items may be burned.
8 Structures and sheds
8.1 Any structures, such as greenhouses poly tunnels and sheds, must be in good repair and are the
responsibility of the tenant.
8.2 If a structure becomes dangerous or unsafe the tenant must remove or repair it.
8.3 Only structures normally expected on an allotment will be permitted.
8.4 Unless used for keeping poultry, allotments shall not be fenced.
9 Tenancy
9.1 Tenants are responsible for the upkeep of their own plot(s).
9.2 No one person may hold full tenancy of more than four plots at any one time.
9.3 Joint tenancy of plots is allowed and tenancy may freely pass from one registered joint tenant to
another without interruption.
9.4 Joint tenants will have the same limit of number of plots per person.
9.5 Holding a plot in someone else's name is not permitted, it must be registered only in your
name(s).
9.6 Applications to change or take on additional plots will be considered by the DAUA committee.
9.7 DPC may withhold renewal of their annual invitation to rent a plot if they consider that the plot
has been improperly maintained. By example, allowing plants/trees to grow unchecked or reducing
weeds a few times a year or otherwise failing to use the plot as intended.
9.8 Exceptions will be considered on a case by case basis by the DAUA committee and referred to
DPC if and when required.
9.9 If instructed by DPC, a tenant who has failed to control obnoxious or invasive weeds must
remove them in accordance with the instruction.
9.10 Under normal circumstances no tenant is allowed on another tenant's plot without permission.
Note: You can give up your plot at any time and make it available to others - please just contact the
DAUA committee or DPC if you wish to do so.
10 Paths and boundaries
10.1 The boundary grass paths between plots are communal and access must not be impeded.
10.2 Adjoining plots held by the same tenant will be clearly defined as individual plots.
10.3 Paths between the plots must be at least two feet wide and maintained by the tenant; for the
avoidance of doubt this means the paths to the left and front of each plot.
10.4 On each plot the number must be displayed at the front left corner and kept clearly visible.
11 Livestock and Bees
11.1 No livestock, such as cattle sheep or horses, may be kept at the allotments.
11.2 Poultry are permitted and must kept in suitable accommodation on the tenant's plot(s) and
receive reasonable welfare.
11.3 Fencing an area that houses poultry or other birds is treated as a requirement for their safety
and avoidance of nuisance to neighbouring tenants.
11.4 Anyone wishing to keep bees must first register their intent with the DAUA committee (so that
a suitable place can be located and agreed upon).
Denham Allotments Users Association (DAUA) Code of Conduct
We believe that all allotment holders have the right to work in an environment that is safe, inclusive and where all of us feel respected, valued and share a sense of belonging.
A code of conduct defines how people must act on a day-to-day basis. It reflects daily activities and operations, our core values and the overall culture of the DAUA.
All members of Denham Allotments are expected to observe the following rules and behaviour.
Members shall:
Work towards the good of both the DAUA and the allotment sites in general, respecting and complying with the Council's Terms & Conditions and its Tenancy Agreement.
Have due regard for the security and well being of others in the allotments; this includes showing respect for other people's plots and possessions;
Conduct activities and communications without discrimination on the grounds of gender, sexual orientation, marital status, nationality, race, ethnic origin, religion, age or disability;
Avoid abusive and inflammatory language, whether in person, by email, or by any other forms of communication, including social media;
Never make physical threats or behave in a manner intended to intimidate or bully another allotment holder or committee member; Aggressive behaviour will not be tolerated and all plot holders will act in a reasonable manner at all times. In addition they will not indulge in activities that could be deemed anti - social.
Avoid conflicts of interest, in particular when carrying out one of the committee or supporting roles for the DAUA;
Be compliant with Denham Parish Council's Code of Practice
If a member of DAUA should know of, or become aware of any breach of this Code of Conduct by another member they are under an obligation to notify the Committee.
Plot holders are held responsible for the actions of friends and / or family who are visiting the allotments.
Work towards the good of both the DAUA and the allotment sites in general, respecting and complying with the Council's Terms & Conditions and its Tenancy Agreement.
Have due regard for the security and well being of others in the allotments; this includes showing respect for other people's plots and possessions;
Conduct activities and communications without discrimination on the grounds of gender, sexual orientation, marital status, nationality, race, ethnic origin, religion, age or disability;
Avoid abusive and inflammatory language, whether in person, by email, or by any other forms of communication, including social media;
Never make physical threats or behave in a manner intended to intimidate or bully another allotment holder or committee member; Aggressive behaviour will not be tolerated and all plot holders will act in a reasonable manner at all times. In addition they will not indulge in activities that could be deemed anti - social.
Avoid conflicts of interest, in particular when carrying out one of the committee or supporting roles for the DAUA;
Be compliant with Denham Parish Council's Code of Practice
If a member of DAUA should know of, or become aware of any breach of this Code of Conduct by another member they are under an obligation to notify the Committee.
Plot holders are held responsible for the actions of friends and / or family who are visiting the allotments.