Allotment rental contract

[rke]

Hi All,

I'd be very grateful for any advice, or if you could point me in the right direction.

I've got a small allotment which I don't use ( it came with a property I purchased as an investment), and I have someone who is quite keen to take it on. I was wondering what's the going rate? Not looking to make a killing on it or anything, frankly I'll be glad for someone to get some enjoyment from it, but obviously I need to protect my interests ( avoid adverse possession etc). Also wondering what sort of agreement/contract/ lease do you enter into, with regard to conditions, rights etc.

Many thanks,

Kim

[ktlawson]

A legal binding contract would probably cost you more in legal fees than you would get back in rent over many years.  There are previous threads on here where plot holders have stated they pay anywhere from £5 - £100.  Depends on where you live and what demand is like for plots I suppose.

[rke]

Thanks for your reply. I've just discovered the ch4 site whilst trawling. I'll give that a try.

Like I said, it's not really a money issue, it's more about protecting my interests.

thanks again.

[Unwashed]

Hi rke,

£5.00/pole is reasonable, less if there isn't any water available.  (a pole == 25 m^2)

The prototype agreement used by Landshare is a licence, but you're describing a lease, and that's a different thing.  You can write your own agreement, just write it in plain English.  Describe exactly what's being leased, describe how you'll increase the rent, say when the rent is due and how it's to be paid, say how much notice your tenant must give to quit and how much notice you will give your tenant to quit, make any conditions that you want the tenant to abide by, and say under what circumstances you'll terminate the lease for a breach of those conditions.  You both sign it, and Bob's your uncle.  An annual periodic tenancy on 12 months notice to quit is fair.

Something like this woulld work:

This is a tenancy agreement between me, rke (the landlord), and you, Joe Bloggs (the tenant).

1. I lease to you the whole of the vegetable patch benind No.10 Letsby Avenue.

2. This is an annual periodic tenancy.

3. The rent is due on the 1st April and is to be delivered to me at my home address.

4. The annual rent is currently £25 and I will give you at least 12 months notice of any rent increase.  I will increase the rent by no more than the Retail Price Index.

5. You will give me not less than 12 month's notice to quit, expiring on 1st April.

6. I will give you not less than 12 months notice to quit, expiring on the 1st April.

7. You will use the land as an allotment garden and keep it well cultivated.

8.  You may not sublet or assign this lease.

9. If you are late paying the rent or if you break the conditions of tenancy then I may end this agreement and evict you.