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I don't think I can be very helpful, but our plot rents have been abruptly raised by 55% PLUS a new compulsory deposit of up to £50 per plot (depending on size) against the possibility of the plot being left "untidy" (deposit returnable if site left "tidy" in a way which is not clearly defined). We are managed by our local town council, overseeing four sites. They are also trying to impose a new contract with clauses that we think are unreasonable, so we are not signing and returning it.One of us with legal training has found that it is illegal to raise rents without 12 months notice. I think you actually had this notice? We have all (as far as I know) refused to pay the deposit at that level, and most of us have refused to pay the increased rent. The Council is trying to compromise with us in various ways, and we will know more after their meeting in late November.So all I can say is keep the discussion going, do not commit to anything, and try to persuade your council to be reasonable. There has been a lot in the news lately about community health and allotments, and pricing plots out of most people's budgets is not the way to go.
It's not something that we've had, but it's likely to come our way when the site lease is up for renegotiation.It might be worth contacting the Leeds federation who had their rent increase quashed: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-leeds-28660002Likewise the Edinburgh federation: http://www.fedaga.org.uk/rent-rise-campaign.htmlHope that helps!
leonmc0708 As a matter of interest how long does the new lease run for and are there any increases allowed in that term ?Also have your committee discussed buying the site under the new community asset transfer rights?
In the past, we've often been quoted that the Council can only increase rents in line with the increases to charges for other recreational facilities it provides. For example, its swimming pool - if they bit the entrance fee up by 10%, that's really the only increase they can justify for the allotments.But what Sparrow said - others have challenged these increases and been successful so looking at what they did is the way to go.
We haven't thought (or heard) of the buying of the site - I will look into this. If you have any information on this please let me have the details.
Market value!The average cost of rental for agricultural land in the Uk in 2013 was £171 per hectare, thats 10000 sq metres for £171, almost 2p per sq metre. Your council will fuss at that, what with all the enhancements they have provided. Remind them that "back to basics" is where they should be, or find another supplier!
leonmc08,The relevant legal provisions of the various Allotment Acts, 1098,1922, 1950 relate.Section 10 (1) , 1950 being the relevant regarding rent. The principle is that councils should facilitate the provision of land to grow food, there is no principal that they profit from the provision. The basic provision of land is what they should do." Fancy "improvements, facilities, managements, overseer costs should not be priced in, or comparisons made to other land use. Therefore the market value, of agricultural land, should be the rate upon which rents are based. In the latest reported rate, it is , as my previous post , less than 2pence per square metre.