Legal advice being sought after being told to leave my plot by April 2010

[Nicos]

Maybe it's time to get the local press involved???..perhaps just after Xmas when the news is slow????
The Vine does well as a group me thinks!

[WINTER]

Nice thought Nicos may well consider that but i the meantime do i still continue planting ready for the new season so many dilemas (if that is spelt correctly) I know at least 2 other plot holders who were not asked for their opinion if I should leave or not -- mind you one is my brother-in-law the other is his brother but as legimate plot holders they should of had their opinion voiced

[TheGirlsMum]

Thet should be quoted the prices for down here, £60 for half a plot and no water!!!

[SarzWix]

Why are the plot-holders being asked 'their opinion' about whether you should leave??!! What about your tenancy agreement?! People's opinions have absolutely no bearing on the matter! If you don't get any response from the land-owner, quick sharp, then get onto the Citizen's Advice Bureau. I'm positive that they won't be able to evict you without you having broken the terms of the tenancy agreement. So sit tight!

[WINTER]

Thanks Sara there is no signed agreement in force by any tenant on the site.

[Alice]

He informed me that there have been members who dislike the bad atmosphere when I come onto the site and that some have seen my car in the car park and gone back home

You sound really popular Winter Have you thought about why that might be

[zazen999]

You sound really popular Winter Have you thought about why that might be

Because he tried to raise the rent; it looks like.

[Eco-Chic]

If there is no tenancy agreement, you cannot have breached any rules and regs and there can't possibly be grounds to remove you, other than mob rule.

Dig your heels in (not on your raised beds obviously) and just say you ain't going anywhere.

[SarzWix]

No tenancy agreement??!! What on earth are the committee OR the landowners supposed to enforce?! And how do you get allocated a plot?

Definitely the Citizen's Advice Bureau and a letter (preferably written by the C.A.B. for maximum effect) to the land-owners.

've never heard of such a ridiculous way of running an allotment site. Perhaps it might be worth getting in touch with the council too - if all the other allotments in your area have waiting lists, the council might be able to compulsorarily (sp?) purchase this site, and the tenants would all come under council rules.

[Two_Sheds]

Thanks Sara there is no signed agreement in force by any tenant on the site.

So it's mob rule.
While I agree that they have no 'right' to evict you, they could make life very unpleasant indeed, burning your shed, weedkillering your crops etc.

Best to get the old boys on-side, I reckon.

If it were me, I would write to each and every one of them. Not a begging letter, but basically explaining what you told us: that you were trying to improve the site, reduce waiting lists etc.

I've been on 2 sites now, and seen the same kind of war break out when someone new comes along with new ideas. The 'auld boyes' don't like change, and they don't like upstarts with new ideas above their station.

[WINTER]

Plot allocatation is done by the Chairman he alone has the say so of who stays and who goes which is why I tried to bring in constituion and agreements I hasten to add I gave every member the opporunity to read the draft copy of the agreement before it was to be voted for at a meeting some clauses were to maintain your plot but I forgot to mention that as the rent was set at £3 you had members having multiple plots one in fatc has 7 all of which are in a poor state others have 3 or 4 plots. I will be contacting the landlords and also the CAB as a I believe a letter is my only course of action in the interim. I am also going to contact NSALG which instigated the site in joining. Also I have sent an e-mail to the local conatc of the Allotment Rgeneration Iniative who visited our site and saw first hand what mess the site was in shortly after becoming Chairman in Feb-Mar 2009 and am awaiting his reply. So thanks you all for your contibutions of advice.

[Two_Sheds]

The land is owned by a private organisation ... £3 a year

I'm confused as to why a private company would charge such low, low rent? It seems bonkers with demand for land and allotments so high.

I'm also concerned that 'kicking up a stink' might make them reconsider the use of the land? Perhaps think about selling it to a property developer or a supermarket or something?

[WINTER]

The private landlord is a farmer -- the site is located on the main road between two towns and I believe that he has had offers in the past but wants to keep the land as an allotment site not for it to go to a supermarket or such like. There is a cottage near the boundry of the site and the plot holders have to be as quiet as is reasonable practical as the owner has complained of noise and smoke from fires in the past and the mere mention of the owners name is enough to frighten the long established plot holders. Who fear that he could get fed up of continuos complaints from this neighbour and clsoe the site down. But why he only wants a token rent which I believe is only about £200-300 per year I can not answer.

[Bigmallly]

It appears to me that you have the best interests at heart for the allotment. Would it be worthwile having a chat with the farmer & see if he can draw up some kind of contract for the holders. I don't have a plot so can only imagine how hard it is for you at the moment. Good luck with your fight.

[Bigmallly]

But why he only wants a token rent which I believe is only about £200-300 per year I can not answer.

Am I right in thinking that is the rent for the whole site, as my maths tell me that you must have 100 plots.