Advice for AL....

[Incy]

If the allotment people haven't received a signature of delivery, surely she can claim mitigating circumstances and appeal, due to not being officially informed though receipt of an invoice?? I'm no legal eagle but would be worth contesting it, especially if it's a Council owned site as they lurve the dotted I's and crossed T's if it's their way.

Good idea.

Surely she will have been to the allotment since March though? In which case someone would have reminded her?

She has and has planted things too but nobody said a word.

Take the cash to the council and get a receipt for the rent.

I'm being very good with my language....flippin people.

That's a really good idea zaz will pass it on.

Get her local councillor involved immediately - they can work miracles behind the scenes.

Another great idea.

Thank you all for your input I wil pass it all on to her.
She has been given till the 13th June to vacate her plot which means she will lose all her crops. OH reckons someone on the committee may have a pal wanting a plot so they're looking for reasons to evict folk. There is apparently a 4 year waiting list and no other sites nearby so maybe he's right. It really seems mean and petty though whatever their reasons.

[Hans Mum]

get local newspaper on board & explain her circumstances that should do something

[Alison]

Surely she will have been to the allotment since March though? In which case someone would have reminded her?

To be fair I don't think I've ever had a converstation with anybody on our plot about rent so have no idea if anybody has paid or not.

What state is her plot in and are there any that are a right state where somebody isn't been evicted?

[Snadger]

To be fair I don't think I've ever had a converstation with anybody on our plot about rent so have no idea if anybody has paid or not.

What state is her plot in and are there any that are a right state where somebody isn't been evicted?

You miss my point Alison. At our site everyone is informed when the AGM is and at the same time when the rent is due. (probably the same all over?) If she hasn't been given this information, she has a case.

If someone hadn't paid their rent and was working at our allotments, in all probability the Treasurer or one of the committee would pay them a visit and give them a verbal reminder!

[tamsin]

I'd ask the council to provide proof of delivery of the reminders... I think you can ask under the freedom of information act if they won't. You'd need to check what the actual contract says - if it says they'll send reminders then that's part of the contract but if it doesn't then it's just a courtesy and they wouldn't be obligated.

[HeyWayne]

if no one else can help, and if you can find them...

[Alison]

You miss my point Alison. At our site everyone is informed when the AGM is and at the same time when the rent is due. (probably the same all over?) If she hasn't been given this information, she has a case.

If someone hadn't paid their rent and was working at our allotments, in all probability the Treasurer or one of the committee would pay them a visit and give them a verbal reminder!

Ah but not all allotments have committees and AGMs, we don't have any of that. All that happens is that we get a letter from the council official to that we need to pay the £20 or whatever it is and that's it. No meetings that we would go to, no notice boards, no treasurer that could visit or anything like that so it's certainly not the same all over

[tigress60]

A question how long are you given to pay the rent ?
surely they dont expect it the next day so as its only May it is only 8 weeks which is not really along time .It seems a very heavy handed attitude for something so minor .
Contact Bryn of national allotment society he is a very helpful chap on legal matters

[Snadger]

Ah but not all allotments have committees and AGMs, we don't have any of that. All that happens is that we get a letter from the council official to that we need to pay the £20 or whatever it is and that's it. No meetings that we would go to, no notice boards, no treasurer that could visit or anything like that so it's certainly not the same all over

Are you not given a deadline for payment?

[Snadger]

A question how long are you given to pay the rent ?
surely they dont expect it the next day so as its only May it is only 8 weeks which is not really along time .It seems a very heavy handed attitude for something so minor .
Contact Bryn of national allotment society he is a very helpful chap on legal matters

We, as an allotment association pay an annual rent to the council. The allotmenteers all pay a rent to the association to cover costs. These running costs are ongoing. If one or two prople were late with their payments there would be no money in the coffers to cover costs.

[Alison]

Are you not given a deadline for payment?

No, we just get a letter telling us what we owe. I assume that you might get a letter a month or so later if you haven't paid which is a reminder but I aways pay straight away before I forget. Bit confused though how a a deadline in a letter would make me talk to my plot neighbours about payment

[Snadger]

...................... Bit confused though how a a deadline in a letter would make me talk to my plot neighbours about payment

Two seperate posts, two seperate questions!

[Alison]

Two seperate posts, two seperate questions!

That would make sense brain a bit frazzled by the heat yesterday so basic concepts difficult to grasp!

[Incy]

Have heard back from AL.
Although she is not able to get on as herself, she has been able to come on as a guest and read all the kind words and advice that has been offered so thank you all very much.
As her allotment is council run rather than association run, she has now written a letter of appeal direct to the council so fingers crossed they will be sympathetic to her current situation.

[Jeanied]

Incy to keep us all informed as to the outcome, won't you! And it is still not too late for her to get her local councillors involved to put in a word for her.