Kettering Allotments Society

Deposit Policy for new tenants

The committee has agreed to charge a deposit for new tenants with effect from January 2021. From 2025 the deposit will be £10  per pole. The deposit may be changed by committee decision at one of its scheduled meetings. The deposit will be kept safe in the Society’s bank account. Deposits will be returned when the tenant leaves or is evicted as long as the plot is vacated in acceptable condition with no rubbish, and any gate keys are returned. 

Acceptable condition.  This means not neglected and  badly overgrown with weeds. Most plots have some weeds, but if the weeds are tall and extensive the deposit will be forfeited. 

If you are thinking about giving up your plot, consider covering your plot as you clear it to keep weeds to a minimum. 

What counts as rubbish? Some examples of unacceptable rubbish recently removed from vacant plots include: – carpet, sofas, upholstered chairs, baths, large numbers of bricks, old doors, UPVC windows, window glass (some broken), toilet pan, plastic items, beer cans. See our Waste Management Policy for more detail. Also refer to the one-page summary of Dos and Don’ts

What can I leave on a plot when vacating? (and not lose my deposit)

Any shed that is structurally sound (and within the site sizing rules of no more than 10ft by 8ft)), a few slabs (maximum 6), a few bricks (no more than 10 per plot, intact tools, a few pallets or compost bins (no more than 6 pallets).  Talk to your steward. We want to be reasonable and find solutions. Our purpose is to have a reasonably clear plot that can be re-let in good condition to a new member who has been on the waiting list.

Relevant Rules

(Rule 69)  Poultry housing and runs erected before this rule was first agreed (March 2016) are exempt from the 25% rule, however, should the tenant leave, the poultry housing must be removed and the 25% rule will then apply to that plot.

(Rule 55) Any uPVC currently installed in a structure, must be removed when the tenant leaves. Any uPVC currently installed in a structure, must be removed when the tenant leaves. Broken glass must be removed promptly.

(Rule 41) Outgoing tenants shall be held liable for any expenses incurred by the Society in clearing their neglected allotments.

(Rule 16) Tenants have no right to pass on a tenancy. However, the committee will treat sympathetically any request from next of kin to continue to manage a plot. (See Waiting Lists Policy for more detail). 

(Rule 8) Tenants may not assign, sub-let or change possession or control of all or part of an allotment. E.g. passing on your allotment to a friend, plot-holder or family member. 

Claiming your deposit back

Once the plot has been vacated and any keys returned to the field steward, the steward will inspect the plot. If the field steward is satisfied that the plot is in reasonable condition to re-let to a new tenant then the treasurer will be informed. The outgoing tenant will need to provide their bank account and SORT number. Refunds are done online by bank transfer. Refunds need to be claimed within 6 months of vacating the plot.