Allotment etiquette for vacant plots
Posted: Tue Sep 13, 2022 12:25 pm
Hi All,
I wanted to get the opinions and experiences of anyone on the forum who has an allotment. We have a long history of tenants helping themselves to items on plots once it has become common knowledge that a plot has become vacant. At the moment, there is nothing in our constitution that says outright that tenants cannot go on other plots, tenanted or vacant. This is something we need to address at our next AGM. In the meantime, plots are being stripped before the tenant has a chance to clear their possessions. I am not just talking about small things such as plant pots, but paving slabs, posts and raised beds, polytunnels and even fruit bushes being dug up.
To me, this is unacceptable. Plot holders are given 21 days to vacate, after which, our constitutions states that any leftover property belongs to the association to do with as it sees fit (usually passed to the next plot holder).
The situation came to ahead a few weeks ago when, in a committee meeting, a committee member was accused of taking items from a vacant plot. An argument ensued which has resulted in a number of committee members resigning as they can no longer take the stress of running the site.
For me, I wouldn't dream of entering someone else's plot, even an empty plot, but other people seem to think its ok. What do you think?
Clare
I wanted to get the opinions and experiences of anyone on the forum who has an allotment. We have a long history of tenants helping themselves to items on plots once it has become common knowledge that a plot has become vacant. At the moment, there is nothing in our constitution that says outright that tenants cannot go on other plots, tenanted or vacant. This is something we need to address at our next AGM. In the meantime, plots are being stripped before the tenant has a chance to clear their possessions. I am not just talking about small things such as plant pots, but paving slabs, posts and raised beds, polytunnels and even fruit bushes being dug up.
To me, this is unacceptable. Plot holders are given 21 days to vacate, after which, our constitutions states that any leftover property belongs to the association to do with as it sees fit (usually passed to the next plot holder).
The situation came to ahead a few weeks ago when, in a committee meeting, a committee member was accused of taking items from a vacant plot. An argument ensued which has resulted in a number of committee members resigning as they can no longer take the stress of running the site.
For me, I wouldn't dream of entering someone else's plot, even an empty plot, but other people seem to think its ok. What do you think?
Clare