Q Can I pay monthly?
A We don’t have any monthly payment arrangements, but if it’s a problem paying the rent all at once, let us know and we can work something out in the Association
Q Does it cost less if I sign up after October?
A Only if you start from April onwards and then you pay a half year’s rental.
Q Is it cheaper to take on a plot which is in a bad state and overgrown?
A Not in the first year, but if you bring it up to a reasonable standard, you can ask for a concession (discount) on your second year’s rental
Q Can I get my money back if I find I can’t manage to look after a plot?
A No, but if you’ve never had a plot before, there are things we could suggest so you can have a ‘trial run’ and see whether it suits you
Q Can couples or friends sign up together?
A One person only can sign the allotment agreement (we have to send a copy to the Council), but if you want to share the cost with a partner or friend, that’s up to you. It’s still the person signing the agreement who is responsible for the plot.
There are examples on our sites of lots of different arrangements which work – single people, couples where both come to the site or just one is interested, whole families, parents and grown-up children, other combinations of family members, or just friends. They work if the people involved all ‘pull their weight’ and/or everyone involved is happy with the arrangement and gets some benefit.
Q Does the rental charge given on the website cover everything?
A The rental charge covers renting the plot for 1 year, and this gives access to the site, water, toilets and other facilities on the site. In addition, we ask for a membership fee for the Association (currently £4 a year). The membership income goes towards looking after the sites, and it also includes insurance via the National Allotment Society
Q Can groups, projects or organisations rent a plot?
A Yes, it’s called a non-standard allotment tenancy. Groups, projects and organisations have to fill in a special pre-tenancy form explaining what they want to use the plot for, and that has to be submitted to the Council’s allotment department for approval before they sign up. Examples of non-standard tenancies on WEGA sites include nurseries using plots for play or ‘forest schools’, a primary school, a gardening club, and a community centre wanting to develop opportunities for inter-generational gardening activities and community cohesion. A £100 deposit is required, payable to the Association, and this is returned if the organisation gives up the plot and leaves it in good order.