Please fill out an application form.  This will place you on a waiting list for your chosen allotment(s).  Receipt of your application will be confirmed by automatic email.  If you do not receive this email please resubmit your application form.

You can apply for a plot on up to 3 different sites. If you apply for a 4th site your application will be declined.  If you wish to change which 3 sites you have applied for please contact the Administrator.

• Plot size A Plots up to 75 square yards: £25/£12.50
• Plot size B Plots from 76 to 150 square yards: £50/£25
• Plot size C Plots from 151 to 300 square yards: £100/£50
• Plot size D Plots from 301 to 450 square yards: £135/£67.50

Yes, you need to pay a £40 deposit (£20 for concessions) when you first let your plot. This will be returned to you when you end your tenancy agreement if your plot is in a good state and can be relet. If your plot is in a poor condition or we are forced to terminate your tenancy for non-cultivation then your deposit will be forfeit.  There is also a £5 key deposit for our locked sites.

There are several ways to pay:

• Via this website at https://yorkallotments.org/pay-for-your-plot/  (you will need your Invoice Number and your Tenant ID Number found shown on your invoice. Please note this is not your plot number).  You do not need a Paypal account to pay online, just click the Checkout button and a new secure window will open giving you the option to pay by credit or debit card. (Please note this option may not show on some mobile devices.)
• By cheque made payable to York Allotments Charitable Incorporated Organisation and posted to the address below.

Unfortunately we cannot take payments by direct bank transfer as we are unable to identify the sender.

You are entitled to a 50% concession from the full rent if you are in receipt of a means tested benefit such as:

• Income-based Job Seekers Allowance
• Income-related Employment Support Allowance
• Income Support
• Pension Credit
• Tax Credits (Child Tax Credit and Working Tax Credit)
• Housing Benefit
• Council Tax Support
• Universal Credit

You are can apply for a concession online, or you can download the application form to complete and send to us in the post or via email.

Tenants with concessions will be required to confirm each year by completing the appropriate form sent to them by the Administrator that they are still eligible.  Failure to do so will result in the loss of the concessions and full payment will be required. A tenant may only have one plot eligible for a concession.  We cannot backdate concession applications. You must provide proof of eligibility at the same time as your application is made.

If you wish to end your tenancy for any reason please notify YACIO in writing, either post or email is acceptable. As per the tenancy agreement your tenancy will then be terminated 30 days from this to allow you to remove any items of crops you need to. Any items left on the plot after this date will be
disposed of.  We do not offer any refunds on rent if you terminate your tenancy partway through the year.

The rules can be found here –Updated Tenancy Terms and Conditions January 2022

You can also refer to our updated Tenant Handbook  for further guidance.

If you are the first named tenant on a plot you can apply to add up to two extra tenants to your tenancy agreement. These co-tenants have the same rights and responsibilities on the plot as you do, but if you add them after you have taken on the tenancy in just your name, they must have been registered for 24 months before they can take over the tenancy if you were to leave for some reason.  This is to prevent people from ‘jumping’ the waiting list in this way.  Please complete the form found below and read the further information it contains carefully.

Co-Tenant Application Form

Yes, we have two special Apiary sites at Bootham Stray and Carr Lane allotments for beekeepers.  The rent for these sites is £10 per year for a pallet stand that can have a maximum of 3 hives on it.  Please follow the normal application process by applying here and choose ‘Apiary’ as the plot type.

Please consult your site secretary regarding keeping of livestock.  For some sites this is not possible due to their location or security. Only pigeons, rabbits, hens (no cockerels) and waterfowl may be kept on allotment sites.  There are limits to the number to be kept on each plot.  (For example, no more than 12 hens on a full size plot.) If you do wish to keep livestock on your plot then you must fill out an application form and an additional charge of £6 per year will apply.

Guidelines for Poultry and Pigeons on Allotments

Certain sites have restrictions on erecting structures and you must always get permission from your site secretary and fill out an application form, available from the Administrator.  Each allotment site has established rules for the positioning of sheds. The general rule is that the sheds on any row of plots are lined up at one end or the other of the plots. You can read our guidelines for sheds and structures below:

Guidelines for Sheds and Structures

Allowing a bonfire to cause a nuisance to neighbouring residents or other allotment tenants contravenes your allotment tenancy. It may also be an offence under environmental protection law. If the Council’s Environmental
Protection Unit receive a complaint they issue an official warning. After a warning, further nuisance could lead to a court appearance and a fine of up to £5,000.

Please note the following rules for trouble free bonfires:

• Don’t light a bonfire on a warm, dry day, when neighbouring residents may be sitting out in their garden or drying their washing
• Don’t light a fire between Easter & October unless the weather is cold and grey
• Don’t burn your weeds – most can be composted to improve the soil
• Don’t bring rubbish from home to burn on your plot
• Only burn dry, woody garden waste
• Choose a still, cool evening for your fire
• Make sure the fire is out before you leave it