If you have more garden than you use, a rural farm with idle headlands, or parish grounds that could be doing more for your community, this is the practical guide. No legalese. Just the things you actually need to think about.
Who Should Share?
- Empty-nesters with large suburban gardens they can't maintain
- Retirees or semi-retirees with spare time and space
- Rural farmers with unused headlands or old polytunnels
- Parish priests / parish councils with underused church grounds
- Schools willing to make their grounds productive outside term time
- Country estates with walled gardens they can't profitably farm themselves
How Much Space Do You Need?
Even 20–30 m² — about a parking space — is enough for one serious grower. You don't need to commit huge areas. Most first arrangements are a single plot of 20–50 m² in one corner of an existing garden.
How Much Should You Charge?
Two models work:
- Cash rent: €80–€400/year depending on size, location and what's included (water, tools, shed)
- Produce-share (no cash): grower pays nothing, agrees to leave a proportion of the harvest at your door each week. Common in church/community settings
Most arrangements are a blend — a nominal rent plus an informal "leave some courgettes at the back door" convention.
The Six Things to Sort Before Someone Arrives
1. Access hours
You don't want a grower in your back garden at 11pm. Typical agreement: "daylight hours, notify if after 7pm, never after 9pm."
2. Water access
Does the grower use your hose? Are you happy with that? Irish summers mostly water themselves, but in dry spells water access matters.
3. Tools and shed
If there's a shed, can the grower leave their tools there? Yes/no — both are fine, but agree upfront.
4. What they can and can't do
Some landowners happily allow a polytunnel or raised beds to be added; others want the space left as it is when the arrangement ends. Say so clearly.
5. Dogs / kids / visitors
Is the grower allowed to bring a child to help? A dog? A partner? All reasonable questions to sort upfront.
6. What happens mid-season if you want to end it
Typical agreement: "both parties give 30 days' notice; grower has the right to harvest anything ripening within that window; any structures revert to landowner."
Tax in Plain English
Plot rental is taxable income in Ireland. Rent-a-Room relief (€14k/yr tax-free) does not apply — that's only for letting rooms inside your house.
In practice: if this is your only non-PAYE income and it's under €5,000/year (very likely for a single plot), you note it on Form 12 and move on. If you're listing multiple plots or running it at scale, get an accountant.
See our full Tax & Legal page.
Insurance — One Phone Call
Call your home insurer and ask: "I'm letting someone use a portion of my garden for vegetable growing. Does my public liability extend? Does it matter if there's a small rent?"
Most answer "yes, covered." If they say no, the extension is usually tens of euros a year.
Written Agreement — One Page
Not a lease. Just a one-page memo covering: names, plot location, size, duration, rent, what's included, access hours, notice period, confirmation that this is not a tenancy. Both sign, both keep a copy. Email us for a template.
Ready to list your space?
No listing fee in Phase 1. We'll match you to suitable growers and you take it from there.
List Your Plot