City of Masvingo (Community Halls, Stadia, Parks, Gardens, Arts) By-laws, 2025
Masvingo sets the terms for hiring its halls, stadia and parks — seven days' notice, graduated cancellation refunds, security deposits, no subletting, and the council may require the hirer to insure the venue.
These by-laws govern the hiring and use of the City of Masvingo's community halls, stadia, parks, gardens and arts and cultural facilities, and open by recognising artists' right to practise their art and their freedom of expression.
Applications must specify the facility, seating and equipment required and reach the council at least seven days before the booking. The council may refuse or cancel where the facility would be used unlawfully or is needed for council purposes, and owes no compensation. Refunds on cancellation are graduated by how far ahead the cancellation comes, and the hire period may be adjusted by agreement.
Hirers carry the standard obligations: pay charges before use, lodge a security deposit, keep to the facility applied for, no subletting or joint hire without approval, no unauthorised advertising, ticketing or sale of refreshments, no overcrowding, and make good any damage. The council excludes liability, may terminate for non-compliance, and inspects the facility jointly with the hirer afterwards before releasing the deposit.
Insurance is dealt with directly: a hirer must not do anything that voids the building's fire or other insurance or increases its premium, must reimburse any increased premium, and may be required by the council to insure the hired facility with an approved insurer against fire or other loss.
The council provides no storage, supplies its own equipment only with permission and under supervision, and may enter at any reasonable time to inspect, repair or check compliance — without any claim by the hirer for a remission of charges.
The extract available here was truncated before the First Schedule of fees and the Second Schedule of penalties, so the specific hire charges and fines should be read in the instrument itself.
What changed
- Applications for council facilities must be lodged at least seven days ahead
- Cancellation refunds are graduated by notice period, with security deposits released only after joint inspection
- Subletting, joint hire, advertising, ticketing and refreshment sales need council approval
- Hirers must not prejudice the venue's insurance and may be required to insure the facility themselves
- The council may enter at any reasonable time to inspect or repair, with no remission of charges to the hirer
Who this affects
- Event promoters, churches and sports clubs hiring Masvingo venues
- Artists and cultural groups using council facilities
- Schools and charitable organisations
- Council facilities managers
Plain-language summary — not legal advice. Always read the full instrument.