Landlords are being warned they could face fines of up to £600 for common rubbish disposal mistakes as awareness of waste rules remains low across the UK.
Guidance from the Environment Agency makes clear that homeowners have a legal duty of care for their waste, even after it has left their property.
The warning comes as Rainbow Rubbish Removals highlights a rise in cases where waste is handed to unlicensed collectors or disposed of incorrectly, often without homeowners realising the risks.
Failure to check a waste carrier’s credentials can leave households liable if rubbish is later fly-tipped, while incorrect disposal of items such as electricals, batteries and chemicals can also breach regulations.
KNOW THE RULES
Low-cost, unlicensed waste services are a particular concern, with no guarantee that rubbish will be handled legally, increasing the risk of enforcement action.
Miroslav Radov, Founder of Rainbow Rubbish Removals, says: “A lot of the problems we see come down to people simply not knowing the rules. It’s not deliberate, it’s that waste disposal feels like something you don’t need to think about too much. But there are a few key areas where that can catch people out.
“If you haven’t checked who is taking your waste, you could still be held accountable for where it ends up.
“If there’s no licence and no paperwork, there’s no proof your waste was handled properly. That’s where people can run into trouble.
“As enforcement increases and councils continue to crack down on illegal dumping, it wouldn’t be surprising to see penalties reviewed again in the future. The focus is clearly on accountability.”
