Rubbish fine for landlord dumping renovation waste

A landlord has been prosecuted after construction and renovation waste from his rental property was found dumped in Cottenham.

The dumped rubbish consisted of timber, mattresses, carpets, tiles, and other household waste, and was removed from a property in Huntingdon as part of renovation works before renting the home out again.

Evidence from the waste pile was investigated and checks with Huntingdonshire council revealed the owner was a landlord living in Hunstanton, Norfolk, who said a friend had been looking after the property - but he was unable to provide any contract of employment, or other documented proof of liability for this person.

The landlord admitted work had been carried out on the property and identified several items that were found in the waste as being from his address.  He further admitted that he hadn’t made the necessary checks on the contractors regarding the waste disposal.

He pleaded guilty to failing in his duty of care and was fined £400 with £1,000 costs - plus a criminal record.

All businesses have a duty of care to ensure that any “contractor” removing waste from a property is checked against the Environment Agency registers for authorised waste carriers, and that prior to waste being removed, a Waste Transfer Note is completed. 

Failure to secure such paperwork or allowing waste to be taken away by unlicensed carriers can result in severe financial penalties.

A council spokesperson says: “Fly-tipping is a blight on the local environment, a danger to public health and a hazard to wildlife. It also undermines legitimate waste businesses.”

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