Landlords have a legal Duty of Care under Section 34 of the Environmental Protection Act 1990. This means they must ensure that any waste produced at their property is stored, managed and disposed of correctly. Failure to comply with this duty may result in enforcement action or prosecution.
Waste generated by landlords during the letting of a property is classed as business or commercial waste and cannot be accepted at Stoke-on-Trent City Council’s Household Recycling Centres (the tips).
Waste from landlords includes:
- Waste produced from property improvements, repairs or alterations
- Waste left behind after a tenant vacates the property
- Fixtures and fittings supplied as part of the tenancy that are later discarded
- Waste removed by or on behalf of a landlord rather than by the tenant themselves
Landlords also have a responsibility to ensure their tenants dispose of their waste safely and legally. Tenants must ensure that any waste generated during their tenancy or business activity is handled through appropriate and lawful means.