Report accumulations of waste

We have powers to deal with accumulations of rubbish that may be a public health nuisance on private, domestic or commercial property. This is covered by the Environmental Protection Act 1990 where the waste may be prejudicial to health or a nuisance and the Prevention of Damage by Pest Act 1949, where it is likely to attract rodents.

We can take enforcement action on the persons responsible. This can for them to voluntarily remove the waste or we can take legal action in the form of a statutory notice.

If you have seen an accumulation of waste you think poses a risk report it to us.

What happens after a report?

We will investigate the report and decide if the waste poses a risk to public health or is likely to attract rodents. If we decide it does, we'll ask the persons responsible to clear the waste.

Where the owner or occupier of the land is unwilling to cooperate with advice, and informal requests to remove the accumulation are ignored we may take formal enforcement action and serve an Abatement Notice requiring them to remove it within a specified period of time.

The scope of the notice will vary depending on circumstances and may also stipulate specific 'works' or maintenance schedules to keep the land or property free from rodents and in a manner that will not cause a nuisance.

If the accumulation is not removed in accordance with the specifications of the Abatement Notice we may carry out one or both of the following:

• arrange for removal of the accumulation and recover all reasonable costs incurred (including our time) from the person on whom the notice was served
• prosecute the person on whom the notice was served.

If the legal notice is not complied with we can arrange for the work to be carried out. If this happens the persons responsible for the land would be be charged for the cost of the work. They may also be prosecuted for their failure to comply with the legal notice.

Failure to comply with the Abatement Notice is an offence and carries a maximum fine of £5,000 if the property is domestic and £20,000 where the property is commercial.