Waste and recycling for licensed properties (HMOs): information for landlords

Waste and recycling: Landlord responsibilities

As a landlord you have responsibilities for dealing with waste and recycling:

• comply with our Household Recycling and Waste Policies
• ensure that suitable and sufficient recycling and waste containers are available for tenants’ use, and there is enough space on the property to store these. You can order new, replacement or additional bins on our website
• provide written information to all tenants at the start of the tenancy advising them of their responsibilities for the proper storage and disposal of household recycling and waste. This should be provided in a clear and easy to understand format which tenants can refer to throughout the period of their tenancy, and should include the following:
  • How household recycling and residual waste should be separated, stored and placed out for collection in the correct containers
  • How to dispose of bulky household waste
  • If applicable, the arrangements for accessing communal recycling and waste containers that are placed in secure areas
• dispose of any remaining waste after the property becomes vacant at the end of a tenancy as commercial waste. Once the property becomes vacant, any waste items left behind are no longer considered household waste but commercial waste.
• carry out regular checks (at least once every six months throughout the duration of the licence), to ensure that all tenants are complying with their responsibilities with regards to the storage and recycling of waste. Checks should be recorded and records should be made available to us within 14 days of a written request to provide this information.
• ensure that any waste which the Council does not routinely collect such as hazardous waste or mattresses are disposed of in a safe and lawful manner.

Commercial waste

You must manage and dispose of your commercial waste responsibly. If you fail to do so you could be fined up to £50,000. For more information on how ot dispose of commercial waste see the Business recycling and waste page. 

Large and bulky items

You and your residents have a number of different options for disposing of large and bulky items: 

• Furniture and electrical appliances may be able to be donated or collected for free. Find out more on the Reduce, reuse and repair for Barnet page. 
• You can take items to the Summers Lane recycling and reuse centre
• You can book and pay for a Bulky household waste collection

Fly-tipping

• If fly-tipping has occurred near your property you can report fly-tipping online
• If fly-tipping has occurred on your land you will need to book a Bulky household waste collection

Contact us

Email CSI@barnet.gov.uk if you have any questions about your waste and recycling responsibilities as a landlord.