Householders Waste Duty of Care
The Household Waste Duty of Care Regulations (2005) state that residents are responsible for any
waste leaving their property, including when they employ contractors to carry out work on their
homes.
Since 2005 householders have been required by law to check that anyone removing waste from their
property is authorised to do so. The regulations state: “To take all such measures available as are
reasonable in the circumstances to secure that any transfer by the household waste produced on
their property is only to an authorised person or to a person for authorised transport purposes.”
Householders can be fined up to £5,000 in a magistrates’ court if they fail to take reasonable
measures to check that operators are legitimate waste carriers and that their waste will be disposed
of at an authorised site.
A waste carrier registration is normally needed for the following categories:

all building and allied trades

landscape gardeners, tree fellers and surgeons

house clearers

retail establishments

scrap metal dealers.
For those householders looking to use a private contractor to remove household, garden or
construction waste, we recommend you carry out the following checks beforehand:

Check they are a genuine and reputable company or individual

Ensure they are a registered waste carrier and make a note of their waste carrier number. If
they are not registered, refuse their service. If they claim to be registered but do not have
any paperwork, telephone the Environment Agency on 08708 506506 and request an instant
Waste Carrier Validation Check or check online at www.environment-agency.gov.uk

Check where they are proposing to take your waste

Record the registration number of any vehicle removing waste from your home

Pay by cheque as payments can be traced if the waste is fly tipped. If they insist on cash
refuse their service

Request a receipt for their service.