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As a householder you have a legal obligation (duty of care) to take all reasonable measures to ensure that your waste is disposed of properly. This applies to all domestic properties, caravans and residential homes.

As a householder you must take reasonable steps to check that anyone you use to remove waste from your property is authorised to do so.

If you don't comply with the householder duty of care you can be prosecuted if your waste is found fly-tipped and traced back to your address. You can be fined a maximum of £5,000 on conviction in a magistrates court, or face an unlimited fine if convicted in a crown court.

  • For more information about Household Duty of Care see: Fly-tipping

What to do if you receive a fixed penalty notice

There is no appeal process for an environmental offence. You should pay the fine within the period specified on the fixed penalty notice.

  • If you do not pay the fixed penalty in time you may be fined and prosecuted. You may also end up with a criminal record and have to pay our costs.
  • If you pay the fixed penalty in time we can't prosecute you and the fixed penalty won't result in a criminal offence.

Penalty

  • If paid within 10 days: £280
  • If paid after 10 days but before 28 days: £400

How to pay a fixed penalty notice

You can pay online with a debit or credit card. The fine must be paid in full and cannot be paid in instalments. You will need the following from the fixed penalty notice.

  • The fixed penalty notice number (The letter E followed by a 5-digit number)
  • The date the fixed penalty notice was issued