West Northamptonshire Council issues waste disposal warning to students and landlords ahead of summer exodus
Students preparing to move out of rented accommodation for the summer are being urged to dispose of unwanted items responsibly or risk facing fines of up to £1,000.
West Northamptonshire Council has issued advice to students and landlords as thousands prepare to leave shared houses and student accommodation at the end of the academic year.
The authority is reminding residents to make full use of household waste and recycling collections, clothing recycling services and household waste recycling centres to avoid rubbish being left on streets or illegally dumped.
Students can put out extra recycling in clear or white plastic bags if their recycling bin is full, while larger items can be taken to one of the council's recycling centres at Sixfields or Ecton Lane. Visits must be booked in advance.
The council is also encouraging people to donate unwanted furniture in good condition to local charities, while damaged bulky items can be collected through the authority's bulky waste service.
Landlords are also being reminded of their legal responsibilities when clearing waste left behind by tenants.
The council says waste from rental properties is classed as commercial waste and cannot be left out for normal household collections. Property owners must use a licensed waste carrier or register as a waste carrier themselves and use the paid-for trade waste service at recycling centres.
Councillor Andrew Last, cabinet member for HR, corporate and regulatory services, warned that enforcement action could be taken against those who fail to dispose of waste correctly.
He said: "Fixed penalties of up to £1,000 can be served for improper disposal of waste (fly tipping) or you can even be prosecuted in court.
"It may sound obvious but do plan ahead to ensure you have enough time to safely dispose of unwanted or broken items, and to book collections or a slot at your local recycling centre."
He also urged landlords to ensure waste is disposed of legally, warning that using unauthorised waste carriers could still leave them liable for fines if rubbish is fly-tipped.