Are you a student HMO landlord? A local authority in Kent has reminded all HMO landlords of their responsibilities regarding waste management. Canterbury council has written to landlords about unacceptable levels of household waste which have accumulated outside properties in the past.
Landlords have also been warned they risk fixed penalty notices and the revoking of HMO licences, if students leave rubbish in public areas when they check out.
The letter has come as a last resort after a summer of frustration following the usual yearly exit of students from the city’s HMOs and the mess left behind on the city’s streets.
The council reminds landlords that the licence holders for an HMO are required to supply appropriate bins and sacks at the start of each tenancy. They should also replace them where needed.
Specifically in Canterbury, landlords are required to provide a blue lidded bin, red lidded bin, black lidded bin, two silver caddies for food waste, and full details of bin collections and recycling information.
Finally, just as a reminder to all HMO landlords, changes in legislation back in October 2018 specified that landlords are responsible for making sure that waste management at their HMOs complies with local authority rules. Specific requirements (number, type and size of bins etc.) are likely to vary from one local authority to another, so we would advise HMO landlords to check with their LA what the specific responsibilities are in their area.
