Student landlords are being warned by one council that they face fines of £1,000 or prosecution if rubbish left behind by their tenants is dumped or fly-tipped instead of being disposed of legally.
The warning comes from West Northamptonshire Council as thousands of student renters prepare to leave their properties for the summer.
The authority is urging both students and landlords to plan these property clear-outs early amid fears that with so many students moving out can lead to rubbish being dumped on pavements and lead to overflowing bins.
Landlords face fixed penalties
Cllr Andrew Last, the council's cabinet member for regulatory services, 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 added: "We would also like to remind landlords that any waste you dispose of from your rental property is classed as commercial waste, and that means it must be disposed of legally and correctly.
"Don't get caught out by using unauthorised waste carriers, who are likely to fly tip your waste - not only will you still be liable to get it removed but you could also be fined."
Councils target student clear-outs
The issue is not confined to West Northamptonshire as authorities with large student populations around the country have stepped up warnings and enforcement around the summer tenancy changeover period in recent years.
Bristol City Council last year installed pop-up recycling banks for departing students but warned that bags or furniture left beside them would be treated as fly-tipping.
City of York Council has also trialled enforcement measures in student-heavy areas, telling landlords directly that side waste left next to bins would not be collected.
Leeds City Council distributed 7,000 blue bags for doorstep recycling under its 'Bag It, Bank It, Bin It' campaign, while increasing enforcement patrols in student areas.
Nottingham City Council said its crews would not collect side waste or overflowing bins during end-of-term clear-outs, with Community Protection Officers issuing fixed penalty notices under Section 46 of the Environmental Protection Act and unpaid penalties referred to the Magistrates' Court.
Guidance for students and landlords
West Northamptonshire's guidance sets out several routes for removing unwanted items before a tenancy ends.
Extra recycling can be placed in a clear or white bag beside a full wheelie bin on collection day. Households of more than six people can request a larger black bin, an additional blue bin and two food caddies.
Unwanted clothing, bed linen and towels can be collected free through the council's clothing collection service, while batteries and broken small electricals can be left on top of the relevant bin on collection day.
Commercial waste rules
It also says that larger items that won't fit in a car should go to a household waste recycling centre. Furniture that is clean and undamaged can be offered to local charities running free collection services.
The council also makes clear that student landlords must use a licensed waste carrier or can register as a carrier themselves and pay to use the council's trade waste service.
Receipts for commercial waste disposal, known as Waste Transfer Notes, need to be kept for up to two years.
Student landlord advice
The managing director of Accommodation for Students, Simon Thompson, said: "There will be student landlords who won't know that once a tenancy ends, anything their student tenants leave behind in the street instantly counts as commercial rubbish, not household waste.
"This means that the legal responsibility of the dumped rubbish falls squarely on the student landlord."
He added: "It also means running the risk of financial penalties, or even a potential prosecution through the magistrates’ court.
"Clearing items left behind safely means engaging properly licensed carriers instead of cutting corners."
