Rubbish Accumulation on Private Land

Reporting Accumulations of Rubbish on Private Land

If you have a problem with the dumping of waste, furniture or a build up of animal or human faeces from a neighbouring garden or on other private land the Environmental Health Team may be able to help using section 2 (c) of the Prevention of Damage by Pests Act 1949.

Inert materials such as builders waste or old appliances are not likely to provide nesting, harbourage, or food, for rats and mice but are still unsightly and may be detrimental to the amenity of the area.

Report an accumulation of rubbish on private land by completing our online form at the top of the page.

What will the council do?

Our Street Wardens service will investigate reports of accumulations of waste on private land and determine if it may provide nesting/harbourage for rats and mice (soft furnishings, mattresses etc) and/or contain waste that may provide food for rats and mice.

Where a nuisance exists or a health risk, due to the likely presence of vermin such as rats or mice, is identified then the Environmental Health Team will notify the owner or occupier of the land advising them of their responsibility to rectify the problem.

If this is not successful, the owner or occupier of the land can be served with a legal notice requiring them to remove the rubbish within a certain period of time. If they do not comply, the council can make arrangements for the rubbish to be removed and the costs incurred recovered from the person on whom the notice is served. In some circumstances the council will also consider prosecution. 

Rubbish in Private Alleyways or Service Road

Private alleyways or service roads that are not adopted by the council for the purposes of cleaning and lighting will be the responsibility of the owner of the land and/or those that have rights of access over the land.

In cases where the owner is not traceable, any residents adjoining the land are responsible for rectifying it. If this is the case for you we would advise that you speak with the other residents to try and resolve it. See The Public Health Act 1936 section 78 for more information.

Fly tipping and other Enviro-Crimes

If you are caught committing fly tipping, littering, dog fouling, or commercial waste duty of care breaches you could be fined and prosecuted. To read more or report one of these crimes please visit our Street Cleaning page.

Residents of Hastings & St Leonards may dispose of excess waste at the Hastings Household Waste & Recycling Site or by using our bulky waste collection service.

Overgrown gardens

Although overgrown gardens can be unsightly they do not pose a threat to public health and we do not have legislative powers to require gardens to be cut back. If, however, vegetation is encroaching onto the public highway you can contact the Highways department at East Sussex County Council who may be able to assist.

The repair of garden boundary fencing and vegetation that crosses the boundary fencing is dealt with as a civil matter and we don't get involved in these disputes. We would suggest you seek legal advice regarding any civil issues.