What the law says

By law, holiday lets and self-catering accommodation are not allowed to use our household bin collection service.

The Controlled Waste set out how councils must deal with waste from holiday lets and self-catering accommodation.

The legislation says that these premises are businesses and should pay for a commercial waste service, including collection and disposal charges.

This definition applies regardless of whether the premises are liable for business rates or Council Tax. 

If you are unsure of your legal obligations, contact us to ensure you have the appropriate arrangements in place.

Should I be paying business rates?

Legislation covering business rates for self-catering and holiday let accommodation in England says that if a property is available to let for 140 days or more a year and has been actually let for 70 days or more over a rolling 12 month period, it should be rated as a self-catering property and valued for business rates.

If you are not paying business rates and think you should be, email us at ndr@dorsetcouncil.gov.uk with the details.

Our commercial waste service

If your premises are available as a holiday let or self-catering holiday accommodation throughout the year, you can pay for any of our Dorset commercial waste collection services.

Full collection and disposal charges will apply unless your business received free waste disposal and also small business rate relief prior to 6 April 2012, when the current legislation came into force. Businesses that meet this criteria are eligible to a 'collection only' rate. Proof of small business rate relief will need to be provided.

We already have many contracts for holiday lets and self-catering accommodation across Dorset. We also work with agencies to make sure their members are aware of the legislation and are making appropriate choices about their waste.

Privacy notice

We may receive information from the Revenues and Benefits Service to help with the provision of commercial waste collection. The Revenues and Benefits Service privacy notice details the service’s handling of personal data.

Commercial waste enquiries

Name: Dorset Waste Services
Email: businesswaste@dorsetcouncil.gov.uk
Tel: 01305 228640
Full contact details

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