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End of tenancy: rubbish and belongings left behind

For tenants and landlords: who clears rubbish at the end of a tenancy, and what to do about belongings left behind.

Last reviewed 21 October 2026 · Applies to England; check local arrangements

Quick answer. Tenants should leave the property clear of their rubbish. Landlords dealing with items left behind should take advice before disposing of anything that might be valuable or wanted.

For tenants

Check your tenancy agreement and check-in inventory. Rubbish or unwanted furniture left behind can lead to clearance costs being taken from your deposit. Book a council collection or a registered carrier in good time.

For landlords

Rubbish left by a tenant is generally your responsibility once you have the property back, and you must use the right route to dispose of it. Belongings that may have value are different: there are legal rules about uncollected goods, so get advice before disposing of them.

Using a clearance company

Clearing a rental property is often business waste for a landlord. Use a registered carrier and keep the waste transfer note.

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