Rubbish piling up in a neighbour’s garden
What you can do when waste builds up on a neighbouring property, attracting pests or smells, and when the council can help.
Start with a conversation
Your neighbour may not realise there is a problem, or may need help clearing it. A friendly word or a note often works best.
When to contact the council
Councils can act where accumulated waste is a health risk, attracting rats or other pests, causing a smell, or making land look seriously run-down. Contact environmental health with dates, photos and a description of the problem.
If the property is rented
The landlord may be responsible for dealing with it. Your council can tell you who to contact.
Rubbish dumped by others
If someone else has dumped waste on the land, see fly-tipping.
Spotted something wrong or out of date? Tell us and we will check it.
More guides
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Separate waste from commercial activity from your household rubbish, and plan collection and records for a small home business in England.
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.
Abandoned vehicles: how to report them
How to tell if a car is abandoned, how to report it to the council, and getting rid of your own old car legally.
How to check a waste carrier is registered
Anyone who takes your waste away as a business must be a registered waste carrier. Here is how to check in a few minutes, and the warning signs to look for.