0:01 AM, 12th August 2025, About 5 months ago 7
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The National Housing Federation (NHF) has issued guidance to landlords and property managers after the government announced new waste and recycling rules.
The Simpler Recycling legislation, set to come into effect in March 2026, will mean every household in England will be required to have a separate weekly collection of food waste, including all purpose-built flats, HMOs, and flats above shops.
This means food waste will be collected separately from general rubbish, which is often disposed of in black bins, a move the Labour government says will help reduce discarded food.
The National Housing Federation (NHF), the trade body representing housing associations and affordable housing providers in England, writes on its website that it’s important for landlords and property managers to contact their local council to check the arrangements for the new separate food waste collection service.
The NHF: “For landlords and housing managers, flats that you manage (either the building as a whole or individual tenancies) are already likely to have a recycling service for residents to recycle their plastic bottles, paper, glass and cans, but many don’t yet have a separate food waste collection service.
“It is a legal requirement for households to be provided with this service, and landlords and housing managers can help by liaising with the local authority to find the best locations for new bins and signage and ways to engage residents to use the service.”
The NHF adds housing managers should make sure local authorities have the most up-to-date contact information for their blocks.
The news comes after Sefton council warned landlords they must make proper arrangements for their tenants to dispose of rubbish until the designated collection day or face a fine.
The council warned on their website: “If landlords, or their tenants, don’t dispose of items correctly they could face Fixed Penalty Notices of up to £400 or an unlimited fine”.
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Jo Westlake
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Member Since June 2015 - Comments: 305
10:13 AM, 12th August 2025, About 5 months ago
Separate food waste collection is brilliant. I was highly skeptical when it was introduced in my area but in reality it works incredibly well.
Food waste is put into any standard plastic bag you happen to have (bread bags, cereal packet bags, small bin liners, etc) then put in the small food waste bin outside and collected weekly. No need to buy special bags. In this area they specifically don’t want compostable bags as they jam up the machinery in the processing unit.
It means the standard non recycling bin isn’t full of rotting food waste, so doesn’t smell disgusting and isn’t crawling with maggots or attracting pests.
Currently about half of my tenants have got onboard with the food waste collections including a couple of student houses. It’s made a big difference to the number of ants and flies in the houses this year. The kitchens smell better and emptying the gigantic kitchen bin they all insist on buying is far less unpleasant for them now.
Reluctant Landlord
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Member Since September 2018 - Comments: 3392 - Articles: 5
10:35 AM, 12th August 2025, About 5 months ago
I can ASK all tenants to use the bins that will be provided…..
I can EXPLAIN how to segregate THEIR waste…
I can PROVIDE the link to the Council website with all the info about bin pick up days..
I cannot make them do it.
Council’s want to fine them? – be my guest!
northern landlord
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Member Since March 2022 - Comments: 352
10:53 AM, 12th August 2025, About 5 months ago
What have landlords got to prepare for? The tenants will be given bins by the councils and it is their responsibility as the council tax payer to ensure they are used properly. Surely, a landlord cannot be fined for the actions of a tenant? We are not parents or carers that have taken over responsibility for their lives.What next? Do we have to make sure they are keeping warm and eating properly?
GlanACC
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Member Since March 2023 - Comments: 1466
16:54 PM, 12th August 2025, About 5 months ago
I am fitting some of my properties with under sink waste disposal units (about £200) so the waste food can be ground up and flushed down the plughole
DPT
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Member Since October 2020 - Comments: 1090
11:19 AM, 16th August 2025, About 5 months ago
The problem arises for landlords for HMOs let by room. In this case the landlord is the CT payer and retains control of the communal spaces, (where the bins are stored). They will be responsible for waste collection.
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The problem arises for landlords of HMOs let by room. In this case the landlord is the CT payer and retains control of the communal spaces, (where the bins are stored). They will be responsible for waste collection.
Tiger
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Member Since October 2024 - Comments: 170
9:31 AM, 18th August 2025, About 5 months ago
Reply to the comment left by Reluctant Landlord at 12/08/2025 – 10:35
I have for years provided with food bin. But the tenants never use it. I have explained the use of it.
But at the end of tenancy they fill the bins with everything they do not wish to take with them and all discarded stuff in all the bins including food bin, like clothes and shoes.
Of course in man does not take it. It falls on the landlord to do this admin work or delegate someone at a cost.
Reluctant Landlord
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Member Since September 2018 - Comments: 3392 - Articles: 5
10:48 AM, 18th August 2025, About 5 months ago
Reply to the comment left by Tiger at 18/08/2025 – 09:31
I have often just left the stuff on the pavement where it has been left. Take photos and send to the council telling them it is the tenant who left it and give them a forwarding address (if you have it) reminding them the tenant is the taxpayer and therefore rubbish is their responsibility to dispose of.