Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council is urging residents to be vigilant and check that anyone they pay to remove their waste is properly licensed. 

Over the past year, the borough council has recorded five successful prosecutions of residents for failing in their legal duty of care when arranging for waste to be removed. In each case, waste including building materials, furniture, household items and garden waste was later found fly-tipped elsewhere in the borough, leaving residents facing fines and clean-up costs of hundreds and, in some cases, thousands of pounds. 

Residents are being reminded they remain responsible for their waste until it has been handed over to a licensed waste carrier. Before hiring anyone to remove rubbish, people should ask to see a waste carrier licence, request a written quote and ask where the waste will be taken and how it will be disposed of. 

They should also be vigilent when dealing with individuals who offer waste removal services door to door or advertise in social media groups. 

Anyone arranging waste removal can check whether a business is registered as a licensed waste carrier using the Environment Agency's online register. If a carrier is not listed, they could be operating illegally. 

Cabinet Member for Residents' Services and Housing Cllr Laura James said: "We are all responsible for making sure our waste is disposed of correctly. If you don't know who is taking your waste or where it is ending up, you could be held responsible if it is fly-tipped and may face prosecution and a criminal record.  

"Be curious and ask questions before employing someone to remove your waste. Any legitimate business will be happy to explain how it operates and where the waste will be taken. What may seem like a cheap option to dispose of your waste at the time could turn out to be extremely costly." 

Residents looking for a reputable waste carrier can use services such as Checkatrade or Buy With Confidence. The council also offers a chargeable bulky waste collection service, with concessions available for eligible residents receiving benefits. More information is available at www.basingstoke.gov.uk/bulkywaste