If you’ve received a fine (starting with reference QZF) under Section 88 of the Environmental Protection Act 1990 (Littering and urination fixed penalty notices):
For all other kinds of fixed penalty notice, call us. If you believe you have grounds to challenge your fine, email us at enforcementsupport@hackney.gov.uk.
Fly-tipping
Illegal waste dumping or fly-tipping is a serious concern for us and the local community. It can be physically dangerous and shift the financial burden of cleaning waste on to taxpayers.
When reporting fly-tipping
do not touch the waste
try to determine what the waste consists of and how much there is
take note of its exact location
do not disturb the site – it may contain evidence that could help identify the offenders
If you see someone fly-tipping, try to make a note of:
the day, date and time
what they looked like
any vehicles involved (and their make, colour and
registration number)
Resident responsibilities
As a resident, you have a legal obligation to make sure your waste is disposed of properly. For normal household rubbish and recycling, use these services:
We don’t collect building or DIY waste including tiles, carpet, rubble or fencing.
You or your builder must arrange for it to be collected by a licensed waste carrier. It is your responsibility to ensure that the waste carrier hired is registered with the Environment Agency:
always ask whether they are registered waste carrier
ask for their waste carrier number to verify details
request a waste transfer note – this is a document which must accompany any transfer of waste between different holders.
Business responsibilities
If you own or run a business in Hackney, you must make arrangements for your commercial waste to be collected by a registered waste carrier. You have a responsibility to ensure that:
you have an appropriate waste collection agreement to dispose of your business waste
you prevent the escape of your business waste (which can cause a nuisance to local residents)
your business waste is transferred to a registered waste carrier for disposal who provides you with a waste transfer note (WTN) or receipt as evidence of waste disposal
you keep records of your WTN or receipt for a minimum period of two years and are able to provide it upon request from the Council (businesses disposing of waste who to fail to provide waste transfer notes for a period of covering 2 years may be prosecuted or issued with a £300 penalty notice)
you present your waste for collection in line with refuse collection regulations for the road on which your business is located
if you own vacant land, you must ensure that it is secured and not easily accessible by the public
Fly-tipping is an offence
Dumping waste without permission is a serious criminal offence. You can be fined up to £50,000 and a prison sentence.
It is also an offence to allow someone else to fly-tip or illegally dump waste on your behalf.
If you arrange for waste to be removed, check the contractor’s duty of care notice which allows them to legally dispose of rubbish.
How we manage fly-tipping and waste
We can prosecute anyone caught dumping waste:
we can prosecute people controlling vehicles used to dump waste, and seize vehicles used in fly-tipping offences. This means that it is possible to prosecute even if the driver of the vehicle is not identifiable
we can also issue warnings and fixed penalty notices for less serious cases of fly-tipping
Illegal street trading and illegal vehicle sales and repairs
It is illegal to trade, sell or repair vehicles on the public highway or other public places without the appropriate council trading licence.
Illegal street trading
When reporting illegal street trading, let us know:
the location of the street trading
the nature of business
the type of obstruction of the highway (tables, stands, etc)
the times of trading, and how long the street trading has been going on
who might be responsible (trade name of business, etc)
Illegal vehicle sales and repairs
Some mechanics and businesses use the public highway as an extension of their garages and for vehicle sales.
This can cause a nuisance to local residents and it takes up car parking spaces. Repairing vehicles on the street can also look unsightly, cause local environment damage and present a danger to others.
If you need to report illegal vehicle repairs and sales, try to get:
number of people involved
descriptions of vehicles involved (used or repaired)
how often it is occurring
type(s) of vehicles involved
registration details
numbers of vehicles for sale
How we manage illegal street trading and illegal vehicle repairs and sales
In cases of unlicensed street trading, materials can be seized, including perishable items, and offenders can be prosecuted or issued with a £150 fixed penalty fine.
In cases of breaches of the conditions of street trading licences, offenders may be prosecuted or issued with a £100 penalty.
We investigate reports of illegal vehicle repairs or sales, to determine whether it causes annoyance, or is part of a business illegally operating on the public highway.
Graffiti
The council is committed to reducing and removing undesirable graffiti.
Street art, murals and removing graffiti
We recognise that some people consider that street art makes a positive contribution to the urban environment. If your property has a piece of street art or a mural on it, you must contact us to let us know that you would like to keep it.
We will remove street art or graffiti if we believe it spoils the local environment or prevents people from enjoying the area. When deciding whether to allow it, we consider whether it is:
offensive, gang related, insulting or against public interest
likely to encourage more graffiti or tagging
inappropriate for the location or out of keeping with the surrounding area
a cause of complaints to the council
on a listed building or in a conservation area
libellous or potentially libellous
intimidating
We remove all graffiti below head height:
on council owned property
any property that is offensive – we may need to seek permission
If your property has been graffitied, we can possibly remove it for a charge.
If you are considering commissioning a new mural or a piece of street art on your property you must contact us to check that it will not breach our graffiti policy.
Street art and murals
We recognise that some people consider that street art makes a positive contribution to the urban environment. If your property has a piece of street art or a mural on it, you must contact us to let us know that you would like to keep it.
We will remove street art or graffiti if we believe it spoils the local environment or prevents people from enjoying the area. When deciding whether to allow it, we consider whether it is:
offensive, gang related, insulting or against public interest
likely to encourage more graffiti or tagging
inappropriate for the location or out of keeping with the surrounding area
a cause of complaints to the Council
on a listed building or in a conservation area
libellous or potentially libellous
Intimidating
If you are considering commissioning a new mural or a piece of street art on your property you must contact us to check that it will not breach our graffiti policy.
Dog fouling
It is an offence if you do not remove your pet’s poo from land within Hackney that is accessible to the public.
Failure to comply with the Public Spaces Protection Order may result in a £100 penalty and/or prosecution with a maximum fine up to £1,000.
People who are registered as blind, disabled, or otherwise rely on dogs, are exempt from this order.
Cleaning up after your dog
If you’re a dog owner, you must ensure that you clean any faeces that your dog leaves in a public place:
if your dog needs to go to the toilet while you’re out, use a pooper scooper
if you do not have a pooper scooper, you can use any plastic bag to clean up after your dog
if you’re not able to deposit the bag in a dog litter bin, you should double wrap the used scoop and dispose of it in a street litter bin or at home
We no longer need to provide dog litter bins solely for the disposal of dog faeces.
How we manage dog fouling
All cases of dog fouling reported to us are investigated within 48 hours of receiving the report.
Our street wardens, park rangers, the dog warden and our estate managers enforce dog fouling rules.
Where dog fouling is a major problem, we undertake high visibility patrols and leaflet the street and the surrounding area. We also place warning signs in the area to advise dog owners of the need to clean up when their dog has fouled there.
Fouling on council estates
Dog fouling on land owned by us is investigated by our estate managers. Ongoing offences can be referred to us. We will issue fixed penalty notices or start prosecution proceedings for repeat offenders.
Fouling within parks and recreational spaces
Parks and recreational staff manage first-time offences.
Continued breaches can be referred to us and we will take formal action as appropriate – this may include issuing fixed penalty notices or prosecution for repeat offenders.
Bonfire problems
The council is committed to reducing air pollution. Burning rubbish is the worst way to get rid of it – they release harmful chemicals into the air.
Special celebration fires such as Bonfire Night, Passover and Lohri
You should always try to attend an organised event rather than having an individual bonfire.
We will not normally take formal action in relation to bonfires held for religious or cultural celebrations, unless they cause a particular nuisance.
We provide special refuse collection arrangements for Passover.
How we manage bonfires
In the first instance, you should talk to the person who started the fire, explain your concerns and ask them to put it out.
If they refuse to put it out and the fire continues to cause a nuisance, contact us on 020 8356 4455 or email pollutionsupport@hackney.gov.uk.
If the fire is still burning, we will visit the location to see whether it is causing, or is likely to cause, a statutory nuisance.
If it is causing a nuisance, we can serve an abatement notice under the Environmental Protection Act 1990. Failure to comply with a notice can lead to prosecution and a fine.
If the bonfire is on an industrial, commercial or construction site, it may be an offence under the Clean Air Act 1993. This could lead to prosecution and a fine.
You can also take your own direct action under the Environmental Protection Act 1990 by placing a complaint in the magistrates’ court.
Other ways to dispose of garden rubbish and other unwanted items
composting is the best way of getting rid of garden rubbish or shredded wood – it’s great for your garden too
the brown bin scheme is for street-level properties in the borough – a fortnightly collection of garden rubbish
Fly-posting is putting posters on trees, street furniture, post boxes, walls, buildings and telephone boxes without our permission. It is illegal.
Things to tell us when reporting fly-posting
Let us know:
the location of the fly-posting
the day, date and time you saw the fly-posting
what the fly-posters were actually doing and what they looked like
any vehicles involved (their make, colour and registration number)
Litter
We have over 1000 litter bins and spend over £1 million a year cleaning the streets. You must not drop litter. You can receive a fine up to £2,500 for littering. Clean streets improve the image and atmosphere of a road.
Businesses’ responsibilities
Business owners should take steps to ensure their customers and employees do not drop litter in the area of their premises. This can include providing suitable bins and displaying posters (on the premises) promoting responsible behaviour. Business owners who do not take measures to tackle littering associated with their premises can face enforcement action under the Antisocial Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act 2014.
Page updated on: 19 April 2024
Community Safety, Business Regulation and Enforcement Service