Running a holiday let or business from home?
It's illegal for businesses to dispose of commercial waste using the Council's household waste services.
All businesses, no matter how small, must pay a licenced commercial waste collector.
The law applies to:
- holiday lets
- small businesses run from home
- all types of commercial waste no matter how small the amount
You also need to follow these rules if you rent out
- a room in your home as self-catering accommodation
- your whole home, an annexe, caravan, shepherd’s hut and so on
as self-catering accommodation – either for a few weeks in the summer or all year round.
Even if you live at the same address, the law sees this as a mixed-use property. This means you must separate:
- your own household waste
- commercial waste from your guests or business
What You Need to Do
- You must use a licensed commercial collection service
- You still need to pay for this service, even if you already pay council tax on the property
- Good news: if your property is council tax rated, you may be eligible for a discounted rate through Cornwall Council’s Commercial Waste Service
Need Help?
- Check out the Right Waste Right Place Guide for practical advice on staying compliant
- Visit Defra’s website to understand your legal responsibilities and check if your business complies with the law