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