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holiday home waste

holiday home waste

When we’re at home putting the bins and recycling out can sometimes be a chore. However it is certainly made easier than dealing with your holiday home waste by being there most of the time. Holiday homeowners often live a long distance from their holiday letting property, or perhaps only have the capacity to visit infrequently. So with this in mind how do you keep on top of your holiday home waste collection; and what are your obligations?

What are your obligations with respect to dealing with your holiday home waste?

By law, all businesses are required to take ‘all reasonable steps to ensure their waste is kept safe’; and when removed is ‘handled by a contractor authorised to collect, transfer, recycle or dispose of it safely.’

Unfortunately, waste disposal isn’t included within business rates. This is because it’s deemed fairer to charge businesses individually based on the quantity and type of waste they produce.

Is a holiday home a business?

The question is therefore, as a holiday cottage owner, are you a business?

The Controlled Waste (England and Wales) Regulations 2012 indicates that holiday lets and self-catering accommodation providers do qualify as a business. Therefore for the purpose of holiday home waste collection, holiday let owners should pay for a commercial waste service.

Full collection and disposal charges are applicable unless you receive the small business rates relief. It’s worth noting that many individual holiday lets do qualify; in which case you would only need to pay for the collection of the waste from your holiday cottage.

The benefits of commercial waste collection

There are a few benefits to having your holiday home waste collected commercially; such as

  • compliance with the waste regulations
  • increasing the frequency of collection during peak periods
  • matching collections to fit in on or before your changeover days

Saving money and increasing participation in recycling

When paying for your waste to be collected it goes without saying that in order to reduce costs, it’s important for you to reduce the amount of waste generated by your property.

But how do you actually do that in practice?  The answer is recycling although you’ll need to be savvy in getting your guests engaged when on holiday.

Although most of us will now recycle at home, attitudes can sometimes slip when we’re wanting to relax. Therefore making it as easy and simple as possible for your guests is vital to increasing their participation.

Clearly labeled or perhaps coloured containers are a must to make sure they know exactly what goes where. Also consider where you position them and if you welcome families into your cottage, whether it can be turned into a game to get everyone involved.

How do I organise a holiday home waste collection?

For more information on refuse collection please contact your local council for details of commercial waste contractors. Expect to pay a fee for a supply of commercial waste sacks and agree your collection days. It’s a good idea to make it clear to your guests when your holiday home waste and recycling will be collected and ask them politely if they will put the bags out in good time on the allocated day.

If you’d like to discuss how our specialist holiday home insurance can ensure your property has the cover it needs, please give our experienced team a call on 01237 429444.

 

A History of England in 100 Places

A History of England in 100 PlacesWhen it comes to culture and history there are few places in the world that can compete with England; it’s rich and unique tapestry of tradition attracts millions of visitors from around the world every year. Historic England in partnership with our holiday home insurance underwriter Ecclesiastical Insurance are now asking for your help in creating the History of England in 100 Places.

They’re currently looking for people to nominate the historical hotspots that they love or that are local to them to be promoted in a handbook to be launched and heavily promoted in July 2018.

There will be 10 different categories, with each category being whittled down to just 10 entrants by celebrity judges including Lord Robert Winston, Dame Tanni Grey-Thompson and George Clarke.

Why suggest your local landmark?

As a holiday cottage owner, you’ll know that local landmarks and attractions draw crowds. Whether your holiday cottage is in Stratford and a stone’s throw from the birthplace of one of the greatest playwright’s the world has ever seen, or you’re close to the historical mine in Cornwall currently being made famous by Aiden Turner in Poldark, you’re likely to see visitor numbers increased by your proximity. Nominating your local landmarks gives your location the chance to be further promoted and for you to enjoy the rise in visitor numbers.

How do you submit an entry?

The good news is that it’s quick and easy to nominate your local landmark or historical hotspot. All you need to do is visit the link below and hit the NOMINATE NOW button:

A History of England in 100 Places – categories:

A full list of categories is as follows:

How well do you know our history? 

Ecclesiastical has been a strong supporter of Historic England (part of English Heritage) for over 20 years, enjoying a close working partnership from sharing advice and expertise on technical issues through to supporting initiatives and events. The partnership between these two organisations is due to their mutual respect and passion for historical buildings and places.

Boshers offer specialist holiday home insurance to owners across the UK. Require a quote for your holiday apartment, cottage or complex? Please give us a call on 01237 429444.