How Property Owners Can Protect Against Fly-Tipping

Fly-tipping on private land in England. Property owners are legally responsible for clearing illegally dumped waste. Photo: GOV.UK

What is fly-tipping?

Fly-tipping is the illegal dumping of household, commercial, or industrial waste. It is the pile of rubbish left at the roadside, in a farmer’s field, or dumped on private land.

For property owners, it is more than an eyesore, it is a costly and growing problem.

How Big is the Problem?

Fly-tipping is on the rise across England. In 2020/21, there were 1.13 million reported incidents, a 16% increase on the previous year (DEFRA). Most involve small loads that could fit in a car boot or van, but even large scale incidents, tipper lorry loads or more, occur around 34,000 times a year.

The cost is staggering. The government estimates more than £58 million a year is spent on clearing fly tipping from public land.

For private landowners, costs can be even higher, with some incidents exceeding £200,000 when hazardous materials are involved.

Why Landlords and Property Owners Are Vulnerable

Unfortunately, local councils and the Environment Agency are not responsible for clearing waste on private property.

That burden falls solely on the property owner. Insurance may cover some costs, but where hazardous materials are involved, ie: asbestos, chemicals, oils, and biological waste, disposal requires specialist contractors.

How to Protect Your Property Against Fly-Tipping

The majority of fly tipping is opportunistic. If criminals see easy vehicle access to your property, it becomes a target. By putting barriers in place, you can make your site harder to reach and less appealing.

1. Secure the Perimeter

• Install security fencing, gates, and anti-vehicle barriers (such as concrete blocks).

• Use prohibition signage to highlight restricted access.

  
  

  See how V-Mesh fencing prevents fly-tipping in our case study

  
  

2. Harden the Property

• Use steel security screens and metal doors to prevent buildings from looking abandoned.

• Add locks, lighting, and anti-climb measures to reinforce access points.

  
  

  Learn more about steel security screens for vacant property

  
  

3. Monitor the Site Regularly

• Carry out inspections to ensure fencing and barriers are intact.

• Quick reporting of maintenance issues prevents sites appearing neglected.

  
  

4. Maintain the Property’s Appearance

• A well-kept site is less likely to attract criminal behaviour.

• The “Broken Windows Theory” suggests visible neglect encourages further crime.

  
  

5. Deploy Security Technology

• CCTV towers and monitored cameras deter offenders and provide evidence.

• For de-energised sites, off-grid systems such as solar-powered CCTV towers, PIDs (Perimeter Intrusion Detection), and video verification (e.g. Reconeyez) provide reliable detection.

  
  

  Explore our Sentinel CCTV towers for off-grid protection.

Conclusion

Fly-tipping is a persistent problem for UK property owners, especially those with vacant land or unused buildings.

By securing boundaries, maintaining appearances, and investing in technology, landlords can deter opportunists and reduce the risk of becoming an easy target.

For a no-obligation security assessment, speak to Propertysec today on 01293 804781.

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