Landlord fined for fly tipping fridges on his own land

A landlord has been fined for failing to clear a huge pile of fridges from the front garden of his empty rental property.

North East Lincolnshire Council found that the fridges and other items of rubbish had been fly-tipped at the home in Buller Street, Grimsby (pictured), in September 2024.

Officers tried several times to get in touch with landlord Kenneth Goudie, issuing him with warning letters, but he didn’t respond and was handed a Section 215 Notice.

This requires the property owner to remove and clear any waste that may be causing a nuisance to neighbouring properties or the wider community - even if they have not put the waste there themselves.

Guilty

Goudie, 59, of Ings Lane in Grimsby, failed to comply which led to a hearing at Grimsby Magistrates Court where he was found guilty in his absence.

The landlord was ordered to pay a fine of £440, victim surcharge of £176 and legal costs of £340, totalling £956. The council has now removed the waste.

Councillor Ron Shepherd, portfolio holder for safer and stronger communities, says the case is a perfect example of the council’s zero-tolerance to rubbish. “Fly-tipping will not be tolerated in North East Lincolnshire,” he adds.

“Whether you have dumped the waste or own the land it has been left on, you still have a responsibility. I hope this is a lesson to those who feel they can dump their waste anywhere.”