Whether you’re doing home DIY, moving offices or planning a large construction project, hiring a skip is an easy and convenient way to deal with waste.
However, there are certain skip hire rules and regulations that you need to be aware of. Failure to follow these rules could result in additional charges or fines.
If you’re hiring a skip for the first time or planning a project that’s larger than usual, here are the skip hire rules and regulations you need to know.
If you’re hiring a skip for a home project, you can simply place it on your driveway or private path, provided there’s enough space.
You can’t place a skip on a public pavement. But if it doesn’t fit on your land, you can keep your skip on a public road if you get a skip hire permit (more on this later).
Most licences require that your skip:
You’ll also need to make sure there’s enough room for your skip hire company to deliver and collect your skip.
Skips are usually delivered by a 7.5 tonne heavy goods vehicle. These are much wider than regular cars. So speak with your skip hire company before you hire if you have a gateway or narrow road that could restrict access.
Also, be aware that soft tarmac and block paving can be damaged by skips. If the surface in question is a public space owned by your local council, you could be liable for any damage your skip causes.
For smaller skips, you can prevent damage by laying down scaffolding planks. But for larger ones, speak with your skip hire company for advice on where to keep your skip to prevent damage.
If you’re placing a skip on land you privately own, such as a driveway or front garden, you don’t need a skip hire permit (sometimes called a skip hire licence). But you need a permit when hiring a skip if you plan to place it on a public road, pavement or grass verge.
In addition to a skip hire permit, you’ll also need to pay for daily parking suspension if you need to keep your skip in a Controlled Parking Zone (CPZ). This is a part of the road on which you can only park under certain conditions, such as:
You can be fined up to £1,000 for placing a skip on a public road without permission. So make sure you get your skip hire permit well in advance.
You can apply for a skip hire permit through your local council. Prices vary depending on where you live, ranging from £15 to £180+ per 14-day period.
It also takes a few days for the council to process your application. So remember to submit your application with plenty of time to spare.
When you hire a skip through Hazell & Jefferies Ltd, we apply for a skip hire permit and any required CPZ suspension on your behalf as part of your skip hire fee. That means you can avoid the hassle of submitting an application and have confidence that it’s done correctly first time.
Skip hire lets you safely dispose of a wide variety of waste. That includes construction waste, metal, glass, furniture, garden waste and plastics.
But there are certain items and types of waste that you can’t put in a skip. That’s because these need to be disposed of in specific ways to prevent harm to the environment and human health.
You can be fined for putting restricted items into your skip. And your skip hire company may charge an additional fee to dispose of the waste correctly.
Common types of waste that you can’t put in a skip include:
Any item or substance considered to be hazardous waste is also prohibited.
When you hire a skip, people may be tempted to dump their own waste into it.
Unfortunately, if any restricted items are found after your skip hire company comes to collect, they’ll be considered your responsibility. That means you may need to pay a fine or for appropriate disposal.
To prevent this issue, it’s recommended that you use a skip cover overnight. Better yet, you can hire a closed skip that you can lock.
Sealing your skip also keeps dust and light waste from blowing out into the surrounding area. If this happens, you may be charged with littering.
Your skip hire company is responsible for meeting most skip hire safety requirements. But it helps to be familiar with them to avoid fines and have confidence that your chosen provider is knowledgeable and trustworthy.
General safety requirements for skip hire include:
Otherwise, be sure to fill your skip correctly and avoid overloading your skip to ensure it doesn’t become unsafe for others.
Homeowners, businesses and construction contractors alike come to Hazell & Jefferies Ltd in Oxford for convenient, cost-effective and eco-friendly skip hire.
We offer a wide variety of skip sizes to suit any project, from 4 cubic yard standard skips for small domestic projects to 40 cubic yard roll-on roll-off bins for major construction works. And once your skip is full, we take it to our Oxfordshire recycling centre for compliant sorting and disposal.Hire a skip in Oxfordshire and the surrounding areas today with Hazell & Jefferies Ltd, your trusted local skip hire company.
