Non compliance S46
You can also download the non-compliance S46 document for your records.
Communal Properties - Flats
Braintree District Council provides fortnightly general household waste collections, as standard unless an alternative collection schedule has been agreed, for residents living in purpose built blocks of flats and other communal properties. Recycling is collected on alternative fortnights, in line with the district’s new collection model. Communal food waste collections take place weekly.
For all existing and new developments and newly converted properties, collection frequencies will follow the district wide model for communal properties:
- General waste - fortnightly collections
- Dry recycling - alternate fortnightly collections
- Mixed recycling - alternate fortnightly collections
- Food waste - weekly collections
The Absorbent Hygiene Protection waste collection service (AHP) is not available to residents living in communal properties. This is due to the general waste collections remaining on fortnightly collections, or weekly where an alternative collection schedule has been agreed. The AHP collection service is available to assist residents with additional capacity for the disposal of absorbent hygiene products as the individual general waste collection schedule is moving to a 3 weekly collection. As this is not the case for communal properties, such products should be disposed of in the general waste communal bin, for collection every 2 weeks.
Food waste will be collected weekly from either 23 litre food bins or communal food waste bins, depending on what is supplied at the site.
Landlords / managing agents and housing associations are responsible for ensuring that the correct number and size of bins are provided for both refuse and recycling.
The Council will work with Landlords / managing agents and housing associations to ensure bin provision is suitable for the number of properties. In most cases, flats are supplied with shared communal bins, with capacity assessed based on the number of registered households. Landlords / managing agents and housing associations must ensure that sufficient, accessible storage space is available for the required bins.
Where access to the bin store (internal or external) is limited for collection vehicles or crews, the Council may request that the landlords / managing agents and housing associations present bins at an agreed collection point and return them to the bin store after collection.
Landlords / managing agents and housing associations are responsible for ensuring that bin stores are secure, safe, and adequately lit.
Large or hazardous items must not be placed inside communal bins. Examples include furniture, electrical items, vehicle parts, hazardous substances, builder’s rubble, and bulky DIY waste. These items must be disposed of through appropriate services, including the Council’s chargeable bulky waste collection service. This is currently available through the Council’s Customer Service team on 01376 552525. An online service is currently being developed and the details will be available in April 2026.
Bins must be presented with lids fully closed for safe emptying. Any items preventing the lid from closing will be removed and left in the bin store area. Excess or side waste is not permitted. If crews cannot safely access or empty a bin because of side waste or overflowing materials, the bin will not be emptied. Landlords / managing agents and housing associations must resolve the issue before the next scheduled collection. Once the area is cleared, bins will be emptied at the next scheduled collection.
Contaminated communal recycling bins i.e. containing materials not accepted in the Council’s recycling service, will not be emptied. Landlords / managing agents and housing associations must arrange for contamination to be removed. Once the contamination has been removed the bins will be emptied on the next scheduled collection if no contamination remains.
Similarly, communal food waste bins containing non food contents will be classified as contaminated and will not be emptied. They will be emptied on the next scheduled collection once contamination has been removed. Food contents will be classified as contaminated and will not be emptied. They will be emptied on the next scheduled collection once contamination has been removed.
If locks are installed on bin store gates or doors, they must be combination or keypad style. The code will be stored securely in the Council’s operational records so that crews can access the area. Physical keys, individual pattern locks or fobs are not permitted. All locking arrangements must be approved by Braintree District Council prior to installation.
Mixed Domestic / Commercial Properties
Properties that contain both commercial businesses and residential accommodation such as flats above shops or mixed use developments must have separate bin storage areas for domestic and commercial waste.
Managing agents / landlords must provide sufficient space on site for all waste streams to ensure residents receive the standard household waste service. Domestic bins must not be used for commercial waste under any circumstances.
Where flats above shops do not have access to communal bins, residents will be required to present their waste in sacks, boxes, or bins, at the designated collection point specified by the Council.
