One of the most important checks you can make before booking any house clearance company in Yorkshire is whether they hold a valid Environment Agency Waste Carrier Licence. This guide explains what the licence is, why it matters, and how to verify it takes under two minutes.
What is a Waste Carrier Licence?
A Waste Carrier Licence is issued by the Environment Agency and gives a business legal authority to transport controlled waste — which includes household furniture, appliances, and most clearance waste — for hire or reward. Without one, transporting controlled waste for payment is illegal under the Environmental Protection Act 1990. Any professional house clearance company should hold an Upper Tier registration.
Why does it matter who booked the clearance?
This is the point most homeowners and executors do not realise: if you commission a clearance and the operator fly-tips the waste, you can be held liable as the person who arranged the removal. The duty of care under Section 34 of the Environmental Protection Act 1990 applies to the original waste producer — that is you, the homeowner or executor. Using an unlicensed operator does not remove your liability. It creates it.
How to verify a Waste Carrier Licence
The Environment Agency operates a public register at environment.data.gov.uk/public-register. Search by company name or licence number. A legitimate company will provide their licence number without hesitation before any booking is confirmed.
CL Clearances holds Waste Carrier Licence CBDU291452, verifiable on the Environment Agency register. Charlotte Leighton personally attends every clearance and can provide documentation at any stage of the booking process.
Red flags when comparing house clearance companies in Yorkshire
- They cannot or will not provide a licence number
- They advertise only on Facebook groups with no traceable business address
- They quote significantly below market rate and accept cash only
- They do not provide anything in writing before starting work
Licensed house clearance across Yorkshire
CL Clearances provides licensed house clearance across Yorkshire and East Yorkshire. All waste goes to licensed transfer stations and documentation is available on request. Coverage includes Howden, Hull, Goole, Doncaster, York, Scunthorpe, Beverley, and Selby. Call 07783 430775 to discuss your clearance.