Six little-known fines including bin collection error that could cost you hundreds of pounds – and how to avoid them
SURPRISES are not always good, especially when they could leave you out of pocket.
An unexpected fine could land on your doorstep as a result of little-known rules – from bin collection errors to being in the wrong train carriage.
Even taking your dog for a walk could mean forking out cash if you’re not aware of how things work.
Here we explain what you need to know and how to avoid hundreds of pounds in extra costs.
Fly-tipping – £400
If bins are overflowing after Christmas think again about disposing of it elsewhere – you could be slapped with a fine for hundreds of pounds.
Several sites at supermarkets and in car parks offer recycling for reasonable amounts of cans, glass, paper and plastic.
If they are full don’t be tempted to leave your trash next to it as you could be issued a penalty for fly-tipping.
You can also be fined up to £400 for dumping the wrong waste too.
North Hertfordshire Council has issued a similar warning that residents face a £400 fine for fly-tipping if they don’t dispose of their rubbish in the right way.
You can check out more about bin collection rules over the festive season in our guide.
Dog not microchipped – £500
Anyone with a furry friend needs to make sure their dog is microchipped.
Without one you could be fined as much as £500 and even be taken to court.
The rules have been in place since 2016 for dogs and have been mooted for cats too, though have not yet come into force for felines.
The government has consulted on cat microchipping rules and had said they will come into force in England in 2023, but a date has not yet been set.
Dropping litter, food waste, cigarettes and chewing gum – up to £150
Local authorities can issue fines of up to £150 for “environmental offences” like dropping litter, including food waste, cigarette butts and chewing gum.
Brits face a postcode lottery when it comes to fines for littering though.
Some councils dishing out thousands every year – and others ZERO.
Merton council gave out more than 8,000 fixed penalty notices (FPNs) in 2021 – more than any other area.
Around 5,600 residents issued with a notice (70%) paid the £150 penalty, which is reduced to £100 if settled within 10 days.
Thousands of fines were issued by a handful of councils – but at least 17 councils have dished out ZERO fines over the past year for littering.
Of course to avoid a fine you should dispose of your rubbish in a bin, or keep it with you until you find one or return home.
Anyone who gets an FPN for littering can challenge it, for instance if you think it’s a mistake.
There’s no formal way to appeal and you’ll have to ask the council to consider why you don’t owe the money
You’ll usually need to provide evidence of why you don’t need to pay it, and the council should provide details of how to do that in the penalty notice.
You can also choose not to pay it, but you risk being taken to court and being told to pay a larger amount than the original fine.
Not having a train ticket – £100
Passengers who fail to produce a valid train ticket could be fined £100 within days.
From January 2023 the upfront penalty charge is rising from £20 under National Rail rules.
Of course to avoid such a fine, you simply need to make sure you buy a ticket or tap in before you travel.
You can also be fined if you travel beyond the station you’re ticket is valid for, or for travelling in first class without paying for it.
If you think you’ve been fined unfairly, you can appeal a penalty notice – each train operator has it’s own way to do this.
Urinating in a public place – from £60
If you don’t use a the proper facilities, you can end up being find hundreds of pounds for urinating in a public place.
Public urination as an offence comes under the by-laws of individual local authorities across the country under Section 235 of the Local Government Act 1972.
So how much you can get fined varies depending on the local council.
In some cases, police officers may also issue a Penalty Notice for Disorder (PND) under Section 5 of the Public Order Act 1986 for urinating in public with fines beginning at £60.
Walking your dog on the beach – £100 or more
Pet-loving pup owners need to beware rules if they’re heading to the coast.
At some times of the year, you’ll not be allowed to take your dog on some beaches under local council rules.
They’re allowed to do this under what’s known as “Public Spaces Protection Orders” (PSPO).
People who are caught flouting the rules could be hit with an on the spot fine of £100.
But this could rise to a whopping £1,000 if the case goes to court.
The good news is that it’s usually at the busier times of year in summer that the rules apply, so a winter walk is likely to be ok.
But it’s worth double checking the rules for the location you’re visiting just in case.