Any person or business that operates a site in Watford buying and selling scrap metal and motor salvage, or who collects door to door within Watford, must be licensed.
Applicants must provide:
- a completed application form (PDF 130kB)
- details of the bank account/s that will be used for payments
- criminal record disclosures for each applicant, partner or director, and site manager
- the fee
You must also state how you will verify your customers’ details and keep this information secure.
Please see our guidance notes (PDF 167kB) for information on how to complete the application form.
Obtain your basic criminal records disclosures online. Your disclosure must be no more than one month old when you apply.
Licences last for three years. Applications will be refused if:
- the applicant or site manager have criminal convictions
- a licence has previously been breached, refused or revoked
- an environmental permit has previously been breached, refused or revoked
- the applicant is unable to show that they will comply with the Scrap Metal Dealer’s Act 2013
Things you need to know
- You must obtain a waste transfer licence from the Environment Agency and may also need other permits depending upon your business.
- You may also need to register with the Information Commission.
- We aim to inform you of the outcome of your application within 25 working days. You may assume you have been successful if you have not heard from us within this time frame.
- It is illegal to pay cash for any scrap metal or motor salvage.
- Dealers must keep records of all items they receive and sell, and must confirm the identity of the sellers and record this information too.
- If a site manager changes, a new manager must be named.
- A collectors licence only allows the licence holder to collect in the area covered by their licence.
- A site licence allows the licence holder to operate a site and to collect from anywhere.
- You must confirm your tax registration status when applying for a licence.
Renewals
You must ensure that your scrap metal licence, whether it is a site licence or a collectors licence, is renewed before it expires in order to continue operating in selling and collecting scrap metal and motor salvage. If your licence expires, you must stop operating until such time as your licence is renewed.
It is suggested that you apply at least 6 weeks before your licence expires. This is to allow adequate time for all of your checks to be completed, for consultation to take place with the Police and the relevant environmental agencies, and for the licensing authority to make a decision on your application.
You will not lose time from your licence if you renew earlier. Your new licence will start from the expiry date of your existing licence.
Licences last for three years. Renewals will be refused if:
- the applicant or site manager have criminal convictions
- a licence has previously been breached, refused or revoked
- an environmental permit has previously been breached, refused or revoked
- the applicant is unable to show that they will comply with the Scrap Metal Dealer’s Act 2013
Fees
The fees are the same for both licences. A new licence costs £318.01
A licence variation, change of name, address, and replacement licence, all cost £65.10
The renewal fee is the same for both licences. A renewal costs £246.58
Please note that we can only accept payment by credit and debit card or by bank transfer. If you wish to pay by bank transfer, please contact the licensing team for our bank details.
Appeals
Appeals against decisions to refuse a licence or to add conditions to a licence may be made to the magistrates’ court within 21 days of a decision.
