TV disposal for landlords and letting agents: what the law says and how to handle it

Updated 6 November 2026 · By the TV Disposal team

Short answer: Landlords must not put old TVs in general waste and, if they are disposing of them as part of a business, must use an authorised waste carrier and keep a waste transfer note. A TV left behind by a former tenant still belongs to them, so in England and Wales landlords normally need to give written notice and a reasonable chance to collect it before disposing of it. Collection usually costs £25 to £70 per TV.

TV disposal for landlords and letting agents: what the law says and how to handle it

Two types of TV in a rental

Landlords deal with two situations. The first is a TV the landlord supplied as part of a furnished let, which belongs to the landlord and is replaced when it fails or becomes outdated. The second is a TV left behind by a tenant when they move out, which in law usually still belongs to the tenant. The rules for getting rid of each are different, and mixing them up is one of the most common sources of disputes at the end of a tenancy.

TVs you supplied

If you provide a TV in a furnished property, it is your equipment. Electrical safety rules for private rented homes in England require fixed electrical installations to be inspected and tested at least every five years. Supplied appliances such as TVs are not covered by that requirement, but landlords still have a general duty to make sure anything they provide is safe, and many choose portable appliance testing as good practice.

When a supplied TV is replaced, the old one is waste from your letting business. That means it should go to an authorised waste carrier with a waste transfer note, rather than being left on the street or taken to a household recycling centre that does not accept business waste.

TVs left behind by tenants

In England and Wales, goods left behind by a former tenant are dealt with under the Torts (Interference with Goods) Act 1977. Before disposing of them, a landlord normally needs to give the former owner written notice describing the items, where they are, and the date after which they will be disposed of, allowing a reasonable time to collect them. Scotland and Northern Ireland have their own rules. Some tenancy agreements also include clauses on abandoned items.

Photograph the TV and any other items left behind
Send written notice to the former tenant's forwarding address and email if known
Give a reasonable deadline for collection, commonly at least 14 days
Keep a copy of the notice and any reply
Store the items safely during the notice period
Arrange disposal once the deadline has passed

This is general guidance, not legal advice. If the value of items is significant or a dispute is likely, take advice from a solicitor or a landlord association.

Disposal options compared

Option	Suits	Points to note
Registered waste carrier collection	Most landlords and agents	Paperwork provided, collected from inside the property
Council bulky waste collection	Some private landlords	Many councils only collect from householders, check the rules
Household waste recycling centre	Landlords living locally	Business waste may be refused or charged
Reuse or donation	Recent working TVs	Factory reset first, and check the item is safe
Retailer take-back	When buying a replacement	Ask at the point of sale

Before a TV leaves the property

Factory reset smart TVs to remove the previous tenant's accounts and Wi-Fi details
Take out remote batteries and any USB drives or viewing cards
Note whether the TV was wall mounted and whether the bracket stays for the next tenant
Check the inventory so a supplied TV is recorded as removed
Arrange collection between tenancies so the property is clear for viewings

Wall-mounted TVs and damage

Tenants sometimes mount TVs without permission. When the TV goes, the bracket and fixing holes remain. Whether the tenant can be asked to cover the cost of making good depends on the tenancy agreement and the check-in inventory. Taking clear photos at check-out and getting a written quote for removal and making good helps if a claim is disputed.

Making it easy across a portfolio

Agents and portfolio landlords often batch TV and electrical removals across several properties into a single collection, which keeps the cost per item down. Keeping a simple record of each property, the items removed, the date and the waste transfer note makes compliance straightforward if you are ever asked.

Agree in advance who can authorise a collection at each property
Give the collector key or access arrangements for empty properties
Ask for the paperwork to list the property address for each item
Store copies of notices to former tenants with the collection records
Review supplied TVs at each change of tenancy and replace faulty sets promptly

Deciding whether to supply a TV at all is also worth thinking about. Many tenants now bring their own screens, and a supplied TV adds an item to check, maintain and eventually dispose of. Where a TV is supplied, a modest wall bracket fitted properly into the wall, or a sturdy stand, reduces the chance of tenants drilling their own fixings.