Illegal dumping scam leaves landlord facing $2 million cleanup bill
A landlord discovered 5500 tonnes of industrial waste illegally dumped on his property. The cleanup could cost him $2 million.
Jacob Cheu rented his Sunbury property to a tenant who said they wanted it for horses and family use. After four months, he found huge amounts of industrial waste including asbestos.
A fire broke out on the site. The Environmental Protection Authority arrived and confirmed the illegal dumping.
Under Victorian law, Cheu could face cleanup costs. This is true even though he had nothing to do with it.
Industry experts say rent-to-dump schemes are booming. They cost about $1100 compared to about $9000 at legal waste sites.
Cheu's tenant used a fake name and fled to another state. The EPA is investigating.
- 5500 tonnes
- Waste amount
- $2 million
- Cleanup cost
- 38 kilometres
- Distance from Melbourne
- $1100 vs $9000 legal
- Illegal dumping cost
Why it mattersLandlords face financial risk when tenants use their properties for illegal waste disposal. Enforcement is slow, so contamination keeps building up at these sites.
AustraliaProperty owners in Victoria and across Australia face potential liability for illegal dumping on their land even when they had no knowledge or involvement.
✓ Claims checked against the source and corrected before publish. checked 3 h ago
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