Scrap metal dealer licence

To run a scrap metal business you must be licensed by the council.

Types of licence

There are two types of scrap metal licence:

Site licence

A site licence authorises the licensee to carry on business at any site in the authority’s area which is identified on the licence. All the sites where the applicant carries on business as a scrap metal dealer must be identified and a site manager must be appointed for each site.   

This licence allows the licensee to transport scrap metal to and from those sites from any local authority area.   

A site is the place where scrap metal is bought and sold, even if it isn’t the place where the scrap metal is stored. So, if you own several places in Leeds where you buy or sell scrap metal, each place will need to be included on your site licence application. If you buy scrap metal door to door, and do not have a place where you buy or sell the metal then you will need a collector’s licence instead.   

Collector’s licence

A collector’s licence authorises the licensee to carry on business as a mobile collector in the authority’s area. A mobile collector is a person who:   

  • a) carries on business as a scrap metal dealer otherwise than at a site, and
  • b) regularly engages, in the course of that business, in collecting waste materials and old, broken, worn out or defaced articles by means of visits from door to door

This allows the licensee to operate in the issuing local authority area. It does not allow the collector to operate in any other local authority area, so a separate licence must be obtained from each council the collector wishes to operate in.   

The licence does not authorise the licensee to operate a site where scrap metal is bought and sold. To do so they will need a site licence.   

Fees


 Fee
New application £181
Variation (from site to collector)
 £181
Renewal £183
Change of details (such as site manager or address) £44
Replacement licence £44

Apply or renew

A scrap metal dealer licence lasts for 3 years.

Site licence:

Apply for a scrap metal dealer licence online

Collector's licence:

Request a collector's licence application online

After you have completed the form and we have received your application, we will contact you to arrange to take payment. We will then process your application.

The process for renewing an existing licence is the same as applying for a new licence.

What to submit with your application

When applying for or renewing your licence, you will need to include:

  • a copy of the basic criminal record disclosure for each sole proprietor, partner, company director and named site manager if a share code has not been provided
  • photographic evidence of identification for each sole proprietor, partner, company director and named site manager. This could be passport, driving licence or other official government photographical document
  • proof of address such as a utility bill or bank statement for each sole proprietor, partner, company director and named site manager
  • a copy of any other licence or permit that has been declared in this application
  • an email address

What happens next

Under the Scrap Metal Dealers Act 2013, we must not issue or renew a scrap metal licence unless we're satisfied that the applicant is a suitable person to carry on business as a scrap metal dealer.

What the council may consider when checking suitability

We may consider:   

  • if the applicant, partners, or any site manager has been convicted of any relevant offences
  • if the applicant or site manager has been the subject of any relevant enforcement action
  • any previous refusal of an application for a scrap metal licence, environmental permit, or licence
  • any previous revocation of a scrap metal licence
  • if the applicant has demonstrated that they have adequate procedures in place
  • if the applicant has obtained the relevant authorisation such as a waste carrier licence or planning permission
  • any other information that they think is relevant

We'll process your application and consult with the following agencies:   

  • West Yorkshire Police
  • British Transport Police
  • any relevant local authority
  • Environment Agency
  • any other relevant authority, including the Planning Authority

If your application is for a site licence, one of our Senior Liaison and Enforcement Officers may wish to visit the site.   

After all the checks have been completed and there are no concerns, your licence will be granted within 28 days of receipt of the application.

If your licence is refused

If your licence application is refused, we will write to you to let you know. You will also have the opportunity of appearing before the officer appointed by the authority.

You have the right of appeal to any decision of the council to the Magistrate’s Court within 21 days from the when the notice of decision was given.

If you have been granted a licence

Displaying the licence

It is a requirement of the Act that all licences are kept on display. For a site licence this should be kept on display at the site. A mobile collector must display a copy of the licence in their vehicle so that it can be read by a person outside the vehicle.   

We can also provide a collector with a card which shows that they are licensed as a collector. If you would like this, please make sure you provide a passport sized photograph we can use on the card.   

Identification of supplier’s identity

You must not take in scrap metal from a person without verifying the person’s full name and address. You must check the name and address by looking at documents obtained from a reliable source, such as a driving licence, passport or energy bill.   

Record keeping

The Scrap Metal Dealers Act places a requirement on all licensees, whether they are operating a site, or operating as a collector, to keep accurate records of the metal they receive and dispose of.   

Guidance notes on record keeping

This should be used as a guidance tool. Only the courts can give an authoritative opinion on statute law.   

Scrap Metal Dealers Act 2012

Purpose

The purpose of this guidance note is to provide information to scrap metal dealers on the requirements for keeping record about scrap metal they receive and dispose of.   

Verification of Seller Identity

A scrap metal dealer must not receive scrap metal from a person without verifying the person’s full name and address.   

That verification must be by reference to documents, data or other information obtained from a reliable and independent source, which either:   

  • bear the person’s full name, photograph and residential address:
    • a valid Great Britain or Northern Ireland photo-card driving licence or
  • both a document which bears the person full name, photograph and date of birth (but not address)
  • a valid United Kingdom passport
  • a valid passport issued by an EEA state
  • a valid UK biometric immigration document and a supporting document which bears the person’s full name and residential address
  • a bank or building society statement
  • a credit or debit card statement
  • a council tax demand letter or statement
  • a utility bill, but not a mobile phone bill

All documents must be dated no later than three months before the date the scrap metal was received by the scrap metal dealer.   

Receipt of Metal

As a licensed scrap metal dealer, you are required to keep written records. For every item of scrap metal you receive you must record:   

  • The description of the metal including:
    • it's type (or types if mixed)
    • form
    • condition
    • weight
    • any identifying mark which identify the previous owners
    • any distinguishing features
  • the date and time of its receipt
  • if the metal is delivered in or on a vehicle, its registration mark
  • if the metal is received from a person, the full name and address of that person
  • if the dealer pays for the metal, the full name of the person who makes the payment acting for the dealer

If you receive the metal from a person you must keep a copy of any document which you use to verify the name or address of that person.   

If you pay for the metal by cheque, you must keep a copy of the cheque. If you pay for the metal by electronic transfer you must keep the receipt identifying the transfer, or if no receipt was obtained, you must record the particulars identifying the transfer.   

Disposal of metal

If you dispose of the metal, i.e. by selling it on to someone else, you must record:   

  • whether or not it is in the same form in which it was received
  • whether or not the disposal is to another person
  • whether or not the metal is despatched from a site

If you dispose of the metal in the course of business under a site licence, you must record the following information:   

  • the description of the metal, including its type (or types if mixed), form and weight
  • the date and time of its disposal
  • if the disposal is to another person, the full name and address of that person
  • if the dealer receives payment for the metal (whether by way of sale or exchange), the price or other consideration received

If you dispose of metal in the course of business under a collector’s licence, you must record the following information:   

  • the date and time of the disposal
  • if the disposal is to another person, the full name and address of that person

The records must be kept in a way that allows the information and the scrap metal to which it relates to be readily identified by reference to each other. You must keep the records for three years.   

You can keep these records in any form. This may be in a bound book and handwritten, in a file, or on the computer.   

If you do not keep the records as described in this guidance note, and in the Scrap Metal Dealers Act 2013, then the scrap metal dealer, the site manager and anyone who has responsibility for keeping the records will be guilty of an offence.   

A person guilty of this offence is liable, on summary conviction, to a fine. For your information the amount of the fine is unlimited.   

Receipt of metal

As a licensed scrap metal dealer, you are required to keep written records. For every item of scrap metal you receive you must record: 

  • The description of the metal including:
    • Its type (or types if mixed)
    • Form
    • Condition
    • Weight
    • Any identifying mark which identify the previous owners
    • Any distinguishing features
  • The date and time of its receipt
  • If the metal is delivered in or on a vehicle, its registration mark
  • If the metal is received from a person, the full name and address of that person
  • If the dealer pays for the metal, the full name of the person who makes the payment acting for the dealer

If you receive the metal from a person you must keep a copy of any document which you use to verify the name or address of that person. 

If you pay for the metal by cheque, you must keep a copy of the cheque. If you pay for the metal by electronic transfer you must keep the receipt identifying the transfer, or if no receipt was obtained, you must record the particulars identifying the transfer. 

Cash sales

You must not pay for scrap metal with cash. You can only pay either by cheque or bank transfer.    

Disposal of metal

When you dispose of the metal you must keep accurate records including the description of the metal, the date and time of the disposal, who you gave or sold it to and the price you received.    

Variations

You can apply to the council to change your licence from a site licence to a collector’s licence and vice versa. You can also apply to change any details on your licence, for example name of licensee, change to the sites or the details of the site manager.   

You are not able to vary the licence so that it relates to another person, for example if a business is sold. In that case a new licence must be applied for and the old licence surrendered.   

Offences

If a licence holder is convicted of a relevant offence, or if the Council find out about any other information that may make them think that someone is no longer suitable to hold a licence, they can revoke the licence. If this is the case then the licence holder will be given the opportunity to give their side of the story by attending a meeting with officers before the licence is revoked.   

How we use your personal data

Sharing information

The Council and the West Yorkshire police are Joint Data Controllers of the information you provide. The Council and the West Yorkshire Police have a statutory duty to process and maintain licences and permissions and conduct enforcement activities in accordance with the Scrap Metal Dealers Act 2013 as part of a legal obligation to meet the statutory requirements for the licensing of scrap metal dealers.   

We may share the following information with other third parties: details of site or collectors licensed, licence status, the names, addresses and company numbers of persons and companies named on a licence, details of vehicles being used in operation of the business. This information may be shared with other services in the council including Environmental Action Services.   

In addition we will share with external third party organisations including government departments, West Yorkshire Police, British Transport Police, Home Office, Information Commissioners Office (for National Fraud Initiative), Department of Work and Pensions, HM Revenues and Customs, The Health and Safety Executive, West Yorkshire Joint Services, Businesses Against Crime in Leeds, Leeds BID, West Yorkshire Fire Service, The Environment Agency, and West Yorkshire Police in order to make further enquiries regarding your application or where required by law for the detection and prevention of crime.   

The personal information you provide as part of your application for a scrap metal dealers licence will be held for a period of 6 years following the termination of the licence.   

The council’s corporate privacy notice, which includes details of the authority’s Data Protection Officer and your information rights is available online.   

The West Yorkshire Police full privacy notice can be found on their website.   

Making a complaint

Should you have cause for complaint in relation to a scrap metal dealer, we would always recommend that you write to the business first. If that does not work, please contact us and providing it is a matter covered by the legislation, we can investigate the complaint for you.   

Contact us

Email

entertainment.licensing@leeds.gov.uk

Phone

0113 378 5029

Post

Entertainment Licensing
Leeds City Council
Civic Hall
Leeds
LS1 1UR