I have recently received a letter from the local council regarding rubbish in my garden, threatning me with legal action if i dont do something about it. This is a mortgaged property which i have lived in for nearly 9 years.
i have already aranged for the item to be collected (this was arranged the day after I put the 3 piece suite out via the councils collection service and will be collected on 2/2/13) prior to the visit and the letter
i had no notification they were or had visited until i recived the letter last week
Loads of people can access your property without your permission including the gas board or electricity board (if they think there is a danger from one or the other) also the police, customs, border control and many more.
I am sure the council can if they have justification.
Sounds like one of your neighbours has complained and the council has sent out a standard letter. Give them a ring and let them know that collection had already been arranged and the due date. There should not be any further problems. Only when you do not take any action will they follow through and take legal proceedings. I believe they can go ahead and do the work themselves and bill you for the costs.
Don't worry. They came round mine once regarding the rubbish (probably a malicious report from the ex MIL two doors down) He just had a look to make sure there was no food waste and asked what are plans were.
He could clearly see that rooms in the house were being renovated and it was all building waste. We said we'd hire a skip as soon as we're done, he was happy with that.