Residents' permits

A residents’ permit allows you to park in residents’ bays, permit bays and appropriate multi-use bays in the zone where your address is situated. The vehicle may be parked for unlimited time in the zone printed on the permit and you may also park in these bays in any other zone in Tower Hamlets for up to three hours in any one day. Only one visit to a different zone is allowed in any one day. Please note that the number printed after the letter that indicates your zone (e.g. A1, B2) does NOT at the moment affect where you can park with your residents’ permit, although that may change in the future.

Residents’ permits are not valid in estate parking areas (you should apply to your housing office for a numbered off-street bay) and do not guarantee a parking space. Permits are NOT issued for residents living in car free developments.
If you are moving in or out of the borough, you can apply for a free parking dispensation, which will enable you to park outside your home on the day of your move.

Displaying a Permit: Change in policy for Motorcyclists

A new scheme has been introduced for Motorcyclists whereby they no longer need to display their permit on their motorcycle.Instead details of all valid Residents Motorcycle Permits will be loaded to the Civil Enforcement Officer's handheld terminal. This will allow a quick check to be made for a valid permit being in existence instead of actually having to see it. A standard Residents' Permit will be issued (rather than the special round permit previously issued) as a record and proof of purchase for the customer. The scheme has been introduced following the views of motorcyclist who have expressed concerns over the theft and ease of display of their permit. The scheme was introduced on 16 July.

• Who qualifies for residents’ parking permits
• How much do residents’ permits cost?
• New parking permit charges for on-street parking permits
• How to apply
• Temporary permits

Who qualifies for residents’ parking permits?

You can apply for a residents’ parking permit if:

• Your main or only home is within the London Borough of Tower Hamlets
• You keep and use a vehicle of the type shown in the declaration on the application form
• You do not live in a car free development

Applications for housing estate parking permits must be made through your local housing office.

How much do residents permits cost?

Customers must contact Parking Services to find out how much a permit will cost if applying by post.

When you first apply for a permit the cost will be based upon the number of active permits already issued to the household.

From 1 June 2008, the price of an on-street parking permit depends on either your vehicle's carbon dioxide emissions (CO2 g/km), or engine size (cc) if your CO2 emission is not logged on your Registration Certificate (V5C) by the DVLA.

You are able to purchase a parking permit for 12 months, 6 months - prices also depend on the period of the permit you wish to purchase. A pricing schedule is attached to the application form.

For further information please download the application form (176k)

You do not have to pay for your permit if you receive ONE of the following allowances:

• The higher rate mobility component of the Disability Living Allowance (DLA)
• Higher rate attendance allowance
• War Pensioners Mobility Supplement
  

We will need to see proof that you receive one of these allowances – an award letter for Attendance Allowance or War Pensioners Mobility Supplement or a DLA404 form (both sides) for the higher rate mobility component of DLA. Please note that if you are claiming exemption with a DLA404 and have a nominated driver, both the driver and the claimant must live in Tower Hamlets, and proof must be provided to confirm this.

How can an active permit be cancelled at a property?

An active permit may be cancelled in one of the following circumstances:

1. The permit holder surrenders the permit
2. The new applicant's tenancy agreement commenced after an active permit was issued and the permit holder or landlord no longer lives in the household
3. The new applicant has a letter of completion to show that they purchased the property after an active permit was issued

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How to apply

In order to obtain a resident’s parking permit, you will need to submit

• A completed and signed application form
• The correct payment
• Proof of name and address in the borough:-
  

Council Tax demand (covering current tax year)

Housing Benefit letter (LBTH) dated within last 15 weeks

Gas, electricity or telephone landline bill dated within last 15 weeks

Both the vehicle registration certificate (V5C) AND the vehicle insurance documents (certificate plus schedule) showing the same name and address for the applicant within Tower Hamlets (documents must be current. No additional vehicle proof required if you use this proof)

Bank statement dated within last 15 weeks plus driving licence

Tenancy agreement or rent statement from one of the following: LBTH, Housing Association, NHS, University or hostel (documents must be dated within last 15 weeks. We do not accept private tenancy agreements)

• Proof of vehicle ownership or authorisation to drive the vehicle:-

A vehicle registration certificate (V5C)

Insurance documents (certificate plus schedule). If the vehicle does not belong to you, you MUST be a named driver on the insurance certificate

If you are driving a company owned vehicle, a letter from your employer confirming that you are authorised to drive it, plus proof that your employer owns or leases the vehicle (e.g. vehicle registration certificate or insurance documents or lease agreement. Photocopies are acceptable)

Rental or lease agreement valid for at least 32 days

If you are the registered keeper or policy holder, your vehicle documents must show the same address in tower hamlets as the proof of residency you have provided. Insurance cover notes are not acceptable as proof of ownership

Please note that if you apply in person we need to see the original documents and will photocopy them for our records. If you are applying by post, we suggest you send photocopies. If you send original documents we suggest you send them recorded delivery.

If you are applying for a 12 month permit in person in the Shop, but do not have all the necessary documentation, you may pay the full annual fee, and you will be given a provisional permit for 42 days. During this time you may return with the required documents, and you will be given your full permit, backdated to the date on which the original application was made. If you do not return in this time, your application will lapse and you will have to make a fresh application if you wish to apply again in the future. No further provisional permits will be issued. Incomplete postal applications will be returned and you will have to resubmit the whole document.

Any vehicle or dual registration permits are given at management discretion and application must be accompanied by a letter giving full details of the need for these types of permit.

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Temporary Permits

If you have to use another vehicle because your own needs to go in for servicing or repair, we will issue you with a free temporary permit provided you can demonstrate that your other vehicle, for which you have a full valid permit, is currently off the road.

If your vehicle has been stolen, we will also supply you with a free temporary permit if you can supply us with a crime reference number. When you purchase a new vehicle, we will transfer any unexpired time on your old permit free of charge.

Temporary residents’ permits are also available in a number of other situations, for instance when you first move into the borough and do not have all the documents you need for a full permit. There is a charge of £5 per day in most circumstances, and we will need to see some proof of residency.

Temporary permits are issued for a maximum of two weeks at a time. Should you need more than two consecutive free temporary permits, you may be asked to transfer the vehicle registration on your full permit to your temporary vehicle. Residents of the borough are entitled to apply for a total of 20 days’ worth of temporary permits in a six-month period.

For further information please download the application form (207k)