Estate parking FAQs

Why is this transfer taking place?  

Tower Hamlets Parking Services already looks after most parking across the borough, like on-street permits and enforcement. By also taking care of estate parking bays, we’ll be able to manage everything in one place. This means a more joined up, consistent, and efficient service for everyone.

How will the allocation of parking permits work?

TMOs will be introduced ward by ward. On each estate:

- Existing residential tenants, sub-tenants, freeholders and leaseholders with permits will retain them.

- Any available spaces will then be offered to residential tenants, sub-tenants, freeholders and leaseholders without a space

Changes to Bay Holder Allocations Process

- Parking permits will no longer be issued to out-of-borough commuters as a priority. This change will free up additional parking spaces, giving priority to Tower Hamlets residents who live and travel within the borough.

- There is also a chance that some LBTH residents who are not tenants or leaseholders may lose their permit under this scheme.

- Existing bay holders that do not reside on the estate will lose their permits.

- New applications from those who live out of Borough are no longer being taken. Similarly, applications from the LBTH residents’ category are also suspended whilst a review of this category is taking place.

I’m an existing bay holder – will I lose my bay?

- No, you won’t lose your bay provided you meet the eligibility criteria. All existing bay holders will be asked to complete a new application as part of the transfer process. This is to make sure we have up to date information and can reissue bays fairly and in line with the eligibility criteria.

New Applicants

We accept new bay applications (Subject to availability and eligibility criteria being met),

Please note that we’ll first review applications from current bay holders. Once those are processed, we’ll begin reviewing new applications.

What restrictions are being placed on permits?

It is proposed to limit permits to two per household. 

How will this affect disabled tenants?

Disabled Blue Badge holders, similar to residents on estate will be given priority as part of the allocation process provided applications are made within a timely manner and subject to availability.

Will there by visitor bays?

The council has taken the consultation feedback on board and is currently reviewing all estates to assess the feasibility of including visitor bays as part of the Estates TMO Rollout Plan. Some estates have already gone live, with others scheduled to follow in the coming months throughout 2025.

Why is there a need to make changes to the way we enforce parking control?*

The Government has written to all councils. They should not use "contract law" to enforce parking on off-street land, like housing estates.

It also said that for councils who continue to use this system, future applications to the DVLA for car keeper details would “more than likely not be approved”.

Since that period, councils including who enforce parking control on housing estates by the use of contract law have faced difficulties in pursuing those who park illegally.

Residents have raised ongoing concerns about parking issues on estates in Tower Hamlets, with a noticeable increase in non-compliance and related complaints.

To address these challenges, the council is moving from a contract law-based approach to a Traffic Management Order (TMO), aligning estate parking enforcement with on-street regulations to ensure consistency and improve compliance.

How is the Council going to Enforce Parking on Housing Estates Going Forward?

The council now enforces parking on estates through a Traffic Management Order (TMO), which sets out the rules that allow residents to park in authorised bays if conditions are met.

How are changes made to parking enforcement?

To make changes to parking on your estate requires that a statutory consultation involving all residents is carried out.

As part of the process, the council will clearly communicate the available options and explain how any changes may affect residents and bay holders. You’ll also have the opportunity to share your views and make representations about our proposals, say whether you agree with them and make suggestions as to how they can be improved.

What changes have been made under the TMO?*

The removal of any vehicle permits

Abuse of the any other vehicles permit system on the estates is rife and would make any parking system difficult to enforce.

To help manage estate parking fairly, each vehicle must be linked to a valid permit registered to its number plate.
If you change your vehicle, you can update the registration details online at any time.

Please note: a valid permit is required to park on the estate in line with the terms and conditions.
If you're waiting for your permit application to be approved, or haven’t yet updated your details, we recommend using on-street parking and following the signs and rules to avoid receiving a Penalty Charge Notice (PCN).

Who Will Benefit?*

- More parking for residents.
Some Tower Hamlets Homes (THH) residents have told us they struggle to park on their own estate. These changes aim to improve the chances for tenants and leaseholders to get a space.

-  Uniformed patrols will help stop illegal parking.
Council Civil Enforcement Officers (CEOs) carry out regular patrols across housing estates to help deter and address unauthorised parking. Please note that this is a proactive service, and not a reactive one, as our officers cover multiple estates across the borough.

-  Resident feedback matters.
Some resident groups want fewer parking spaces on their estate. These proposals will make sure their views are considered too. 

-  Better estate roads.
Any works that will accompany Traffic Management Orders may also improve the condition of some estate roads, contributing to safer, more accessible neighbourhoods for all residents including visitors to the estates

I haven't heard anything, what's going on? 

How do I know that you've received my application? 

You will receive an automated response with a application reference number, this means we have received your application and it was submitted successfully. 

I keep applying and I keep getting rejected but no one is using the bay, why is that? 

The bay may currently be under suspension or there may be another valid reason why it cannot be allocated at this time. A specific reason will always be included in the rejection email. 

Who gets priority for the bays? 

1. Residents with a valid Disabled Blue Badge 
2. Tenants and leaseholders 
3. Freeholders/Leaseholder’s sub-tenants 

What do I do if someone is parked in my bay? 

Please contact LBTH enforcement team by emailing parking enforcement.  Please also do not park in another numbered bay as this is likely to cause further disruption for your neighbours, as well as the risk of being issued with a Penalty Charge Notice (PCN). 

Whilst the Council cannot guarantee that another unauthorised vehicle won’t be parked in your assigned bay, we encourage residents to consider purchasing an additional permit for their local ‘on-street’ Controlled Parking Zone, so that in this event you do not find yourself without any option for parking. This can be done by visiting the parking permits page For further information regarding this please visit the parking enforcement page.  

You can also report an illegally or dangerously parked vehicle on public highway using our online service or the Love your Neighbourhood App which is available for download on Google Play and the App Store. 

We will do our best to visit enforcement requests within the hours of operation but cannot guarantee every request will be investigated in a timely manner. 

I have guests coming over, where can they park? 

Residents will need to purchase visitor vouchers for guests parking. Please note that your visitors can park in allocated visitor bays only. This provision is available on a first come, first served basis. As visitor parking bays are limited on our estates, we always advise and recommend that residents also purchase similar visitor vouchers for the local on-street CPZ (which normally has more parking availability) to ensure that there is an alternative option if estate visitor parking bays are full. You can purchase scratch cards by visiting Tower Hamlets town hall residents hub. Scratch cards cost £3 each and you can buy a maximum of 10 scratch cards per month. 

My car park is gated 

If your car park is gated and requires a Gerda key, you must visit the Tower Hamlets Town Hall Residents’ Hub to collect one. Please bring a valid form of ID along with your latest application approval email to present to the advisor. Your first Gerda key will be issued free of charge. If the key is lost or stolen, a replacement fee of £78 will apply. If your existing key is faulty, a new replacement will be issued at no cost, but you must return the faulty key when collecting the new one. 

I've changed my vehicle, what do I do? 

If you wish to change the vehicle associated with your permit, please visit our change of vehicles page. Once your application has been approved, you will receive an email containing a payment link for the £10 administration fee. 

After we have received your payment, you will be asked to visit the Car Pound located at: 

585-593 Commercial Road, Stepney Green, London E1 0HJ 

Please ensure you bring your old permit with you. At that point, your new permit will either be handed to you in person or posted out. 

Important: Do not visit the Car Pound unless specifically instructed to do so by a member of staff. 

Can I be issued with an "any vehicle" permit? 

Due to the widespread misuse of any vehicle permits, which has led to significant issues, the decision has been made to discontinue the issuance of any vehicle permits moving forward. 

We've got two cars, can we have more than one permit? 

We will allow a maximum of two car spaces per household subject to availability. 

Will I automatically receive my renewed permit? 

Renewal letters will be posted to residents as a reminder to make a renewal application. However, it remains the responsibility of each resident to ensure their permit is renewed on time, regardless of whether the reminder letter is received. 

My renewal permit expired but I did not receive my new permit. What do I do? 

If you have not received your permit two weeks after it has expired, you need to contact the estates parking team.  

Can I have more than two car spaces allocate to my property? 

No, we only allow a maximum of two car spaces per property. 

Why has my bay been suspended? 

From time to time, we may suspend some bays for the use of contractors whilst they are carrying out refurbishment or maintenance works. 

This may mean that a bay holder will lose their space temporarily to allow works to be completed.