Types of permit and what you need to apply

If you live on a council housing estate, there are 4 permits that you may be able to apply for. They are:

  • Resident estate permits
  • Visitor vouchers for estates
  • Blue Badge resident estate permits
  • Carer permits for estates

When you apply for a new estate permit, you’ll be asked to upload some documents about where you live and the vehicle you want a permit for.

You must make sure your permit is assigned to the correct vehicle in your online account or you could get a Penalty Charge Notice (PCN). 

Resident estate permits

Resident permits are virtual permits and are valid for 12 months from the chosen start date. They cost £57.

When you apply, you can choose to pay the total amount in one go, or pay it over 12 months. If you pay it over 12 months it will cost [£4.95 per month which includes a transaction fee].

A resident permit is only valid for the housing estate it was issued for. Having a permit does not guarantee you a parking space or give you the right to park outside your property.

Apply for or renew a resident estate permit

  • You'll need one document that shows your name and address. This must be dated within the last 3 months, such as:

    • a utility or council tax bill
    • proof of any benefits or pensions you get
    • a bank or building society statement
    • a tenancy agreement or solicitors' letter with completion date if you’re a new resident

    You cannot use a driving licence as proof of address.

    You’ll also need one document to show that you either own the vehicle or are insured to drive it, such as:

    • your Vehicle Registration Document
    • insurance document showing the vehicle registration
    • hire or leasing agreement 
    • a letter from your employer if the vehicle is a company car
    • proof that you’re the named driver on the insurance policy if you do not own the vehicle

    You will also need a credit or debit card for payment.

Visitor vouchers for estates

If you have visitors and they need to park on your estate you will need visitor vouchers

You can get visitor vouchers in two ways:

  • virtual vouchers are available online using Permit Smarti (sold in blocks of 20 for £7)
  • paper vouchers are available from the Woolwich Centre (sold in books of 20 for £7)

Vouchers are valid for 12 months from date of purchase.

Each voucher is valid for six hours from time of activation. If you use two at the same time, they are valid for a full day (until 8am the next day on Monday to Friday, and 9am on Saturday and Sunday).

You can activate virtual vouchers online by logging into your Permit Smarti account when a visitor arrives and entering their vehicle registration. You can purchase blocks of virtual vouchers online at any time, including when your visitor arrives.

Paper vouchers are activated by scratching the appropriate section and placing it on the dashboard of the visiting car so it is clearly visible.

Visiting cars in controlled estates that park without a valid voucher may receive a Penalty Charge Notice.   

Apply for visitor vouchers for estates

  • When you apply, you might need to upload some documents about where you live if you have not done this within the last 3 months.

    You'll need one document that shows your name and address. This must be dated within the last 3 months, such as:

    • a utility or council tax bill
    • proof of any benefits or pensions you get
    • a bank or building society statement
    • a tenancy agreement or solicitors' letter with completion date if you’re a new resident

    You cannot use a driving licence as proof of address.

    You will also need a credit or debit card for payment.

  • You'll see a blue parking symbol on the homepage of your online account.

    Select the parking symbol to book a parking session. You'll need to enter your visitor's vehicle registration number and the date they need to park.  

    If you cannot apply online, call our contact centre on 020 8921 4339.

Blue Badge resident estate permits

If there are disabled parking bays in your housing estate, you can apply for a Blue Badge resident estate permit to use with your Blue Badge. These permits are free of charge.

If there are no disabled bays in your estate, or the disabled bays are in use, you can park elsewhere on the estate with your permit and Blue Badge.

Apply for or renew a Blue Badge resident estate permit

  • You'll need one document that shows your name and address and proof that the blue badge holder lives at the address the permit is for. This must be dated within the last 3 months, such as:

    • a utility or council tax bill
    • proof of any benefits or pensions you get
    • a bank or building society statement
    • a tenancy agreement or solicitors' letter with completion date if you’re a new resident

    You cannot use a driving licence as proof of address.

    You’ll also need one document to show that you either own the vehicle or are insured to drive it, such as:

    • your Vehicle Registration Document
    • insurance document showing the vehicle registration
    • hire or leasing agreement 
    • a letter from your employer if the vehicle is a company car
    • proof that you’re the named driver on the insurance policy if you do not own the vehicle

    You'll also need one document to show that you get Disability Living Allowance (DLA). This can be a letter.

Carer permits for estates

Carer permits are free and are valid for 12 months from the chosen start date. They are paper permits.

You can apply for a carer permit if you need a carer to visit you at your estate. 

You must keep the carer permit and give it to the carer to use when they visit. Carers cannot apply for a carer permit.

Apply for or renew a carer permit for estates

  • You'll need one document that shows your name and address. This must be dated within the last 3 months, such as:

    • a utility or council tax bill
    • proof of any benefits or pensions you get
    • a bank or building society statement
    • a tenancy agreement or solicitors' letter with completion date if you’re a new resident

    You cannot use a driving licence as proof of address.

    You’ll also need one document to show proof of care, such as: