London Borough of Merton
Terms and Conditions for the purchase and use of an Annual Visitor Permit
1. Permit Information
Definition of an annual visitor parking permit
An annual visitor parking permit is intended for use by the applicant/resident or visitors to the applicant/residents address to enable them to park in permit bays during the restricted period.
Only one Annual Visitor Permit per address is permitted.
Who can apply?
- Residents who can provide evidence they live within a controlled parking zone (CPZ) as set out in section 2 below.
- Residents who own a passenger or goods carrying vehicle (or have access to a vehicle via their visitors) that does not exceed 5.25 metres in overall length or 2.28 metres in height.
Please note: the planning conditions for some new build or change of use housing do not allow residents to apply for a residential parking permit. New applications will be checked with the relevant parties, registers databases etc.
2. Proof of residency
As part of your application we will check your details to automatically verify your address. If this check is successful there is no requirement to provide the proof of residency set out in Section A and B below. If however our automatic check is unsuccessful you are required to supply the documents as set out in section A and or B below.
Section A (a copy of 1 of the documents below, which needs to include your name and address of the property within the relevant CPZ for which you are applying).
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A current signed tenancy agreement (by all relevant parties to the agreement), current lease agreement, solicitor's letter confirming purchase of property, or current mortgage agreement/statement valid within the last 12 months.
- If you have not yet moved in – please provide a letter from your solicitor confirming completion date.
If you are unable to provide an example from Section A, we require two documents from Section B below:
Section B (a copy of 2 documents from the list below that include your name and address of the property within the relevant CPZ for which you are applying)
- Bank/building society statement, gas bill, electricity bill, water bill, home insurance, building insurance, Inland Revenue statements, all dated within the last 3 months.
- recent council tax bill, TV licence with your name and address matching your application details
Section C
- If you are unable to provide the documents required as stated in Sections A and B above, please choose the option 'other' and upload/provide the supporting documentation. We will then review your documentation and will contact you if they are not sufficient or further clarification is required.
For example, being on the electoral register or having your address on a driving licence may not be considered proof that you reside at the address, but will be considered in the absence of any other evidence.
We will ask all permit holders to resubmit proof of residency every 3 years, this is to ensure our records are up to date. However, random eligibility checks may be undertaken and you may be requested to present proof of residency within the three year period.
Please note that after your supporting documentation (for proof of residency and/or vehicle ownership) has been validated for the purposes of your permit application; it will be deleted in accordance with Merton's policies and data protection legislation.
3. How long can I have my permit for?
Length of permit and renewals:
- Your permit will be valid for 12 months.
- We will continue to send reminders, but it is your responsibility to renew the permit on its expiry.
4. Where can I park and use my permit?
You may park as follows:
- In a Permit Holder Bay within the controlled parking zone, in which you live/reside. You may not use your permit to park in a permit holder bay in any other controlled zone within Merton Council.
- Shared Use Bay – these bays may be used by pay and display customer or as permit holder bays at any time. However, in certain areas permit holders may only use these bays at the times shown on the signs.
- Please ensure that when the vehicle is parked, it is fully contained within the parking bay.
- An annual visitor parking permit does not grant you a right to park outside your home or guarantee the availability of a parking space.
You may not park in a Disabled Bay as these are only for the use of blue badge holders who display a valid Blue Badge.
Merton Council reserves the right to suspend any parking bay as required.
Please always check the signs before you park – it is your responsibility to ensure that you are parked correctly and in an appropriate bay.
5. Change of details, including refunds and additional charges.
- If you move house, you must return your current permit in the post or in person to Merton Civic Centre.
A refund may be due:
- If you surrender or cancel a permit before it expires, or due to insufficient proof of eligibility we cancel your permit, we will calculate the refund due, based on unused days remaining until the expiry date of the permit, commencing from the date we receive the permit back to the office at the civic centre.
We recommend you return the permit by recorded post or hand deliver the permit at the civic centre with a covering letter.
Lost permit
- Please note if your Annual Visitor permit is lost, we will cancel this permit.
- Civil Enforcement Officer will undertake on street checks to confirm the permit is not being used.
- We will not issue a replacement.
- You are required to purchase a new permit at the full charge.
- No refund for any unused time will be given
Stolen permit
- If your permit is stolen you will need to supply a crime reference number and details of the incident before consideration is given to replacement.
6. Prevention of Fraud
Please note the following:
- It is a criminal offence if, with intent to deceive, you knowingly make a false statement, supply false documentation or forge documents to get an annual visitor permit for yourself or others. Merton Council may prosecute if this is believed to be the case. A refund will not be given in such cases.
- Do not copy or laminate any permit under any circumstances, as any such copied permit will be issued a penalty charge notice (PCN(s).
In order to ensure the integrity of the permit scheme, Merton Council may undertake sample checks to verify an applicant's details, including requesting copy documents as appropriate.
Your information may be shared with third parties for the purpose of preventing of fraud. If you would like more information about how we use your data, please read our Privacy Policy at https://www.merton.gov.uk/legal/privacy-and-cookies/parking-privacy-policy
7. Conditions of use
Merton Council reserves the right to withhold or withdraw a permit if the permit holder:
- fails to comply with these terms and conditions
- fails to update information pertinent to your permit prior to its expiry, such as a change of address or vehicle etc.
- verbally or physically threatens or attacks any Civil Enforcement Officer or any other authorised Merton Council employee
Failure to have a valid permit displayed or inform us of a change of address may result in a Penalty Charge Notice being issued.
8. Declaration
By applying for an annual visitor permit within Merton, you are; as part of your application, accepting the terms and conditions set out in sections 1 – 7 of this document.
9. Data Protection
Please note that the London Borough of Merton is under a duty to protect the public funds under its administration and may therefore use information you have provided for the purpose of the prevention or detection of fraud. Merton Council may also disclose any such information to appropriate agencies for this purpose.
Please note that after your supporting documentation (for proof of residency and/or vehicle ownership) has been validated for the purposes of your permit application; it will be deleted in accordance with Merton's policies and data protection legislation.