Everything you need to know about skip permits

So, you’re thinking about hiring a skip?

Skips are a convenient solution for disposing of unwanted materials, saving you tiresome trips back and forth to the local tip.

However, depending on where you choose to position your skip – be it on your driveway, construction site, or at the roadside – you may need to obtain a permit for your skip hire in Thanet.

In this blog, the experts at TW Services will explain everything you need to know about permits, including what they are, why they are needed, and how you can acquire one if necessary.

What is a skip permit?

A skip permit can also be referred to as a skip licence.

It’s a legal requirement for anyone who intends to leave a skip in a public area temporarily and can be obtained from the local council.

Permits ensure that there aren’t too many skips on the road at the same time, which could impact access, parking, and traffic in the area.

When is a skip permit required?

When placing anything on the highway that could cause an obstruction to traffic or endanger pedestrians and other members of the public, you will need to get a permit.

Usually, the biggest domestic skip that can go on the road is an 8 cubic yard skip (builder’s skip).

If you plan on putting a skip on private land, such as your building site, garden, or driveway, you don’t need a licence. However, you might need consent from a landlord or neighbour who uses or has access to your property.

Why is a permit needed for skip hire?

The idea behind a skip permit is to ensure that skips are placed safely.

They should NOT:

• endanger road users
• block access
• reduce visibility at junctions or crossings

Permits for skip hire in Thanet are also used to control the number of skips on roads. Too many could pose a serious problem for those in the area – especially since skips take up as much space as a car (if not more).

Who obtains the permit?

In most regions throughout the UK, your chosen skip hire firm will apply for and arrange the permit on your behalf – we certainly do at TW Services, and we include the cost of the licence in the overall price of your skip hire in Thanet!

When you hire a skip from us, we’ll not only provide a suitable container to leave on the road, but we’ll also make sure that reflective markings, traffic cones, and safety lamps are supplied to prevent accidents and injuries.

How long will a skip permit last?

Skip permits typically last between 1-2 weeks, depending on the council.

When organising the licence for skip hire, it needs to cover the duration of your hire period. That means if you decide you need to keep the skip on your site for longer, you must renew or extend your permit for an additional fee.

A permit can take 4 working days (or longer during busy spells) to attain. You need to make sure you have it before your skip arrives, so factor this time into your decision when choosing delivery and collection dates.

How much does a permit cost?

The cost of a skip permit is around the £30 mark – but this can vary based on the size of your borough and how long you need the skip for.

Prices in London and the southeast are generally the most expensive. However, our team can assure you that we’ll include the cost of the permit in your Thanet skip hire and can provide a clear breakdown of our fees.

What happens if you don’t have a permit?

It is illegal for a skip to be positioned on the public highway without a permit.

Failure to apply for and arrange a licence for your skip hire in Thanet could result in the skip being removed without notice.

You could face a fine of up to £1,000 as well!

Find out more

If you have any other questions about skip permits or you’d like to know more about our skip hire services in Thanet, please don’t hesitate to get in touch with the team.

We’re always on hand and would love to hear from you!

Either call 01304 626 364 or email enquiries@tw-services.co.uk, and we’ll get back to you soon.