Do I need a skip permit? - Your questions answered

Hiring a skip is a great way to clear any larger items you’re getting rid of, like baths and kitchen cupboards.

They’re often used during renovation projects, but people often stop and think ‘do i need a skip permit?’

Depending on where you’ll be putting your skip, you may need a permit.

This is if you plan on putting the skip anywhere apart from your driveway.

The skip company is usually in charge of providing the permit, but in some areas you have to do it yourself through the government website.

They prevent you from getting avoidable fines and mean you can get rid of everything in a safe and legal way.

Find out why putting a skip on a public path or highway can lead to a hefty fine without the right permissions.

What is a skip permit?

A skip permit is something that allows you to place a skip on a public road.

It’s there because of the disruption skips can cause for residents and traffic.

Without one, it’s illegal to have a skip on a public path or highway, so you can be fined if one isn’t issued.

When would I need to get one?

If you’re planning on putting your skip on private land, you don't have to worry about getting a permit.

But if you’re putting one on a public path or highway, you’d either need to apply for one or ask the skip company to.

Permits are usually issued within a few days, but to make sure you have one when you need one, apply early.

This is in case of any delays. It’s advised that you apply for one a minimum of seven days before and they usually last up to four weeks.

Does the skip hire company apply for the skip or do I need to do it?

The skip hire company is usually the one to arrange the skip permit for you.

The price of this is then added to the overall cost of the skip hire.

It’s worth double checking this when your skip gets delivered, as if the skip doesn’t have a permit linked to it, you could end up facing a fine.

Who do I get a skip permit from?

If you need to apply for the skip permit yourself, you can go to your local council’s website.

Here you can apply for the relevant permit.

You’ll need to provide information of the size of the skip you’re interested in hiring and where it will be placed.

How much does a skip permit cost?

The cost of a skip permit depends on the area.

They can cost anywhere between £15 and £70 for one to two weeks.

The longer you need the skip for, the higher the cost of the permit.

Additional costs can crop up if you’ll be taking over residential or pay-and-display parking spaces.

This can vary from council to council, but they’re put in place because there’ll be more disruption on the road

Does it matter what sized skip I’ve got?

When it comes to skip permits, the size doesn't affect the cost.

But there are restrictions on the size of skip you can place on a public path or highway.

largest size of skip you can put on a public area is eight yards, so bear this in mind if your skip will be placed on a path or road.

Do I need a permit to put a skip on my driveway?

You only need a permit if the skip will be on a public road or path, disturbing residents and traffic flow.

If you own the property and the skip will be on it for the time you’re renting it, then you don’t need to worry about any permits.

If you’re renting, you’ll have to check with the landlord before putting a skip anywhere.

Otherwise you’ll need to put it on the side of the road.

What happens if I put a skip on a public path or road without a permit?

If you don’t have a permit for placing a skip on a public path or road, you could face a fine.

his depends on the council and the length of time you’ve had the skip there for without a valid permit.

You could be fined up to £1,000 if you don’t have a permit and cause disruption with the skip.

How long will my skip permit last?

Most councils issue skip permits for one to two weeks.

Some will issue them for longer, but this depends on the council.

If you need it for longer than issued, you can ask the skip supplier or get in touch with your local council to see if they’ll allow an extension.

What if my permit expires and the skip hasn’t been moved?

If your skip is still there, but your permit has expired, you’ll need to apply for an extension.

This will include added costs, but is very important.

As mentioned above, if you have a skip with no permit you can be fined.

By making sure the skip permit is valid at all times, you’ll be covering your own back.

Choosing the right provider.

By using a credited skip provider, you can be sure all the relevant and legal documentation is filled out before you get your skip.

Here at LITTA, we give you all the information you need before we deliver your skip.

So you’ll never need to question whether you need a permit or not.

Get in touch now to see how our services can help you.