Do I need permission to put an election poster on a lamp post in London?

Yes, you must obtain permission from the owner of the lamp post, usually the local borough or a utility contractor; unauthorised posters may be removed.

How long after the election do I have to remove my posters?

Removal deadlines vary by borough and landowner; if no specific deadline is published, remove posters promptly after polling day to avoid removal or charges.

Who do I contact if my posters are removed by the council?

Contact the enforcing council's streets or environmental enforcement team listed on the local council website; details depend on the borough.

London Election Posters - Permissions & Timetable

Signs and Advertising England 4 Minutes Read · published February 02, 2026

In London, England, candidates and campaigners must follow a mix of national guidance and local rules when placing election posters on streets, council property and transport infrastructure. This guide explains who grants permission, typical removal timetables, how enforcement works and what steps to take if you are asked to remove campaign material. It draws on official guidance and borough practice to help campaigns comply and avoid fines or removal. Electoral Commission: Campaigning and advertising^[1]

Permissions and Where Posters May Go

There are three common categories of location for election posters in London: private property (requires owner permission), council-owned street furniture and the Transport for London (TfL) estate. Permission is required from the asset owner; councils and TfL generally prohibit unauthorised posters and will remove them. Seek written permission from any landowner before display and follow any size or location conditions set by the owner or council.

Private property: obtain explicit owner consent and follow any tenancy or lease rules.
Council-owned furniture and lamp posts: many boroughs prohibit posters on lamp columns or require a permit from the local council.
TfL estate (buses, tube stations, bus shelters): commercial contracts typically control advertising; unauthorised material is removed by TfL.

Always check the specific borough or transport owner rules before mounting posters.

Typical Removal Timetable

Timetables vary by owner. Councils will remove unauthorised posters as they are discovered; some boroughs prioritise safety hazards and obstructive signs. TfL and contracted shelter operators remove unauthorised posters from their assets promptly under their advertising agreements. If you receive a removal notice, act quickly to comply or to appeal per the issuing authority's process.

Pre-election period: many local policies permit posters only during the regulated campaign period; confirm dates with the returning officer.
Post-election removal: candidates are normally expected to remove their posters within a short period after polling day; exact deadlines are set by local policy or property owners.

Penalties & Enforcement

Enforcement is carried out by the owner of the land or asset: local council enforcement teams (environmental enforcement/streets teams) for borough property, and Transport for London for TfL assets. The Electoral Commission provides guidance but does not impose local fines itself. City of London elections^[2]

Enforcers: local council enforcement officers and TfL enforcement/contract managers.
Fine amounts: not specified on the cited pages; penalties and removal charges vary by borough and asset owner and should be confirmed with the enforcing authority.
Escalation: many councils escalate from removal and a request to pay a removal charge to fixed penalty notices or legal action for repeated offences; specific escalation steps and amounts are not specified on the cited pages.
Non-monetary sanctions: removal of posters, seizure, orders to remove, and potential prosecution through magistrates' courts depending on the offence and owner policy.

If you are unsure whether a location is permitted, do not place posters until you have written permission.

Applications & Forms

Some boroughs publish forms or application procedures for temporary displays; TfL controls placed advertising via commercial contracts and does not offer ad-hoc permission for fly-posting. For general campaign advertising guidance see the Electoral Commission page cited above and TfL advertising information for transport assets. TfL advertising information^[3]

Local council permits/forms: check the specific borough website for any permit name or application form; if no form is published, the page will not list an application form.
Contact enforcement or elections team: use the borough contact or TfL advertising contact to request permission or report removal procedures.

Common Violations and Typical Outcomes

Posters on lamp posts without permission — outcome: removal and possible removal charge.
Posters on TfL property without contract — outcome: immediate removal and potential notification to campaign agent.
Posters creating sightline or highway hazards — outcome: urgent removal and potential enforcement action.

Removal charges and fines are set by the enforcing owner and are not uniform across London.

Action Steps

Before display: get written permission from the landowner or council and confirm any size/location limits.
On notice of removal: comply promptly, or lodge an appeal or representation per the issuing authority's process.
To report unauthorised posters on council property: contact the local borough enforcement team via the council website.

FAQ

Do I need permission to put an election poster on a lamp post in London?: Yes, you must obtain permission from the owner of the lamp post, usually the local borough or a utility contractor; unauthorised posters may be removed.
How long after the election do I have to remove my posters?: Removal deadlines vary by borough and landowner; if no specific deadline is published, remove posters promptly after polling day to avoid removal or charges.
Who do I contact if my posters are removed by the council?: Contact the enforcing council's streets or environmental enforcement team listed on the local council website; details depend on the borough.

How-To

Identify the owner of the site where you want to place a poster (private owner, borough, or TfL).
Contact the owner to request written permission and confirm any size, location or timing restrictions.
Document the permission and keep a copy during the campaign in case of challenge.
After the election, remove all posters within the timeframe specified by the owner; if none is specified, remove promptly.

Key Takeaways

Always obtain written permission from the asset owner before placing posters.
Enforcement is by the asset owner: councils and TfL remove unauthorised material and may charge for removal.