Street naming and numbering
Street naming and numbering
We’re responsible for naming and numbering buildings, properties and streets in the borough. You can apply to:
name or rename a street
name or rename a building
number or renumber a property
Before you apply
Before you apply, read our guidelines to make sure you’re meeting the requirements.
New naming and numbering
The guidelines for naming a street or building include:
choose names that are not the same or similar to any that already exist in the borough or neighbouring boroughs.
choose new names that are easy to pronounce or spell, though we welcome names with historical importance to our community
do not choose subsidiary names, such as a row of buildings on an already named street being called ‘... Terrace’
new street names cannot end in End, Court, Cross, Side, View, Wharf, Walk, Park or Meadow
new names cannot start with ‘The’
new block names should end in Lodge, Apartments, Mansions, House, Court (residential only), Point (high block residential only), Tower (high blocks only) or Heights
avoid unsuitable names, such as Typple Avenue or Swag House
only use North, South, East or West where the road is continuous and passes a major junction
try to avoid names that sound similar to others in the same postal area, or borough. For example, Churchill Road and Birch Hill Road
The guidelines for numbering include:
a new street should be numbered with even numbers on one side and odd on the other; cul-de-sacs can have consecutive numbers, so 1, 2, 3 and so on
private garages and buildings used only for housing cars cannot be numbered
do not exclude the number 13, which has superstitious meaning for some, and use it in sequence (unless a medical certificate shows the number has an effect on your heath)
buildings are numbered based on the street the main entrance is on. If a building has multiple entrances going to separate occupiers, each entrance will be numbered based on the appropriate road
a name building cannot have more than one number in a street
in blocks of flats, each flat is usually given a street number where the block is up to 6 storeys high. When the block is higher than this, the building is given a name and number in the street and the flats are numbered. The flats will not be given a number and a letter, only one or the other, for example Flat 2, 21 Smith Street or Flat A, 21 Smith Street
letters can be used alongside numbers (such as 8A) if using only numbers would mean renumbering a lot of other houses. For example, where one large house is demolished and replaced with 2 houses, numbering the new house would impact all the house numbers higher than that
Renaming and renumbering
Renaming and renumbering is usually only considered when changes occur and create potential problems for the occupiers, Royal Mail or Emergency Services, among others.
In the application, you may be asked to provide:
written permission from the owner or freeholder, if that is not you
a copy of the land registry deeds
a detailed site plan showing the entrance, for numbering
a planning application reference showing permission for any works has been granted, if you have one
written permission from the person or their estate if you want to name a building or street after someone
Charges
These charges apply to all applications.
New sites or developments
Numbering one to 9 units: £193.37
Numbering 10 to 20 units: £253.78
Each additional unit after 20: £36.26 per unit
Naming a new street (includes access ways, mews, cul-de-sacs): £313.70
Naming a property: £231.81
Existing properties
Renaming a property: £231.81
Renumbering a unit: £231.81
Renaming a street: £415.27
How to apply
If you want to name or rename a building or street, you should submit at least 3 name options. This is in case one or more does not meet our guidelines.
What happens next
It can take up to 6 weeks to process an application, but it may take longer depending on how complex it is. As part of this, we’ll speak to the London Fire Brigade, who represent all emergency services, to check if they have any objections.
If your application is approved, we’ll send you a letter confirming this and how to pay the charges. We’ll also contact Royal Mail to request a postcode for any new address.
If we refuse your application, we’ll let you know the reasons why. You can make changes and submit your application again. If you do this within 1 month of the refusal, you will not be charged.
Postcodes
Only Royal Mail assigns postcodes, and only at our request. If you’re having problems, such as your address not appearing on the Royal Mail online search tool, contact us by email at [email protected] and we’ll contact them for you.
Contact us
If you have any questions or need help with applying, contact us by email at [email protected]. We aim to reply within 10 working days.