Applying for Temporary Event Notice (TEN)
Temporary Event Notice (TEN) Guide for Landowners & Organisers
Hosting events on your land
Hosting an outdoor event on your land is an incredible way to create unforgettable memories and unlock alternative revenue. If you are planning an occasion in England or Wales that involves serving alcohol, providing live entertainment, or selling hot food after 11 pm, you will likely need a Temporary Event Notice (TEN).
A TEN is a simple, low-cost notification given to your local council. It allows you to legally hold a one-off event without the complexity, expense, or permanence of a full premises licence. This makes it the ideal solution for Borrow my Garden hosts and organisers setting up bespoke weddings, private celebrations, corporate retreats, or community gatherings.
What Counts as a Licensable Activity?
You will need to ensure a TEN is submitted if your outdoor event includes any of the following activities:
- The Sale or Supply of Alcohol: This applies whether you are running a cash bar, including drinks in the ticket price, or supplying alcohol to members of a private club.
- Regulated Entertainment: Providing entertainment such as live bands, DJs, amplified music, organised dancing, or indoor sporting events.
- Late-Night Refreshment: Serving hot food or hot drinks to guests between 11 pm and 5 am.
If your gathering features one or more of these activities, a TEN serves as your legal green light, ensuring everything runs safely and lawfully, with the full backing of local authorities. safely.
How to apply for a Temporary Event Notice
Securing a TEN is a straightforward and inexpensive process. Because the notice is tied to the specific person running the event, the event organiser typically submits the application, though landowners can also apply directly.
- Apply to the Local Council: Submit your application online via the specific local authority website for the area where the land is located.
If you are unsure which borough or district council covers the location, you can find the correct local council on the GOV.UK website. - Pay the Statutory Fee: The standard application fee for a TEN is just £21, non-refundable, and paid securely online during the process.
- Automatic Authority Notification: When you apply online, the council will automatically forward copies to the local police and environmental health teams. They have three working days to review the notice.
- Display the Notice: Once acknowledged by the council, a copy of the TEN must be printed off, kept safely on-site during the event, and clearly displayed or made available if requested by local authorities. Mole Valley District Council
Crucial Deadlines: Standard vs. Late TENs
Timing is everything when it comes to council deadlines. There are two pathways you can take, depending on how early you plan your layout:
- Standard TEN (Highly Recommended): This must be submitted at least 10 clear working days before your event takes place. Clear working days do not include the day the council receives the application, the day of the event itself, weekends, or bank holidays. If the police or environmental health object to a Standard TEN, a meeting is held to resolve it.
- Late TEN (The Safety Net): If plans change last minute, you can submit a Late TEN between 5 and 9 clear working days before the event. However, use these cautiously: if authorities raise a single objection to a Late TEN, the event is automatically blocked with no right of appeal.
Understanding the Annual Statutory Limits
To protect local communities, the government places strict limits on how many notices can be attached to a person or a single piece of land each calendar year.ed each year.
| Restriction Type | Statutory Limit Details |
| Per Individual (No Personal Licence) | You can submit up to 5 TENs per calendar year, which can include a maximum of 2 Late TENs. |
| Per Individual (Personal Licence Holders) | If you hold a personal licence to sell alcohol, your limit increases to 50 TENs per year, including up to 10 Late TENs. |
| Per Piece of Land / Premises | A single location can host up to 15 individual events per calendar year. |
| Maximum Combined Duration | The total number of event days hosted on a single piece of land must not exceed 21 days per year. |
Key Conditions to Keep in Mind
The 499 Capacity Rule: A TEN covers small-scale events only. A maximum of 499 people can be on the land at any one time, which strictly includes all guests, bar staff, caterers, performers, and stewards.
Event Duration: A single event can last for a maximum of 7 consecutive days (168 hours).
The 24-Hour Cooling Gap: There must be a minimum of a 24-hour gap between two separate TENs held on the same piece of land by the same organiser.
Why TENs are Excellent for Borrow my Garden Hosts
For landowners, Temporary Event Notices offer the ultimate peace of mind. Because a TEN is typically applied for by the event organiser, the legal responsibility for managing the crowd, monitoring alcohol consumption, and respecting noise limits sits squarely on the shoulders of the planner.
This legal structure allows you to confidently open your gates to beautiful weddings, corporate team-building days, private celebrations, and independent film shoots, safe in the knowledge that the event is fully authorised and professionally managed. It allows you to diversify your rural income seamlessly, without the headache of permanent council red tape.
Need Expert Guidance on Licensing Your Space?
Navigating local council requirements can feel daunting, but you never have to figure it out alone. At Borrow my Garden, we pride ourselves on providing personal, hands-on support to ensure both our landowners and planners feel completely secure.
Talk to Claire, Jon or Jo
If you are a landowner unsure about how to track your annual 21-day limit, or an organiser trying to calculate your clear working days for an upcoming booking, we are here to help. Drop us a line using the live chat facility at the bottom right of your screen, or get in touch via our contact page for friendly, expert advice.