Property
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Guidance and procedures for the care, maintenance, and development of church property.
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Information on applying for grants, loans, and the release of funds for building work.
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Guidance on hiring out church halls, letting property, and the procedures for sales and leases.
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Procedures for carrying out essential Annual and five-yearly Quinquennial Inspections.
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Your legal duties regarding fire safety, asbestos, gas and electrical safety, accessibility, and more.
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Guidance on the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005, including the need for a Fire Risk Assessment.
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Your duty to manage asbestos under the Control of Asbestos Regulations 2012, including surveys and management plans.
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Your responsibilities as a landlord for gas safety checks in residential properties and five-yearly electrical testing.
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Your duty to make 'reasonable adjustments' to ensure church buildings are accessible to people with disabilities.
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CDM (Construction) Regulations
The legal requirements for managing health and safety during any construction or building project.
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An overview of the various copyright and performance licences required for church activities.
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Download essential forms, agreements, and guidance notes for property management.
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Contact details for advice and support on all property matters.
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Church Licensing
An overview of the various copyright and performance licences required for church activities.
Understanding Licensing
Much of the legislation concerning the licensing of premises and the use of copyrighted material can be complex. This guidance provides a step-by-step guide to the main types of licences your church may need to hold.
Most licensing requirements for church use can be covered by Christian Copyright Licensing International (CCLI), and it is recommended that you contact them for specific advice.
Common Licences Required by Churches
- Hymns and Worship Songs (CCLI Church Copyright Licence): Required to reproduce the words or music of hymns and worship songs, for example on song sheets or projection screens. This also covers recording services for church library use, weddings, and funerals.
- Performing Rights Society (PRS for Music): Required for the performance of music on church premises for activities *other than* an act of worship. This includes live concerts, dance classes, youth clubs, and background music at coffee mornings.
- Public Performance Licence (PPL): Required *in addition* to the PRS licence if you play commercial music recordings (e.g., from a CD or MP3) during activities other than acts of worship.
- Mechanical Copyright (MCPS): The CCLI licence includes some rights to record live music during services. However, if you are re-recording (dubbing) from a commercial CD, you will need a separate Limited Manufacture (LM) Licence from PRS for Music.
- Church Video Licence (CVL): Provides legal cover to show videos, DVDs, or film clips, from a few seconds up to a full-length feature film.
- Public Entertainment Licence: Generally, a licence is not required for music, dance, or plays if the event is between 8am and 11pm and the audience is no more than 500 people. However, you should check with your Local Authority, as they may require a Premises Licence or a Temporary Event Notice.
Further Advice and Contact Details
If you are in doubt about your licensing needs, CCLI can provide further advice.
CCLI (Christian Copyright Licensing International)
Chantry House, 22 Upperton Road, Eastbourne, BN21 1BF
Telephone: 01323 436100
Website: https://churches.uk.ccli.com/
You can download the 'Church Licensing Requirements' guidance note from our Property Resources & Forms page for more detailed information.