House to House Collections

A summary of the regulation relating to House to House Collections House to House Collections Act 1939 (External Link)

Please be aware that Street Collections  are regulated separately.

It is the Council's usual Policy to only grant a licence for up to a maximum period of 31 days per year.

We do try to assist all charities / organisations where possible and do our best to avoid over lapping collections.  One reason for this is because if 2 or more collections werre carried out on or around the same time we do not feel each charity / organisation would benefit as much as if the collections were done at different times.

If you have a particular date or dates in mind for your proposed collection(s) you are advised to contact us to make sure the date or dates are available.

Dates for house to house collections get booked very quickly and therefore we advise applicants to make applications as far in advance as possible.  However please be aware applications must be made at least 28 days prior to any proposed collection(s).

Application Process

Prior to the Collection - Making an Application

There is no fee associated with this application.  Where applicable, completed applications should be accompanied with the following:-

• Literature / Information about the charity / organisation who will benefit
• Letter of authority from the charity / organisation which is benefiting from the collection
• Copy of any contracts between the applicant and the benefiting charity / organisation
• Last audited accounts of benefiting charity (please include a reason within the application if accounts cannot be provided)

Failure to submit the relevant information could lead to a delay with your application.

We will begin processing your application on receipt, unless there is a problem, in which case we will aim to contact you within 5 working days of receipt.

As we recommend that applications for house to house collection licences are made at least 28 days in advance of any proposed collection your application will be considered during this period, and a licence issued before the proposed collection date.

If you have not heard from the Licensing Section within the target completion period you will be able to act as though your application is granted.  However we would always advise you to contact us prior to carrying out any collection if you have not received a licence.  You can do this online if you applied through the UK Welcomes service or use the contact details below. 

We will notify the Police of any application for a house to house collection licence and may also contact other local authorities where similar collections have been undertaken.

After the Collection

Once the collection has taken place you will need to submit a form of statement stating how much money has been raised and the amounts used for any expenses such as printing, stationery, collecting boxes etc..  This form must be submitted within one month of your collection.

The form must be certified by the promoter of the collection and either an accountant or independent responsible person. 

It is a legal requirement that even if no collection took place, you must submit a 'Nil' return. 

Returns can be submitted online or by post to the Licensing Section at the address given below.

Apply for a Licence / Submit a Return

• Apply online for a house to house collection licence (External Link)
• Downloadable application for a house to house collection licence (.pdf, 35kb)
• Submit a return online (for a collection that has taken place) (External Link)  

Where a licence is granted the collection must be carried out in compliance with the  House to House Collection Regulations (.pdf, 164kb)

The legislation does not require a public register to be kept.  However we do publish a  list of the collections / fundraising  approved or agreed by the Council's Licensing Section.

A list of the holders of Orders of Exemption can be viewed here. (External Link)  (made under Section 3 of the House to House Collections Act 1939)

Please contact the Licensing Section in the first instance. 

We would always advise that in the event of a complaint the first contact is made with the service provider by you - preferably in the form a letter (with proof of delivery). If that has not worked, if you are located in the UK, Consumer Direct (External Link) will give you advice. From outside the UK contact the UK European Consumer Centre (External Link) .