House to House Charitable Collections Licence

A permit is required to undertake a charitable 'house to house' collection, under the House to House Collections Act 1939. The definition of a house to house collection includes collections of money and of goods that are intended to be sold later. This also includes envelope collections.

Collections generally take place from door to door or from one public house to another.

The collectors must wear an identification badge and must not be under the age of 16.

Once a collection has taken place then a return must be forwarded to us within a month showing the amounts collected and related expenses. This is then kept on file for public inspection.

Some of the larger well-known charities such as Christian Aid, Help the Aged etc, have a Charity Commission exemption from having to apply for a permit but they still need to notify the local authority as only one house to house collection is allowed at any one time. You are therefore encouraged to check with us before making an application in order to ensure the dates you require are still available.

Generally most of the smaller charities, and particularly local groups and organisations, need a permit from the District Council within which they wish to collect before they can make a collection. Larger national collections can register with the Home Office instead.

In the case of a collection in respect of which a Licence had been granted, the collectors must have an official badge obtained from HM Stationary Office. We will provide you with a form to send to HMSO in order to obtain the required number of badges.

Further information

How to apply for a house to house charitable collection

Fraudulent collections