If you need any help or advice about anything on this page please contact us by telephone or email. Our telephone line is open Monday to Thursday 9am - 5pm and Friday 9am - 4:30pm. You can also offer us feedback on our service by filling out our online customer feedback form.
Who needs a house to house collection permit?
Organisations who are planning to hold a collection of money (or articles for sale or use) by means of visits from house to house (including business premises) where the proceeds are for charitable purposes.
Are there any exemptions?
If you wish to hold a one off collection which is less than 28 days in duration then you can apply to your local police station (in the location where you wish to hold the collection) for a certificate of exemption.
When to make an application?
Applications for house to house collections must be made at least four weeks before the proposed date of the collection.
How do I apply?
You can download an application form from this webpage. Please submit your application to the Entertainment Licensing Section at least 28 days before the proposed collection.
How much will it cost?
There is no charge for a house to house collection permit. However, once a permit has been issued, you will need to apply to HM Stationery Office for copies of the prescribed Certificate of Authority and prescribed Badges (which you will need to supply to all your collectors).
Prices: The HM Stationery Office charges for the badges, as listed below:-
- 30p each
- £4 for 20
- £10 for 100
and a handling charge of £3 (plus VAT) per order (all other prices are inclusive of VAT and payable to HM Stationery Office). The Council will supply you with an order form for this purpose when your permit is issued.
When can I hold a collection and how long can I hold it for?
There are no restrictions on the allocation of dates for house to house collections, nor on the length of the collection (provided it is less than one calendar year). Many collections are carried out by regional or national charitable organisations who often book their collections well in advance, under the authority of a Home Office exemption. If you are concerned that your collection may clash with another organisation, please ring the Entertainment Licensing Section and check before you complete your application form.
What else will I need to do?
After the collection has been held, a return form, signed by an accountant, detailing the amount collected and any expenses incurred, needs to be submitted to the council within one month. The relevant return form will be sent when your permit is issued.