House to house collectors guidelines

The council will make any enquiries it sees fit to confirm the integrity of an organisation's collecting activities. Unfortunately, there has been an increasing need, in view of the incidences of bogus or non-charitable collections, to monitor collection activities.

Exemption

Some larger well-known charities such as the British Red Cross and Help the Aged have a National Exemption Order (NEO) (GOV.UK) from the Home Office. This means they don't have to apply for a permit from us, but most of the smaller and particularly local groups and organisations need a permit before they can collect money (or articles which they intend to sell later) from door to door.

New organisations

If your organisation has never before applied to the council for a charity collection licence, please supply the following information with your application:

• Whether it is a registered charity (please state number) and the objectives of your charitable cause as supplied to the Charity Commission
• A statement of your organisation's aims as detailed in any literature
• Details of the history of your organisation (when it was formed; names of trustees, directors, organisers)
• Accounts and any relevant financial statements
• Collecting on behalf of a society
• If you or your organisation is collecting on behalf of another charity, please could you provide with your application written proof of agreement from the charity to benefit

Reasons for refusal

The licensing authority's powers of refusal or revocation are very limited and relate mainly to the suitability of the promoter or conduct during previous or existing collections. Section 2(3) of the House to House Collections Act 1939 provides the council with the ability to refuse, to grant or revoke if it appears:

• The amount to be used for charitable purposes is too little in proportion to the total likely to be collected
• In relation to the total amount collected an excessive payment is likely to be paid to a person or persons
• The grant of a licence may lead to an offence such as begging
• The person applying for the licence is not a fit and proper person because they been convicted of the offences of assault, robbery, burglary or blackmail; all offences under Section 5 of the Police Factories. (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1916
• The fact that the person applying for a licence or the holder of the licence has failed to exercise due care to ensure that all collectors were fit and proper persons, failed to comply with the provisions or regulations made under the act or failed to stop badges and certificates being obtained by unauthorised individuals
• The applicant or holder of a licence has not given the council such information as the authority reasonably required about any of the above matters 

Last updated: ‎19‎/‎07‎/‎2023‎ ‎09‎:‎34‎