Summary
This page provides information about House to House Collections, including information on how to apply for a House to House Collection Licence.
House to House Collections for Charitable Purposes
House to House Collections, as set out under Section 2 of the House Collections Act 1939 and the House to House Collections Regulations 1947, are required to be licensed and regulated by Local Authorities.
Unless those who wish to conduct a collection hold an 'Exemption Certificate', it is an offence for any one to promote or make collections from door to door or from one public house to another for charitable purposes without the promoter obtaining a licence to do so from the Local Authority in whose area that the collection is to take place.
Some larger well-known charities such as Christian Aid, Help the Aged, and others, have a Charity Commission Exemption from having to apply for a licence. However, most of the smaller, and particularly local groups and organisations will need an authorisation before they can collect money door to door.
Collections Proposed to take place within the Borough of Oadby and Wigston
Applications may be made for a Licence for House to House collections to take place within the Borough of Oadby and Wigston to the Council’s Licensing Section. Application should be made at least one month before the first proposed collection date, where upon giving a satisfactory application, a House to House Collection Licence may be granted.
It is particularly important to leave enough time to order and receive, from Her Majesty's Stationary Office (HMSO), the necessary prescribed badges and certificates of authority that must be held before the promoter and collectors set out on the first day of the collection.
We will provide you with a form to send to HMSO in order to obtain the required number of badges.
The aim of licensing such collections...
is to regulate those who may wish promote an appeal for a collection and go from door to door, in order to collect:
-
money, usually using sealed collection tins or envelopes;
-
collect items, such as donated clothing, bric-a-brac and the like;
-
to sell goods;
for a charitable purpose.
This type of regulated collection should not be confused with a Pedlar's Licence which is issued by the Police under ancient legislation and is valid throughout England and Wales. Nor should this type of collection be confused with charitable Street Collections that are permitted and regulated by Local Authorities.
Information about charitable organisations...
is available by clicking on the link below that will direct you to the Charity Commission web site.
Definitions Relating to House to House Collections
-
"Charitable Purpose" means any charitable, benevolent, or philanthropic purpose.
-
"Collection" means an appeal to the public made by means of visits from house to house, to give, whether for consideration or not, money or other property;
-
"Collector" means a person who makes the appeal in the course of such visits.
-
"House" includes a place of business.
-
"Proceeds" means, in relation to a collection, all money and all other property given, whether for consideration or not, in response to the appeal.
-
"Promoter" means a person who causes others to act as collectors for the purposes of the collection.
Attachments
Adobe Acrobat's portable document format (pdf). To view these files you will need to have the Adobe Acrobat Reader installed on your computer. This can be downloaded free at www.adobe.co.uk |[External].
Application Form
If you wish to undertake a charitable House to House Collection (which is different to a charitable street collection) you will need to complete the application form which can be downloaded by clicking the link below:
Fee
There is currently no fee applicable for this type of licence
Regulations for House to House Collections
A copy of the House to House Collection Regulations can be downloaded by clicking the link below:
Once you are ready to proceed...
You may send the forms and other documents back to us by post addressed to:
Licensing Section
Oadby and Wigston Borough Council
Station Road
Wigston
Leicestershire
LE18 2DR
Or visit the Council offices in person and submit your application to a member of our Customer Services Team.
No appointment is necessary to visit our Customer Services Team, who are able during normal Council working hours, to make a preliminary check of your application and documents or provide help with completing the application forms.
Summary of Requirements to Collect House to House
-
Within three months of the collection a Return Form showing details of the monies collected must be completed and returned to the licensing authority.
When organising your collection you need to ensure that:
-
every collector wears a standard badge and carries a certificate of authority, both obtained from Her Majesty's Stationery Office;
-
collectors produce their badge on demand to the occupant of any house or any police officer or officer of the council;
-
if collection boxes are used, they are sealed and consecutively numbered;
-
if money or goods are collected by another means, a receipt is issued to the donator and the donation entered in a receipt book;
-
collectors do not cause annoyance or nuisance to occupants;
-
collectors are not under 16 years of age.
After a Collection
-
collecting tins should be opened in the presence of a promoter and a witness, or, if unopened, delivered to a bank to be opened and counted by an official;
-
when opened, the contents of each tin should be entered on a list and certified by those present;
-
a return must be made to the Council showing the total amount of monies collected, amounts from each tin and a list of collectors;
-
ensure that all certificates of authority and badges are destroyed at the end of the collection period;
-
a least 85% of collected funds must be donated to the named charity - a maximum of 15% can go towards expenses.
-
No promoter or anyone associated with the collection can receive payment from the collection unless approved by the Council.
Monitoring of Collections
-
The Council will make any enquiries it sees fit to confirm the integrity of an organisation's collecting activities.
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 registration number), and the objectives of the charitable cause as supplied to the Charity Commission;
-
a statement of the organisation's aims as detailed in any literature;
-
details of the history of the organisation, i.e. when formed; names of Trustees, Directors, organisers, and any other relevant details;
-
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 provide written proof of agreement from the charity to benefit.
Reasons for Refusal
The Council can refuse or revoke licences for various reasons, these include;
-
to limit the number of collections;
-
if too high a proportion of the proceeds is likely to be spent on expenses;
-
if incorrect information was provided on the licence application;
-
if the promoter or any other person involved has been convicted of certain criminal offences e.g. burglary, blackmail or fraud.
If you, have information to pass on the the Council or you requirer more information about this subject please contact us.
The Council’s Licensing Section Officers can be contacted...
Via
Telephone on 0116 257 2732
Or
Email at licensing@oadby-wigston.gov.uk|