House to house collection licence - Print version

About house to house collections

Under the House to House Collections Act 1939, organisations, or individuals, wishing to conduct a charitable collection for money door to door and in public houses have to obtain a collection permit.

As with street collection permits there is a requirement for the promoter of the collection to make a return following the collection.

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

Eligibility criteria

The collection has to take place in Coventry, the Council controls its own area and cannot issue permits for other areas.

The collection must not be for personal gain.

Apply for a house-to-house collection licence

You can make an application for a house-to-house collection licence online [https://www.gov.uk/apply-for-a-licence/house-to-house-collection-licence/coventry/apply-1].

You can supply a return for a house-to-house collection online [https://www.gov.uk/apply-for-a-licence/house-to-house-collection-licence/coventry/tell-us-once-1] by using the GOV.UK website.

Application process

Applications must be made before the first of the month preceding the month of collection (i.e. before 1 March for a collection in April).

Once an application has been granted a 'Certificate of Information' is provided by Coventry City Council that the applicant has to send to HMSO [http://www.legislation.gov.uk/] in order to get a badge and Certificate of Authority for each collector. It is for this reason that the applicant should apply no later than the first of the month for a collection in the following month.

Does tacit consent apply?

Tacit consent will apply, this means that you will be able to act as though your application is granted if you have not heard from the Council by the end of the target period.

Please note tacit consent will only apply once a full application has been submitted and you have received an acknowledgment.

Charges

There is no charge for permits for a House to House collection.

Supplementary information

The Council issue permits to local charities and individuals collecting for a good cause. Permits can be city-wide and for up to a year although applicants are encouraged to be specific about their collection areas and dates so that they and other organisations can be advised of clashes.

The Home Office issue permits to large organisations (usually registered charities) who have a proven track record of collecting in a large number of local authority areas for a number of years. The Home Office issues a Certificate of Exemption to the organisation, which enables it to collect in any local authority area.  Organisations who hold a certificate are encouraged to inform the Council when they will be collecting so that they can be informed of conflicting interests with other collectors.

Right of appeal

Applicants who have been refused a licence or had it revoked may appeal to the Secretary of State.

Length of licence

Licences can be issued for any period up to twelve months. A return is required showing the amount collected and how it was spent within one month of the licence expiring.

Change of circumstances

It is expected that once granted, the particulars of a permit should not change. Please contact us immediately to discuss any possible alterations.

Public registers

The public registers of all applications made to the Council are available to view through our online licensing register [http://licensing.coventry.gov.uk/MVM/Online/EGov/License_Registers/Registers_Criteria.aspx].