To carry out house-to-house collections for charitable purposes in England and Wales you need a licence from the local authority.

There is a different licence (called a street collection licence) when you are collecting for charity on a street or a place where the public have access. Click the following link for more information about Street Collection permits.

This Authority defines collections for either type of licence as including cash or debit card donations, direct debit mandates, donations of household goods, clothing, toys, or other items and it includes collections carried out by commercial companies, where a proportion of the revenues are donated to charity. 

It is possible for Charities carrying out house to house collections in a large number of areas to be given what is called a national exemption order which exempts them from the requirement to apply to each individual council for a licence and a list of these can be found here: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/national-exemption-order-scheme.

Holders of exemption orders, are encouraged to contact us with their proposed dates collection dates to help us ensure that our residents are not inundated with requests for donations.

Whereas street collection permits are normally issued to cover a period of one or two days, a house to house collection permit can be granted for any period up to one year. With regard to vetting and checking to ascertain whether the organisation applying is genuine or not, the same procedures apply as for street collections.

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 house to another.

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 by and large 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. You must be a fit and proper person.

House to House Collections Act 1939

No. It is in the public interest that the authority must process your application before it can be granted. If you have not heard from the local authority by the end of the target completion period of 28 days, please contact Milton Keynes Council.

You must apply at least 28 days in advance of the first date where charitable collections to start.

House to House Collections - Application form

Notification of the result of a charitable collection

or

If you want to collect money or sell items on the street for charity and need a street collection licence, you can Apply online for a Street Collection Licence

Unlike street collections, there is a statutory right of appeal against the refusal to grant a house to house collection permit. Appeals must be lodged within 14 days of the refusal. In this case, the right of appeal is to the Secretary Minister for the Cabinet Office, and the grounds for refusal are set out in the Act itself. One of the key grounds for refusal would be where the total amount likely to be applied for charitable purpose as a result of the collection, is inadequate in proportion to the value of the proceeds likely to be received. So, for instance, where an applicant intends to claim a fair proportion of the proceeds of the collection for expenses, a permit could be refused. There is no statutory guidance to local authorities on what would be a reasonable amount for expenses.
 

Please contact Milton Keynes City Council in the first instance at the contact details on this page.

You have the right to appeal to the Minister for the Cabinet Office.
Appeals must be lodged within 14 days of the decision.
Please contact Milton Keynes City Council in the first instance.

We would always advise that in the event of a complaint the first contact is made with the trader by you - preferably in the form a letter (with proof of delivery). If that has not worked, if you are located in the UK, Citizens Advice Bureau will give you advice or if you wish to complain about the operation, or report a breach of a collection, please complete the Licensing Complaints Form.