House to house collections
Licence Summary
If you wish to make a house to house collection for charitable
purposes you need to obtain a licence from the local authority
under the House to House Collections Act 1939.
Licences may be granted for a period not exceeding twelve
months, subject to special latitude in cases where the licensing
authority wish to provide for the simultaneous expiration of
licences in respect of annual collections or collections made
continuously over a long period.
Licences may be granted in respect of the whole, or part only,
of an area, but, where a collection extends to more than one
licensing area, a separate licence must be obtained from each
authority.
Within a month after the collection you will be required to
forward a statement of all moneys received and all articles
collected and disposed of as detailed in the Returns Form. Accounts
to the Secretary of State must be sent annually.
Where the Secretary of State is satisfied that a person pursues
a charitable purpose throughout the whole of England and Wales, he
may by order direct that he shall be exempt from the licence
provisions above.
Eligibility Criteria
The collections must be for a charitable purpose.
The application must be made no later than one month preceding
the proposed collection.
A licensing authority may refuse to grant a licence, or, may
revoke a licence already granted, for the following reasons:
- that it does not appear that an adequate proportion of the
proceeds of the collection will be actually applied for charitable
purposes
- that excessive remuneration is likely to be retained by any
person out of the proceeds of the collection
- that an offence under the Vagrancy Act 1824 has been committed
or might be facilitated in connection with the collection
- that the applicant is not a fit and proper person to hold a
licence by reason of a conviction of any specified offence or for
fraudulent or dishonest action
- that the promoter has failed to exercise due diligence in the
appointment of fit and proper collectors or otherwise in the
administration of the collection.
- that the promoter has refused or neglected to furnish to the
authority such information as they may reasonably require under the
foregoing paragraphs.
Regulation Summary
The power to regulate house to house collections and issue
licences is contained in the House to House Collections Act 1939
and the House to House Collections Regulations 1947.
Application Evaluation Process
You will need to complete a House to House Collection
Application Form.
Your application will be subject to a completed application form
and meeting the eligibility criteria detailed above.
Will Tacit Consent apply?
Yes. This means that you will be able to act as though your
application is granted if you have not heard from the local
authority by the end of the target completion period of a maximum
of 40 days.
Application
You may apply by downloading the attached form and sending
together with the supporting documentation by email to
licensing@carlisle.gov.uk or post to:
Licensing Section
Carlisle City Council
Civic Centre
Carlisle
Cumbria
CA3 8QG
Failed Application Redress
Please contact us to discuss why you have been refused a
licence, or if you think we have imposed an unreasonable
condition.
If you are not happy with our decision, you can appeal to the
Magistrates court. A court may give directions on the issue of a
licence, or on conditions set on a licence.
Consumer Complaint
We would always advise that you first contact the business -
preferably in writing (with proof of delivery). If that has not
worked, if you live in the UK, Consumer Direct (external
link) will give you advice. From outside the UK contact the
UK European Consumer Centre
(external link).
Trade Associations
Links to trade associations can be found at the bottom of this
page.