House to house collections - licence

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

Some organisations – larger charities – have exemption orders which mean that they don’t need a licence. These organisations should still notify the local authority.

Eligibility criteria

Applications must be in the form prescribed by the local authority.

You must be a fit and proper person.

Application evaluation process

House to house collection permits are allocated for the duration of a week. In order to try to avoid a situation where two or more collections are taking place in the same area at the same time, the Council maintains a register of collections. Prospective applicants should contact the Council regarding the dates of when and where within Gwynedd it is proposed to undertake the house to house collection. If a specific date is available, the date will be provisionally allocated to the first person / organisation to apply to the Council for that date, subject to receiving written confirmation from the organisation. Applications can be made up to a year in advance, but must be made no later than one month prior to the proposed date of the collection. However, in special circumstances, such as a disaster, less than one month’s notice can be taken.

Apply

For more information, to notify us of a collection or to obtain and an application form, call 01766 771000.

Relevant legislation

House to House Collections Act 1939

Will tacit consent apply?

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 within a reasonable period, please contact it.

Failed application redress

Please contact your local authority in the first instance.

You have the right to appeal to the Minister for the Cabinet Office.

Appeals must be lodged within 14 days of the refusal.

Licence holder redress

Please contact your local authority in the first instance.

You have the right to appeal to the Minister for the Cabinet Office.

Appeals must be lodged within 14 days of the decision.

Consumer complaint

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 will give you advice. From outside the UK contact the UK European Consumer Centre.