No collection for a charitable purpose can be made unless the requirements of the House to House Collections Act 1939 are satisfied

Licence summary

To carry out house-to-house collections for charitable collections in the South Hams area you need a licence from South Hams District Council.

The Act requires a licence (unless one of the exemptions below applies) to be in place for house to house collections for charitable purposes. The process for this is contained in the Act and in Regulations under the Act. The licence is issued by South Hams District Council. If a person promotes a collection for a charitable purpose, and a collection is made, then, unless a licence is in force authorising him, or authorising another under whose authority they act, to promote a collection they are guilty of an offence. The penalty for this on summary conviction is imprisonment for a term not exceeding six months and/or a fine not exceeding £1,000.

If a person acts as a collector, unless there is in force a licence authorising a promoter under his/her authority they act, or authorising the collector themselves, to promote a collection they are guilty of an offence. The penalty for this on summary conviction, in the case of a first conviction, is a fine not exceeding £500. In the case of a second or subsequent conviction the penalty is imprisonment for a term not exceeding three months and/or a fine not exceeding £500.

Exemptions:
Some of the larger well-known charities such as Christian Aid, Help the Aged etc, have an exemption order granted to them by the Home Office and this saves them from having to apply the licensing authority for a permit. Most charities that hold exemption orders still notify the licensing authority of their collection dates which helps to avoid clashes, but inevitably there is overlapping of dates with these blanket type collections.

Eligibility criteria
Applications must be in the form prescribed by South Hams District Council.

Regulation summary
A summary of the regulation relating to this licence

Application evaluation process
No provision in legislation

Target completion time
We will aim to issue your licence within 21 working days of receipt of a valid application.

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.

Apply online
Apply for a house-to-house collection permit
Supply a return for a house-to-house collection

Forms to download, print and post

House-to-House Collection application form

House-to-House Collection Regulations 1947

Contact details
Address
Customer Services Department
South Hams District Council
Follaton House
Plymouth Road
Totnes
Devon
TQ9 5NE
Tel: 01803 861234
e-mail: customer.services@southhams.gov.uk

Failed application redress
Please contact South Hams District Council in the first instance.

You have the right of the appeal to the Minister for the Cabinet Office. Appeals must be lodged within 14 days of the refusal.

Licence holder redress
Please contact South Hams District Council in the first instance.

You have the right of the appeal to the Minister for the Cabinet Office. Appeals must be lodged within 14 days of the refusal

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 of a letter (with proof of delivery). If that has not worked, if you are located in the UK, Consumer Direct will give you advice. From outside the UK, contact the UK European Consumer Centre.