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Apply for a house-to-house collection permit

Find out how to apply for a permit so you can visit houses for a charity collection.

You need a permit if you want to visit houses or other premises (such as pubs) to collect:

  • money for charity 
  • goods you plan to sell later for charity.

Certain larger charities have permission from the Home Office to collect and don't need a permit from us.

Limitations

We only allow one charity to collect at a location at one time.

Collections for charities not based in Torbay can only take place on Saturdays between April and September. There are no limitations if you are collecting for an individual.

There are also many terms and conditions to granting a permit. Read the Street Collection Regulations to find out more.

If you collect without a permit

If you don't get a permit before starting house-to-house collections, you could face:

  • up to 6 months in prison and
  • a fine of up to £1,000.

Fees

There is no fee for this permit.

When to apply

You must submit your application at least 28 days before the collection.

How to apply

You will need to include:

  • A letter of authority giving you permission to collect for the charity.
  • A contract between the collection organiser and the benefitting charity.
  • The last audited accounts of the benefiting charity.

Once you have gathered this information, you will need to register or log in to our customer portal to apply online. You may wish to open the application guidance notes so you can refer to them when you apply.

Apply for a house-to house-collection permit

What happens next

Financial statement returns

After the collection, you must submit a financial return to us within 28 days. You need to tell us:

  • The place of collection
  • how much has been collected and
  • how the money has been allocated.

An accountant will need to give a certificate to confirm that the return is a true account of the collection.

Submit your return

If you do not submit a return after the collection, we cannot issue you a new permit until we have received a return.

Granting the licence

Submitting an application form does not guarantee that a licence will be granted. We must process your application before it can be granted.

You cannot start collecting without a permit.

If you have not heard from us after 28 working days, please contact licensing@torbay.gov.uk.