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Licence - house to house collections

A house to house collection licence is required when visits are made to more than one
"house" to collect money or property for a charitable purpose. A "house" includes a place of
business, such as a pub, as well as people's homes.

House to house collections are administered and enforced in the district of Durham City by
Durham Constabulary. Please contact your local Police Station or phone Durham Constabulary's Headquarters on 0845 60 60 365 for further information. The Police may grant a "local exemption certificate" or a licence may be issued for upto one year's duration (although most organisations request 7-14
days). There is no fee.

As a licence requires every collector to carry a badge and certificate of authority only available from HMSO
(London) when sent the certificate issued with the licence, it is advisable to give a minimum of six weeks' notice of a proposed collection.

A financial return must be completed and returned to the Police within one month of the expiry
date of the licence.

Envelope collections means collections made by persons going from house to house leaving
envelopes in which money can be placed, which are subsequently collected. An envelope
collection may only be made when the Secretary of State has given permission and a charity
has been granted a Home Office Exemption Order.