• To apply for a House to House Collection Permit, please complete the online application form (also on the right-hand-side of this webpage)
• You must apply 20 working days before you plan to start collecting.
• You must include the names of any people who will be collecting on behalf of the charity or organisation. These are known as the authorised collectors. You must include your own name if you’re planning to be an authorised collector.

There is no cost for the issuing of consent but there are rules to be followed in applying. Please see the conditions on the right-hand side for more information.

• A collector's certificate and badge must be obtained from The Stationary Office. Applications to apply for these are issued once your application has been granted.
• Please note that if you are an organisation or company collecting on behalf of a charity, you must provide a letter on headed paper from the charity authorising you to collect money/goods on their behalf. 

Unlike street collections, there is a statutory right of appeal against the refusal to grant a house to house collection permit. In this case, the right of appeal is to the Secretary of State, and the grounds for refusal are set out in the Act itself.

One of the key grounds for refusal would be where the total amount likely to be applied for charitable purpose, as a result of the collection, is inadequate in proportion to the value of the proceeds likely to be received. So, for instance, where an applicant intends to claim a fair proportion of the proceeds of the collection for expenses, a permit could be refused.There is no statutory guidance to local authorities on what would be a reasonable amount for expenses.

There are several areas within the Winchester City Council district that have been designated as a No Cold Calling Zone. This means that the occupants living in the designated area do not accept people who are calling uninvited to their homes. No cold calling zones are indicated by local street signage or by stickers on individual houses.

If you are collecting near one of these zones please ensure your collectors respect the rights of local residents.

A full list of No Cold Calling Zones can be viewed on Hampshire County Council's Trading Standards webpage.

Within one month after the date of any collection the person to whom the permit has been granted shall forward to the Winchester City Council a completed return found on the right-hand side of this page. 

A copy of the House to House Collections Act 1939 can be viewed at the City Offices where you can also obtain an application form and a copy of our standard conditions.