Ayup! A super-quick one here, flying through the rules of leafleting and leaflet distribution here in the UK. You’ll find out if it’s legal, as well as where and when a licence is required.
Leaflet Lion is based in Nottingham and Derby. Therefore, this information can be cross-referenced with both Nottingham City Council and Derby City Council.
The rules and regulations that govern handing out leaflets in the UK come under:
- Free printed material
- Free printed matter
Most local council websites will outline a similar list of exactly what this includes. Here in Notts, we’ve got the following:
- Newspapers
- Leaflets
- Pamphlets
- Cards
- Stickers
- Food
- Drinks
Is leafleting (leaflet distribution) legal here in the UK?
Yes, leafleting is 100% legal in the UK. Governments, councils and political parties themselves regularly use this form of communication. While that continues to be the case, it will remain fully legal.
Any residential property that doesn’t wish to receive flyers or leaflets can display a No Junk Mail (or similar) sign. This will always be adhered to by the team here at Leaflet Lion. Additionally, all other distribution companies, including the Royal Mail, will (or at least, should) stop posting any undressed mail.
Do you need a licence to distribute leaflets?
Firstly, it’s important to address the different forms of leaflet distribution:
- Hand-to-hand (handed directly from a distributor to another person)
- Residential (door drops, door-to-door, posted through letterboxes)
- Business-to-business (taking a flyer into a business and handing it to them)
Hand-to-hand
A licence is usually required for hand-to-hand distribution. This would depend on the exact area you plan to hand out flyers at. If it’s a high footfall area in a city centre, expect to buy a licence.
Nottingham City Council currently list two prices: £127 and £273 for a one-year pass. I’m not 100% sure why there are different price points, but just to give you a rough idea. Furthermore, certain central areas may still be out of bounds;
You cannot distribute leaflets in the Old Market Square unless you are doing so as part of a promotional booking.
Residential (door drops) & Business-to-business
For door drops or distributing to businesses, a licence is not required. This is a nationwide rule outlined on the gov.uk website. It will point you to your local council, but also confirms that a licence isn’t needed for door drops.
If you distribute free printed material without consent in the prohibited area, you will be guilty of an offence and face a penalty or fine.
You do not need a permit if the free printed matter is being distributed:
- in letterboxes
- inside a building, bus or taxi
- on behalf of a charity
- for political or religious purposes or other beliefs.
The distribution of free leaflets and other free printed matter can become a problem if they are subsequently dropped as litter in public places.
Is leafleting legal – Conclusion
Leafleting is fully legal here in the UK. With that said, there are certain regulations surrounding different forms of distribution. If you intend to deliver or hand out flyers, always make sure you know the rules in your local area.
Lastly, despite door drops being legal and not requiring a licence, they must always be carried out professionally.
- Respecting all no junk mail signs
- Not walking over gardens
- Closing gates behind you
- Making sure the flyer isn’t hanging out of the letterbox
- Being polite at all times
