Window Cleaning Licensing

[Thomas Wright]

What is the situation with window cleaning licensing? Do you need one from your local council if you are a private company doing commercial work and as part of a 'cleaning service business' catering to private domestic customers - rather than the usual window cleaner on an housing estate round once every month or so? your comments would be appreciated.
Regards

 

[Trevor Ives]

It appears to be relevant in Scotland only - just another way of extracting more money from its inhabitants.

 

[Paul Watchorn]

I am not at all sure about that. However, you must make sure you have a waste transfer licence. The fines start at £5000!

According to the local authority course I did you will need one even if you are just dusting and are removing the dirty duster from the clients home.

Since they are free, I don't see any argument about obtaining one.

 

[daniel crouch]

As Trevor said I do believe you need a card in Scotland , a commercial company catering to the domestic market ? Just regarding window cleaning no licence required but the obvious should be in place - public liability and employers liability and what ever training you have in place to provide a compitant worker (s) on sites . We do have a waste licence also but not for the window cleaning services , as paul said it can't hurt and I bet not many of your competition have .

 

[Thomas Wright]

Gents, as always, great advice. I have all the necessary insurance's etc but wasn't aware of a 'waste transfer licence' - is this for carpet cleaning?
Regards

 

[Trevor Ives]

I don't think it may be required for windying as you have a problem taking the waste water away.

 

[Paul Watchorn]

I don't know the first thing about window cleaning. However, if people are still using a bucket etc. Unless the technician disposes off the water used down the toilet and bins the cloths at every property, then re fills and does the same at the next, with new cloths, they are breaking the law.
The problem with making light of issues like this is that someone may take the wrong advise and end up with a snotty jobsworth 'just doing his job'. Ending up with a £5000 fine when a person is just trying to feed his family is not a good thing and would not reflect well on this forum.

 

[Dan Paton]

Thomas one thing to keep in mind about the window cleaning licensing in Scotland is you need a different one for each council area. So if you worked outside Stirling in say Alloa or Falkirk you would need licences from those councils too. It's a real pain in the butt anywhere near Glasgow as there are so many councils bordering Glasgow.