You need a Window Cleaner's Licence if you:

are employed (or self-employed) as a window cleaner
employ others to clean windows.

All partners in a business, and each employee needs a licence.

It is a criminal offence to do the following without a licence:

clean windows for money, promises of money, or with the expectation of payment
call at houses, shops, offices or other premises to get window cleaning jobs

If you do not have a licence, you could be charged.

How to apply

You will need:

two up to date passport photographs
a completed window cleaner's licence application
the fee
evidence of public liability insurance of at least £1million

Types of licence

There are two types of window cleaner's licence.

Full licence

This is the licence for a regular occupation. It lasts three years and can be renewed after that for three years at a time.

The committee can set a shorter period. Usually the expiry date will be the last day of the month before the month containing the three year anniversary.

Temporary licence

A temporary licence lasts six weeks and can't be renewed. If you apply for a full licence during that time, the temporary licence continues until we decide on the application.

Licence start dates

The start date of your licence depends on it's status.

New licence

Your licence will start on the day we grant it.

Renewed licence

A renewed licence will be backdated, to the expiry date stated on your previous licence. 

If you apply to renew your licence before the expiry date, the licence stays in force past that date. This is for as long as it takes us to decide on your renewal application.

Late renewal

If you give us your renewal application after the expiry date, this means that:

your licence has expired, so you cannot operate as a window cleaner
if you do operate, the Police might charge you

We will treat your application as asking for the grant of a new licence, instead of a renewal.

You should check with your insurer; you might be uninsured if your cover depends on a licence being in force.

The law allows us to treat a late application as a renewal if:

you apply no later than 28 days after the expiry date, and
you have a 'good cause' that explains why you are late (you should explain what this is in your application form).

Next stages

When we have your application and fee, we will:

inform Police Scotland
advertise your application

We allow 28 days for the police and members of the public to make any objections or representations.

If there are no objections or representations, the application can be granted.

If there is any objection or representation, we will send your case to the Licensing Committee for a hearing. If there is a hearing, you will be invited to attend. If you cannot (or choose not to) attend, you will be able to write to the committee about your application. The committee will take account of anything you say or write.

You should allow for the time that it takes for the council to carry out the statutory processing procedure. This can take up to six months.

Licence conditions

The licence will be granted subject to conditions. 

You will be issued with a badge, that you must keep with you, to show to the Police or a Council officer.

In some cases, we may apply special conditions which will be set out in your licence document.

If conditions are broken:

you can be charged by Police Scotland
the Licensing Committee can revoke or suspend the licence after a hearing.
any breach will be considered if you apply to renew the licence.

More information

Window cleaner's licence notes.

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