Charlton · Greater London
Launch a Cleaning Business in Charlton
Licensing, insurance and your first bookings -- covering Charlton and the surrounding Greater London area.
See what's inside the Cleaning Business Launch Kit — £22Starting a cleaning business in Charlton? Good news: there's very little standing in your way legally. This guide walks through what you genuinely need in place before your first job across Charlton and the wider Greater London area.
What the rules say
You don't need a general licence to run a domestic cleaning business in the UK. The exception is waste carrying -- if you remove a client's waste yourself, that has its own registration requirement. Public liability insurance remains commercially expected rather than legally required for a sole trader, but employers' liability insurance is a legal requirement from your very first non-family employee onward.
Quick answers
How do I find my first cleaning clients in Charlton?
Most new cleaning businesses in Charlton start with word-of-mouth, local Facebook groups, and a Google Business Profile. The Cleaning Business Launch Kit includes a full marketing workbook with practical steps for building a client base from a standing start.
Can I run a cleaning business from home in Charlton?
Yes -- most domestic cleaners are sole traders who travel to clients, so you don't need commercial premises in Charlton to get started.
Do I need insurance to clean houses in Charlton?
It isn't a legal requirement as a sole trader, but public liability insurance is strongly recommended and often expected by clients and letting agents across Charlton and Greater London. If you ever employ staff, employers' liability insurance becomes a legal requirement.
Do I need a qualification to be a cleaner in Charlton?
No qualification is legally required to start cleaning for clients in Charlton. Industry training such as BICSc becomes more commercially relevant once you're employing staff or taking on larger recurring contracts.