The Inch · City of Edinburgh
Cleaning Business Start-Up Guide for The Inch
What the law actually requires before you start cleaning for clients in The Inch and City of Edinburgh.
Get the step-by-step Cleaning Business Launch Kit — £22The Inch is as good a place as any in the UK to start a cleaning business -- the trade has few legal barriers to entry. This guide sets out what to sort before your first client visit in City of Edinburgh.
What the rules say
No general licence is required to run an ordinary domestic cleaning business in the UK -- though specific sub-activities, such as carrying waste away from a client's property, have their own registration requirements. Public liability insurance isn't a legal requirement for a sole trader, but it's near-universal in practice and often expected by clients and letting agents. Employers' liability insurance becomes a legal requirement the moment you take on any non-family staff.
Quick answers
How do I find my first cleaning clients in The Inch?
Most new cleaning businesses in The Inch 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 The Inch?
Yes -- most domestic cleaners are sole traders who travel to clients, so you don't need commercial premises in The Inch to get started.
Do I need insurance to clean houses in The Inch?
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 The Inch and City of Edinburgh. If you ever employ staff, employers' liability insurance becomes a legal requirement.
Do I need a qualification to be a cleaner in The Inch?
No qualification is legally required to start cleaning for clients in The Inch. Industry training such as BICSc becomes more commercially relevant once you're employing staff or taking on larger recurring contracts.