[DASERVICES]

Don't know if there are any from Edinburgh on this forum but if there is this may effect you.

Police are doing a blitz on unlicensed window cleaners in the area and a large number have been reported to the Prosecutor Fiscal Office which I have heard of fines up to £350 being dished out in some areas.

This is where it gets complicated and I feel the system is wrong. If you are employed by someone please ensure that you are licensed even though your employee may say you are. The law unfortunately comes down on you and not the company so you will end up in court.

And as there are some scruplous employees out there it has been known they will sack the person so as to avoid the company name being mentioned in court.

So please take care as we would not like it happen to you.

With the large amount of window cleaners being caught expect other Police forces to come on board.

[Chris Galloway]

Don't know if there are any from Edinburgh on this forum but if there is this may effect you.

Police are doing a blitz on unlicensed window cleaners in the area and a large number have been reported to the Prosecutor Fiscal Office which I have heard of fines up to £350 being dished out in some areas.

This is where it gets complicated and I feel the system is wrong. If you are employed by someone please ensure that you are licensed even though your employee may say you are. The law unfortunately comes down on you and not the company so you will end up in court.

And as there are some scruplous employees out there it has been known they will sack the person so as to avoid the company name being mentioned in court.

So please take care as we would not like it happen to you.

With the large amount of window cleaners being caught expect other Police forces to come on board.

Personally i dont see how it is wrong if you work for a company and your not licenced.

Its the same for driving for example. If you get done for speeding, or get pulled up for some offence, you are going to get prosecuted, not the company you work for. You should know the rules that apply to you, not hide behind the fact. If you work for a shoddy outfit, why work for them? Im sure there are plenty that aren't, and would be better to work for.

I think the Scottish have a good system IMO, shame its not been implemented in England and Wales, it would help drive out rogue traders and benefit frauds (one hopes).

So please take care as we would not like it happen to you.

yeah get your license, be a proper window cleaner!

[johns window kleen]

Can you clarify what exactly being licensed as a W/C in Scotland means.
I understand to trade you have to apply for this licence, which presumably you have to pay for, but how does it stop rogue traders? Do you have to show you have public liability, and commercial motor insurance. Do they inspect your kit and vehicles? Do you have to demonstrate a level of competence on the job?
If it roots out the dole boys only I suppose its a good idea. But what exactly is the thinking behind it?

[mci services]

you have to produce public liability and then your application goes to the police to be checked for criminal convictions and they can object depending on crime committed etc, then the council has final say. i am sure d a services will explain it better later.

it only helps against rogue traders if customers know about it and that is starting to happen but unfortunately this law has been in place since early eightys and is only now that the police are taking interest.

[gerard mcmanus]

I suspect there is allot of unlicenced WC in my area but cant really say for sure however I do have a licence, insurance and have been police checked. But have never been asked to present the licence to anyone, like the police for instance. But I do agree with it as it elimates criminals taking part in our trade and improves public perception in the average WC as a whole as well as improving trust between WC's and the public, which will help is get more jobs. But only if someone inforces it, so I invite the police to ask WC's for a licence.

Gerard 

[Chris Galloway]

it only helps against rogue traders if customers know about it and that is starting to happen

Basically licensed window cleaners need to advise customers and produce a license, when you are canvassing etc and say.

"I am a licensed window cleaner, i dont break the law!"   If they are anyone, they will uphold and take notice. If they dont care, then you know they are not the sort of customer you want in the long run.

I find its the same with regards to the WAHR. The problem is with this country we are not advise of new rules and regs, we have to go out and find them.. which is why many do not know what is and isn't legal anymore. But in the eye of the legal system, ignorance is your fault, not something you can fall back on.