Which DBS check do cleaners need?
There are three levels of DBS (Disclosure and Barring Service) check in England and Wales:
- Basic DBS check (£18) — shows unspent convictions only. This is what most domestic cleaners need.
- Standard DBS check — shows spent and unspent convictions, cautions, reprimands, and warnings. Rarely needed for cleaners.
- Enhanced DBS check (£38) — includes all of the above plus a check of police intelligence. Required only for regulated activity — typically care homes, schools, or work with vulnerable adults.
If you clean private homes for private clients, a Basic DBS check is sufficient and correct. An Enhanced check is only required if your work falls within the legal definition of regulated activity — which domestic cleaning does not, unless you are specifically employed to work in a care setting.
How to apply for a Basic DBS check
Since 2020, self-employed individuals can apply directly for their own Basic DBS check at gov.uk/request-copy-criminal-record. You no longer need to go through an umbrella body or employer.
The process:
- Go to gov.uk/request-copy-criminal-record
- Verify your identity online (you will need your National Insurance number and a form of photo ID)
- Pay £18 by card
- Your certificate arrives by post within 14 working days
Keep the original certificate safe. Clients, letting agents, and cleaning platforms may ask to see the physical document or a scanned copy.
Does a DBS certificate expire?
A DBS certificate has no official expiry date. However, in practice:
- Most clients, agencies, and platforms treat it as valid for 12 months and ask for a renewal annually
- Letting agents almost universally require a DBS check dated within the last 12 months
- The Southend Verified™ badge requires a current (within 12 months) Basic DBS check