Law regarding using a private house as business premises

[mustard]

So information if you please Chaps

The house opposite me has been rented out for the last few years (nothing unusal about that and never been a problem) but I've just come back from holiday to find that it appears to be now being used as some kind of Business premises by the new tennants.

I think its some kind of property maintenance company, there seems to be a constant coming and going of cars and small vans, but noone there overnight.

The house is on a residentail estate at the top of a quite cul-de-sac.

Are there any legal issues with them using it as business premises? And if there are how easy are they to effect?

TIA

[Eric Mc]

There have been loads of threads on this very subject over the past week or so - although from the point of view of someone wanting to work from home.

In this case it looks like there might very well be contravention of planning laws and you might need to make a complaint to your local council. Before you jump off sat the deep end, I would check first that they just aren't having work done on the house.

[mustard]

Cheers Eric

Had a feeling this was one for you

My instinct says no its not a case of home improvements, as a. Its a pretty new house, b. Its rented and c. Noone appears to be actual doing any work to the house!

I will leave it another week, as I only got back on last Wednesday and as the access to the houses is via a small private drive its annoying me!

[Eric Mc]

As I've said on previous threads on this subject, most Councils are not concerned about people running a business from home provided that the business activity does not require serious alteration to the property or has a significant impact on the "residential" nature of the house and the surrounding environment. Running a construction type business from home would certainly seem to be in the latter category.

[chrisgr31]

You might struggle to get your local Council to take the matter seriously until it has been going on for some time. Do you know who is the letting agent for the property? Might be an idea to give them a call, as the commercial use is likely to be in breach of their agreement. That will aslo tell you if there are works being carried out.

[fidgits]

Also, depending on who they rent the house from...


If you rent through an estate agent/property company (rather than direct with the owner) you generally have to sign a very watertight tenancy agreement, which, precludes the use of the property as a buisness premisis.