Neighbours running business next door...

[C7_Vette]

Our neighbour is running a cleaning business next door which used to be a 'one man band' type operation but has now grown to 3 large liveried vans and a liveried car. There are at least 5 staff on the payroll who arrive early in the morning and load vans with cleaning equipment and then come and go all day. Large storage bunkers for cleaning products and equipment are lined down our party fence together with a shed constructed for more stuff. The owner now appears to just run the operation from an office in the house and send staff out on jobs. This house is in the middle of a quiet residential part of town which is also a conservation area. There is daily activity and noise way above what you would expect from a normal residential property. OK, everybody needs to earn a living and I am happy that this business is thriving for them, but can this scale of commercial activity be allowed on a residential property? Do I approach the neighbour about how this is affecting the enjoyment of our own property or talk to the council? Any advice appreciated.

[jgy6000]

He's working from home, just like everyone one else nowadays.

[ARHarh]

I would just ask the council if they have planning permission. If you get into an argument and with them you will have to declare it if you want to sell. Unless you get on well enough with them to mention it.

[trickywoo]

It sounds like they have crossed more than a couple of lines that would require planning permission from the council.

[normalbloke]

Move. Standard PH response.

[Escort3500]

jgy6000 said:

He's working from home, just like everyone one else nowadays.

No, he’s running a business from home. From the OP’s description of the scale of the operation, pp for change of use would required.

[8-P]

Chuck him under the bus because it’ll annoy you if you don’t. Sounds like it’s time for him to expand to some commercial premises anyway.

[Wacky Racer]

Ask him if he'll clean your house for free every week if you keep stumm.

[FourWheelDrift]

Covering all the insurance, permissions, business rates and tax requirements when operating a business from home https://www.gov.uk/run-business-from-home which they should cover, but perhaps don't.

[Rough101]

Watching one in our street, filling IBC’s with unmetered water, have twice as many domestic bins bringing crap back. No idea what they’re doing, a horse box trailer comes and goes several times a day - without a horse.

[Sixpackpert]

Rough101 said:

Watching one in our street, filling IBC’s with unmetered water, have twice as many domestic bins bringing crap back. No idea what they’re doing, a horse box trailer comes and goes several times a day - without a horse.

Dodgy hand car wash?

[Rough101]

Sixpackpert said:

Dodgy hand car wash?

No, too much trash and cardboard coming back.

[Saleen836]

There is also strict H&S rules for storing chemicals which need to be followed

[av185]

jgy6000 said:

He's working from home, just like everyone one else nowadays.

Nope.

Scale of business with delivery vans and storage creates excessive disturbance to residents. Totally diffent to someone working from home on a computer.

Chances are the properties will have a covenant precluding business use anyway.

If the OP sells his house he will have to declare his knowledge of the neighbours business use with likely financial consequences from the purchaser if he doesn't.

Let the planning authority know.

[Jeremy-75qq8]

Just report to planning enforcement saying it is being used as business premesis.

[smifffymoto]

Rough101 said:

Watching one in our street, filling IBC’s with unmetered water, have twice as many domestic bins bringing crap back. No idea what they’re doing, a horse box trailer comes and goes several times a day - without a horse.

Pressure washing.

[underwhelmist]

Rough101 said:

Sixpackpert said:

Dodgy hand car wash?

No, too much trash and cardboard coming back.

I think there are very strict rules about carrying waste, even if it is just cardboard.

[fourstardan]

This sort of stuff would piss me off OP but unfortunately this is the UK in 2025.

Neighbour sounds like a right big time Charlie trying to take on some of the biggest Facilities Management companies in the world with his mop....from his back bedroom.

Rock the boat and he may try and pulverise you with his jet wash.

[Douglas Quaid]

Why not live and let live? Good luck to him for making a living. Unless you’re envious I don’t understand why you’d want to get him in trouble? Why not try having a chat with him instead?

This is the worst type of behaviour, asking how you can screw over someone who’s trying to make an honest living.

[blueg33]

Exactly what planning use classes are designed to manage.

It’s not just someone trying to make a business work, it’s someone potentially breaking the law as well as impacting others rights to quiet enjoyment.