Housing association refused my application to run a business from home??

blackwidow22 · 18 November 2012 at 11:56PM

Hi

i want to run my own Cake Business from home and have the space to do so but after asking the Housing association if i could to this, it was a flat no!
they said please read your tenancy agreement as it states no business's to be run from the property..and that was that!
i am so upset as i have always dreamed of having my own business and it is not like my little venture would interfere with anyone one at all, especially my neighbours.
how and where can i now run my little venture, i certainly can not afford a shop and my business would only be a tiny one,no staff just me....
is there anyway i can get round this issue with the housing association?

Fire_Fox · 19 November 2012 at 9:23AM

Unfortunately not, you would need to move into private rented accommodation with a landlord that permits you to run a business. Your business could interfere with others as you would need to receive supplies and make deliveries, have meetings with customers and inspectors on site, you could need to take on staff down the line, all this increases traffic. Also it has to be the same rules for everyone.

cr1mson · 19 November 2012 at 9:39AM

Also what would happen with regard to any amendments that need to be made to the property in particular the kitchen for you to legally be able to sell food products? Having had a friend who set up a cookery business from home I know how (quite rightly) onerous they can be.

Norman_Castle · 19 November 2012 at 9:41AM

If your business is inconspicuous its unlikely they will know. I expect the rule exists to prevent homes being turned into mini factories and to avoid properties intended as housing being misused.

Hmm71 · 19 November 2012 at 9:42AM

It might be unlikely the HA will know but the neighbours will and the OP runs the risk of some spiteful neighbour with a grudge informing the HA, if they do go ahead and start the business.

robin_banks · 19 November 2012 at 9:46AM

Tbh, it seems fairly standard practice not to allow a business being run from home.

vivatifosi · 19 November 2012 at 9:49AM

Fire_Fox wrote: »

Unfortunately not, you would need to move into private rented accommodation with a landlord that permits you to run a business. Your business could interfere with others as you would need to receive supplies and make deliveries, have meetings with customers and inspectors on site, you could need to take on staff down the line, all this increases traffic. Also it has to be the same rules for everyone.

I'd add to this that you will need to stipulate the type of business. For example, many properties have restrictive covenants that restrict the running of business from home except for certain categories. The allowed categories tend to be administrative - so for example there would be no additional traffic, noise or smells from the property. In the event that a landlord allows you to do this, he/she may not be aware of the covenants so there is still a chance that the resident's company would clamp down, so there are a lot of bases to cover in terms of working from home.

It may still be worth reading the lease where you are. It may give you the scope to do all of the admin work relating to your company from home, even if you have to go elsewhere for the baking.

Fire_Fox · 19 November 2012 at 10:32AM

Also running a cooking business would entail changes to the buildings insurance, there has to be an increased fire risk.

Wywth · 19 November 2012 at 11:27AM

blackwidow22 wrote: »

Hi

i want to run my own Cake Business from home and have the space to do so but after asking the Housing association if i could to this, it was a flat no!
they said please read your tenancy agreement as it states no business's to be run from the property..and that was that!
i am so upset as i have always dreamed of having my own business and it is not like my little venture would interfere with anyone one at all, especially my neighbours.
how and where can i now run my little venture, i certainly can not afford a shop and my business would only be a tiny one,no staff just me....
is there anyway i can get round this issue with the housing association?

Find a suitable business premises to run your new business from

Good luck in your new business venture!

CAB_National_Representative · 19 November 2012 at 12:35PM

blackwidow22 wrote: »

Hi

i want to run my own Cake Business from home and have the space to do so but after asking the Housing association if i could to this, it was a flat no!
they said please read your tenancy agreement as it states no business's to be run from the property..and that was that!
i am so upset as i have always dreamed of having my own business and it is not like my little venture would interfere with anyone one at all, especially my neighbours.
how and where can i now run my little venture, i certainly can not afford a shop and my business would only be a tiny one,no staff just me....
is there anyway i can get round this issue with the housing association?

Hi blackwidow22 - unfortunately we're not covering questions on running a business from home. We'd suggest contacting your local bureau for help in the areas that they can cover.

There's also the Federation of Small Businesses - and they run a helpline as well as having a website with all sorts of information and resources.

You may also be interested in this Government Home Business Guide (produced by the Dept for Business, Innovation & Skills).

maninthestreet · 19 November 2012 at 3:01PM

This goes to show you can't make your cake and sell it.....

Housing association refused my application to run a business from home??

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