Self-employed - what address to use?

Bluedaisy_2

Hi,

I hope I am putting this in the right place!

I am setting up as self-employed as a freelance photographer, but my tenancy says I cannot run a business from my home address.
I won't actually be doing photography or meeting clients at home, but I will be editing images etc here and my (small amount of) equipment will be stored here.
I would like advice about whether I should I use my parents address (with their permission) for the business instead of my own, or is this likely to cause problems in the long-term with insurance, business rates, or anything else.

Many thanks

steve1980

You should be using your home address or a virtual office address. If you use your parents home then you will cause problems for them.

InsideInsurance

Speak to your landlord, most in my experience are willing to waive the business clause as long as you give assurances of no clients on site etc.

Lovelyjoolz

And if your LL says no, you can use your accountants address - many businesses doo, even large ones.

Just make sure that they don't charge the earth for it!

Premier_2

Bluedaisy wrote: »

Hi,

I hope I am putting this in the right place!

I am setting up as self-employed as a freelance photographer, but my tenancy says I cannot run a business from my home address.
I won't actually be doing photography or meeting clients at home, but I will be editing images etc here and my (small amount of) equipment will be stored here.
I would like advice about whether I should I use my parents address (with their permission) for the business instead of my own, or is this likely to cause problems in the long-term with insurance, business rates, or anything else.

Many thanks

You can use any address you like, providing you can access the mail from there.

The issue you have is where are you going to operate your business from if your tenancy agreement prohibits the running of a business from there. You need to get that sorted out first.

Horace

Do you need to tell your landlord anything at all - you won't be seeing clients in your home at all and just using part of it to edit images and store equipment will you? He won't need to know and it doesnt matter if you have post going to your address that is bluedaisy trading as bluedaisy photography - he doesnt open your post does he?

I have a landlord who doesnt allow businesses but I live here, don't cause any bother, don't see clients here at all either. I think the clause in the tenancy agreement is more aimed at folks who set up as a mechanic from home which causes a nuisance to neighbours.

Savvy_Sue

I'd agree that the first starting point is to talk to the landlord, it is normally a blanket restriction in the TA for the reasons Horace points out, but certainly with a social landlord permission to run a business in these circumstances wouldn't normally be refused.

The other issue IS insurance - wherever the business is officially run from, if it's business equipment your contents insurer will want to know. And will charge accordingly. Sorry, but you do risk invalidating the whole policy if you ignore this, even if you say you don't want cover for your biz equipment, I believe.

Bluedaisy_2

Thanks all,
Yes I am wondering if I need to tell him at all for the time being. I doubt her even knows the clause is in my tenancy agreement and he is unlikely to mind. I just don't want to ask and have him say no!

And Sue, thanks, yes - I am looking into the insurance side of things - and that is one of the reasons I would feel more comfortable using my home as my address so everything is clear and straightforward.

Cheers for your help

Premier_2

Bluedaisy wrote: »

Thanks all,
Yes I am wondering if I need to tell him at all for the time being. I doubt her even knows the clause is in my tenancy agreement and he is unlikely to mind. I just don't want to ask and have him say no!

...

You need to discuss this with your landlord.

If he doesn't mind what you using the property for the business you intend to use it for, then it's unlikley he'll refuse permission.

However, the clause may be there because of his own borrowing and/or insurance restrictions. You don't know, and you won't know for sure if he'll allow you to run this business from his propertry unless you do ask him.

If you think he's going to say no if you ask, so don't ask, then what do you think will happen to you, your home and your new business if/when he does find out?

POM

How do you set up a virtual address and is this legal? i resid ein spain and want to set up in the uk as my main business base and trade worldwide can I do this and pay all my taxes in the uk.tax return etc via the web?

Premier_2

POM wrote: »

How do you set up a virtual address and is this legal? i resid ein spain and want to set up in the uk as my main business base and trade worldwide can I do this and pay all my taxes in the uk.tax return etc via the web?

You set up a virtual address by subscribing to someone that offers one.

However, you can't by definition operate from a virtual address. See your thread for details of where to pay tax.
https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/3878771