Written permission from Landlord

Mistral001

Asking for it in writing is perhaps opening a can of worms and might actually be of less value to the Op than the verbal permission already obtained.

The letter would probably supersede the verbal permission as it post dates the conversation where permission was given and unless the letter was written by an expert in tenancy agreements it might be picked to pieces by any good lawyer expert in the field.

I would consult a solicitor before writing the letter for the landlord to sign.

PlutoinCapricorn

A lot depends on the scale of the 'business'. A private person might well order bits and pieces from time to time to make jewellery as presents for their family and friends, and the OP may well not do any more than the private person would do or have any more stock.

You only need to contact the council if conversions are involved, or there is a major change from residential to business use. Someone sitting at their kitchen table threading beads does not come under this rule. Filling one whole room with boxes and using it only as a storeroom would.

YoYoY

If a breach of borrowing terms by the LL results in the lender repossessing the property, applying to the court to evict the tenants, thereby allowing the property to be sold with vacant possession so that the lender can recover the money they have secured on it, then it will become an issue to the OP.

Our local planning authority certainly take complaints by neighbours in a residential development very seriously if they are inconvenienced by the additional noise, congestion and/or other inconvenience of deliveries/shipments to/from a business operating contrary to proper planning approval.

InsideInsurance

YoYoY wrote: »

If a breach of borrowing terms by the LL results in the lender repossessing the property, applying to the court to evict the tenants, thereby allowing the property to be sold with vacant possession so that the lender can recover the money they have secured on it, then it will become an issue to the OP.

Can you name a single case of a bank repossessing a landlords property and evicting the tenants purely on the grounds of the tenant operating a home based business which doesnt involve client visits, conversion etc?

Given current property prices, base rate and mortgage interest rates what bank would be daft enough to do it if all payments are up to date etc and secondly if the bank was, which court would make a person homeless for these reasons if operating within the terms of their tenancy and planing permissions?

YoYoY

No, but then I understand there are millions of people starving in Africa, and I can't name one of them either!

I'm not a lawyer, but I don't think a court would make someone homeless if they were to operate in breach of planning permission. The court would order they cease operation of the business at the residential property.

If, following a court order, the person carried on their business in contempt of court, I would think the court would willingly supply that person with alternative accommodation ... at her majesty's pleasure

spilledink

InsideInsurance wrote: »

Why do you want to force yourself to keep it tidy/ stop yourself expanding into other areas unless you have to?

Ok, I am used to negotiating contracts for corporations and they are easier to terminate than a landlord getting you kicked out of your home but the basic principle of never giving them rope to hang you still applies!

I took your advice with this and have kept it simple. I'm sure my LL will be happy, if not he would have asked for more details, as you suggested.

I'm only using half of a room in the flat for my business, but will contact the council anyway to inform them. I need to do this because of council tax as well, as far as I know.

Slinky

spilledink wrote: »

I'm only using half of a room in the flat for my business, but will contact the council anyway to inform them. I need to do this because of council tax as well, as far as I know.

So you want to try to start paying business rates on half a room in your flat? Just forget about telling the council, that's a whole can of worms that doesn't need opening.

Your landlord is happy with you 'working from home', leave it at that. AFAIK business rates etc would only be applicable if the room was used wholy and exclusively for the business.

Concentrate on running your business, you're worrying too much.

PlutoinCapricorn

I can't see any reason to contact the council either.

If you were planning to convert one bedroom to an acupuncture treatment room it would be a different matter! This would involve a major change from residential to business purposes. Normal home life does not involve clients coming in for treatment, but it may involve a bit of candle making or working in the home 'office'.

spilledink

I'm sure I won't need to pay business rates. I get help with council tax and I want to be forthright with them, to avoid cans of worms later on.