Is my neighbor committing benefit fraud

mart.vader

d123 wrote: »

What kind of injection do you want? A sedative to calm your nerves or something stronger :D.

I've deciphered it. I think he means an injunction !

theartfullodger

In my experience, overall, the Polish are on balance harder-working, with more potential & drive, than those persons born in Blightly. Suggest you concentrate of the indigenous benefit cheats (eg the Windsors,,)

reheat

Naf wrote: »

There's nothing illegal about that at all.

This link shows what you are saying is very wrong in this instance:-

http://www.richmond.gov.uk/home/environment/planning/planning_and_business/frequently_asked_planning_questions_for_business_people/can_i_work_from_home_or_can_i_run_a_business_from_my_house.htm

southerndave

Agree with others above - working from home is not necessarily a crime and unless you have evidence, how does anyone know he is claiming benefits, what his rent is, etc? The only 'crime' that may have been committed is that SFAIK you aren't legally allowed to carry out vehicle maintenance on the public highway, although it is rarely envoked, plus working in this manner may contravene other bylaws. But as the local council seem loathe to pursue it does indicate that this is perhaps not the case?

The guy's nationality also has nothing to do with it. Really, if it is causing you so much stress, you'd be better seeing your local CAB or similar for some independent advice service and presenting them with known fact (not conjecture or opinion) and taking it from there.

Just my tuppence worth.

Naf

MobileSaver wrote: »

Sorry but this is totally incorrect; it is illegal as the neighbour clearly does not have the necessary planning permission.

Anyone can normally run a quiet admin-type business from home that doesn't affect any neighbours but a retail business that causes a disturbance such as noise and smells requires explicit permission.

OP as others have said contact your local councillor and pressure the council into taking proper enforcement action. Good luck.

So again; there's nothing wrong with running a business from home; granted sometimes you may need permissions. People's comments have been suggesting that having any sort if business at home is illegal; and its not.

theartfullodger wrote: »

indigenous benefit cheats (eg the Windsors,,)

Please, enlighten us how the Winsors are cheating the benefit system, or indeed the country. Better still enlighten yourself: http://youtu.be/bhyYgnhhKFw

mhmmhm

reheat wrote: »

This link shows what you are saying is very wrong in this instance:-

http://www.richmond.gov.uk/home/environment/planning/planning_and_business/frequently_asked_planning_questions_for_business_people/can_i_work_from_home_or_can_i_run_a_business_from_my_house.htm

Yes, but this does not make the neighbour a BENEFITS cheat

reheat

southerndave wrote: »

Agree with others above - working from home is not necessarily a crime and unless you have evidence, how does anyone know he is claiming benefits, what his rent is, etc? The only 'crime' that may have been committed is that SFAIK you aren't legally allowed to carry out vehicle maintenance on the public highway, although it is rarely envoked, plus working in this manner may contravene other bylaws. But as the local council seem loathe to pursue it does indicate that this is perhaps not the case?

The guy's nationality also has nothing to do with it. Really, if it is causing you so much stress, you'd be better seeing your local CAB or similar for some independent advice service and presenting them with known fact (not conjecture or opinion) and taking it from there.

Just my tuppence worth.

When you are caught up in a very difficult situation like the OP is, the whys and wherefores can get pretty confused/confusing. OP knows the neighbour is causing grief, knows it must be illegal in some way, but getting mixed up about what it is or is not that is illegal, and about how how best to sort it.

Nationality would only be an issue if they are not allowed to work (or even be) in the UK. Beyond that I fully agree it should not be an issue at all.

But when the business you run from a residential address is causing very obvious distress/disturbance to neighbours in this way, I think it extremely unlikely the proper legal permissions have been obtained.

Depends really if the OP is being over-sensitive, or if neighbour is genuinely causing significant nuisance. The fact he is not prepared to discuss it with OP, but resorts to aggression, suggests he doesn't give a fig about anyone else and that maybe OP is the injured party here.

reheat

mhmmhm wrote: »

Yes, but this does not make the neighbour a BENEFITS cheat

No, but read my previous post. Bad neighbour situations can lead to a lot of stress, and along with the stress comes confusion also. OP knows the neighbour must be doing something illegal, but not clear what, and in desperation to get some help, homing in on the wrong thing.

MobileSaver

Naf wrote: »

So again; there's nothing wrong with running a business from home; granted sometimes you may need permissions.

Um, no, there is everything wrong with running a business from home as described by the OP. It is against the law and your original statement was totally incorrect.

"Exhaust fumes & engine revs/running for hours, bonnets open all day. Doors slamming" The law explicitly prohibits people from disturbing their neighbours with noise and smells from a business without permission.

Planning Permission

reborndoll wrote: »

Buy some earplugs? Get out the house? Stop caring what your neighbour is doing? ... Build a higher fence and get a life?

It says more about you that you are happy to turn a blind eye to someone breaking the law.

I genuinely think you would have a different opinion if it was you having to put up with noises and smells by your front door every day.

00ec25

"illegality"

a) possible breach of planning permission for operating a licenseable business from home - talk to council and you councillor

b) possible breach of environmental waste regulations - possible contamination of land, failure to have oil interceptor traps before it reaches the drains, failure to dispose of trade waste correctly - speak to Environmental Health dept at council

c) possible selling vehicles whilst posing as a private individual rather than a dealer - speak to Trading Standards who will not be interested unless you have evidence

"vindictiveness"

possible tax evasion from cash in hand business - report him to HMRC