running Ebay business from rented house

LEJC

owl_lover wrote: »

It all seems a bit extreme when I'm planning on selling a maximum of 100 small items a week.
Would this even count as a 'business'?

100 small items a week could mean 100 diamond rings...it could mean possibly 100 wedding favours(using this example because you mention sweets)....there is a lot of difference between the 2 ...but what you need to consider is the profit you make and whether in starting up this business you actually turn a profit which you may need to pay tax on.


Initially I understand your reluctance to mention it to the LL/LA as indeed your venture may not take off as anymore than a hobby,but if it does and it ends up taking over a spare room or slightly more than the kitchen table then you may find that over a period of time you have breached the conditions of your rental.


I can only echo what others have said about insurance,both of your stock and the storing of excessive amounts of a substance...should there be a fire/theft/flood etc you may not be covered and potentially you will invalidate the insurance held by the LL on their property....extreme I know but a possibility.


Go on spill the beans ...what exactly are you planning,it may help if people responding know what the "business" is at least in general terms...
selling hairspray didnt seem a bad idea to Mo in EE until it was considered wrongly to be the cause of the fire that wipe out Alfie and Kat's home....fiction I know but a lesson in there somewhere.

CKhalvashi

lincroft1710 wrote: »

Yes, if they have no other address for the defaulter. Plenty of posts on this site from tenants and new owners who have experienced this.

I had it on the day I moved into my house, and several times since.

Shown our passports, and they've left at that point with no further fuss.

owl_lover

It's children's party bags... possibly wedding favours too coincidentally.
So really low value, and I don't expect to make a large profit.
I'm wondering whether it's worth making several ( maybe 10?) and putting them on Ebay to see if anyone actually buys them before approaching LL etc?

Jagraf

owl_lover wrote: »

It's children's party bags... possibly wedding favours too coincidentally.
So really low value, and I don't expect to make a large profit.
I'm wondering whether it's worth making several ( maybe 10?) and putting them on Ebay to see if anyone actually buys them before approaching LL etc?

It is still a business. I can't stress that enough. You will be running a business and you will need an address. That address will no doubt be the house you are renting. Also you will need to think about the implications of selling food on line.

All perfectly do-able, but do it in the right way.

LEJC

owl_lover wrote: »

It's children's party bags... possibly wedding favours too coincidentally.
So really low value, and I don't expect to make a large profit.
I'm wondering whether it's worth making several ( maybe 10?) and putting them on Ebay to see if anyone actually buys them before approaching LL etc?

I would test the market a little first to see if there is the demand for them...personally I can understand pretty wedding favours,but party bags I am not so sure....I would have thought that the postage would be your major cost to put a lot of people off.
Whats the demand like locally in your area,have you got some good links with toddler groups etc as thats probably the market that requires a party bag most....
I dont want to sound down about the idea,but my kids thought the party was great if they came home with a few sweets and a wedge of cake in their bag,and from a mothers point of view they were one of the things that we constructed quite cheaply ourselves....I cant imagine paying someone to put them together and then post them to me


I hope the demand is there for you,try a few first and if it doesnt take off you havent lost anything...but if it does take off be mindful to tell the LL/LA etc
good luck

lovinituk

And don't forget to register as Self Employed with HMRC as soon as you start selling. You have to do this even if you have another job and even if you are not making much money or a loss.