Alternative address as a sole trader

Vixxxy

I am wanting to start as a sole trader but live in a rented property. 

I will be selling very small items online, using postal services. It takes up one desk and a shelving unit within a bedroom of my 3 bed property. 

I have written and explained this all to my landlord. 

Do I have any others options if my landlord does not allow me to set up at this address? 

Ie. Can I use my parents address? 

DullGreyGuy

So you are proposing to base your business at your parents house or just use their address but operate from your home?

Running a business involving stock has a number of potential complications to do it from home but many people do it without thinking and only some get unstuck. Where ever it's being operated it needs to be declared on the Home insurance, many insurers wont cover homes with business stock in it. Similarly you cannot use your vehicles to deliver the items to the post office/courier without insurance covering carrying parcels. Deeds, planning permissions, leases etc may all have issues with businesses being run from a home.

Also consider that sometimes, obviously not often, disgruntled customers may decide to visit the business and how you'd deal with that.

Depending on what you are selling then there can be the option of using a fulfilment company but that will add costs to you so understand their storage fees, minimum fees and notice periods to cancel. 

Vixxxy

I have researched everything I need to do but this address situation is tripping me up. I just need to know what my legal options are if I can’t use my home address. 

Thankyou for replying

tightauldgit

Vixxxy said:

I am wanting to start as a sole trader but live in a rented property. 

I will be selling very small items online, using postal services. It takes up one desk and a shelving unit within a bedroom of my 3 bed property. 

I have written and explained this all to my landlord. 

Do I have any others options if my landlord does not allow me to set up at this address? 

Ie. Can I use my parents address? 

Use the address for 'what' exactly? Just to receive post? To actually perform the business activity? I suspect that the landlord can't prevent you from using the address as a business address but may well be able to stop you doing specific things X Y Z at the address - such as storing inventory, etc.

If it's literally just to use as an address on paperwork, then provided you can receive any mail sent there you can use any address you want - so your parents address would be fine, or if its easier set yourself up with a PO Box or a virtual address. 

DullGreyGuy

Vixxxy said:

I have researched everything I need to do but this address situation is tripping me up. I just need to know what my legal options are if I can’t use my home address. 

Thankyou for replying

As I say, you need to clarify if you are talking about a mailing address or where your operations are based... the later is going to be the more problematic for everyone. You could potentially:

1) Use your home if you get the permissions and ensure your insurances are all ok
2) Use someone elses home if they have the necessary permissions and have sorted their insurances out (or are willing to run the risk)
3) Use a fulfillment company
4) Hire a small space for your operations
5) Use your home without permission and run the risk

For your address similar to the above but for 3 becomes split between the fulfillment company dealing with returns and getting a virtual office or PO Box for your other mail or just using these instead of a fulfillment company

Mistral001

Vixxxy said:

I am wanting to start as a sole trader but live in a rented property. 

I will be selling very small items online, using postal services. It takes up one desk and a shelving unit within a bedroom of my 3 bed property. 

I have written and explained this all to my landlord. 

Do I have any others options if my landlord does not allow me to set up at this address? 

Ie. Can I use my parents address? 

The die is cast with your letter to the Landlord.  You will have to see what their reply is before you can do anything.