Self employed while renting

jonbull

I'm currently in full time employment with a company and renting a property. I'd like to do some contract work for another company and therefore need to register myself as self employed. Now my tenancy agreement says "Not to carry on any trade or profession" does this mean I can't provide the address of the rented property to HM Revenue & Customs?

As I see it I'm not running a business from the property I'm just using the address to receive mail. Am I wrong in my thinking?

Any advice is welcome!

ncooper1974

You're correct in your thinking.
I've been 'running' my business for over 9 years now, 6 of these years have been in flats with the same clause as the one your lease.

Its there basically to stop people running noisy machinery on the premises as part of there business. I could try to find the correct term, but the gist of it is you CAN use the premise as your registered office

Good luck in the self employment! its pretty tough out there at the moment, so I think you're wise in keeping your full time job at the same time

jonbull

Thanks for putting my mind at rest.

I could ask the letting agent but I'm worried they wouldn't understand what I mean and just say "no" outright!

If I went ahead and registered as self employed at the address I can't see how they would know I had without opening my mail?!

Thanks, I've thought long and hard about doing contract work and I've got a clear goal in mind. I'm not looking at getting rid of my full time job anytime soon!

Gingernutmeg

My OH is self employed and uses our home address as his business address. We were clear about this from the start with the letting agency and they couldn't care less, it really wasn't an issue with them.

ncooper1974

Presumably if you're going self employed, then you'll need an accountant.
If for whatever reason you find that you cannot use your rented accomodation as the registered business, then most accountants offer a service to use their office as the registered address - just a thought.

zebulon

jonbull wrote: »

I could ask the letting agent but I'm worried they wouldn't understand what I mean and just say "no" outright! .

I would just not bother to mention anything to the agency.

If you end up talking to some clueless agent - who as you said won't (or will not want to) understand what you're on about - you'll just get yourself into more stress than you should really.

I did some self-employed bits and bobs and used my flat address and that's all there is to it. I would really not worry about this (mainly if you're a good tenant who takes care of the flat, pay on time etc)

I really think this is to avoid businesses that can disturb the property, the neighbours etc...

sarah_elton

ncooper1974 wrote: »

Presumably if you're going self employed, then you'll need an accountant.
If for whatever reason you find that you cannot use your rented accomodation as the registered business, then most accountants offer a service to use their office as the registered address - just a thought.

You don't necessarily need an accountant. If you're just registering with HMRC as a sole trader and doing a bit of freelance work, there's no need. I did this for two years in my spare time and just declared the earnings on my self-assessment form, and paid the tax bill.

However, because I did it that way I wasn't very efficient - didn't bother claiming anything against the profit for my electricity bills etc. If you want to go down that route then you'll need some advice from an accountant.

As I said, I was self-employed beside full time work for two years, first in my rented flat then in my owned. I didn't tell my landlord or my mortgage company but they haven't found out and shouted at me.

SassC100

Hi

Just on a similar topic does anyone know what references / income details I would have to provide if I am self employed and looking to move into rented accomodation??

Thanks!