Running a business from your home

Your tenancy agreement says that you (or anyone living with you) must not run a business from your home without the Council’s agreement in writing.

It also says that we won't normally refuse permission unless the business would cause a nuisance or might damage the property. This means that you are welcome to run a business from home provided you ask us first and get our permission in writing, and provided also that it is legal and does not cause problems for neighbours or damage to the property (including the garden if there is one).

You must always contact us first if you are thinking about running a business from your home. Contact your local housing team or use the online form. We'll consider your request and may need to ask you for further information or to meet one of our staff to discuss what the business is likely to entail. We may also need to visit your home to check that your business isn't likely to cause problems for neighbours or damage to the property or garden.

Getting permission

Having carried out the necessary checks and made sure that there isn't a good reason to refuse permission, we'll write to you to confirm that permission is given to run a business. If we need to attach any conditions or restrictions to this - such as saying that you can only carry out the business in question within certain hours - we'll let you know.

If your business starts to cause problems, or you breach any conditions we have set down, then we can write to you withdrawing our permission. We could also take action against you under the sections of your tenancy dealing with nuisance to neighbours or damage to the property.

Examples of the type of business which we would normally give permission for:

  • Internet or phone based businesses (provided they are not illegal)

  • Creative or ''knowledge'' based activities - for example design or publishing
  • Mail order or catalogue businesses
  • Being a registered childminder (You must be properly registered with Ofsted and pass certain legal checks in order to do this otherwise you would be breaking the law. Visit www.ncma.org.uk to find out about this.)

Examples of the type of business which we would NOT normally give permission for:

  • Anything illegal

  • Anything which involves working on vehicles
  • Anything involving heavy equipment or machinery
  • Anything which involves hazardous substances
  • Anything which involves storing equipment or materials in such quantities or in a way which causes a fire or other risk, or is unsightly or causes a nuisance
  • Anything which might create parking problems or large numbers of visitors to your home
  • Anything which impinges upon internal or external communal areas
  • Anything which would require planning permission

Whatever type of business you are thinking of, it is your responsibility to make sure that you comply with any legal, insurance, licensing or other requirements associated with it. If you don't do this then we can refuse or withdraw permission for you to run the business from your home.

If in doubt, please come and talk to us first.

For more information, visit the MCC website for information and support for business start ups and social enterprises.

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