[paul13]

My mate is starting up and is worried
because his neighbour is giving him grief
about running a business from home
van in drive, water tank in garage ect.
Does any one know the regulations on this
or where to find out where he stands?

[Michael Peterson]

got nothing to do with his neighbor

[Soupy]

got nothing to do with his neighbor

+1

He stands where ever he likes. It's his house.

[deeege]

Aslong as he is declaring his income and paying his taxes, whether he's trading as a sole trader or limited company, he can do whatever he likes from his home and it's got absolutely nothing to do with his neighbour.

[Soupy]

Second thoughts tell him not to bother, be as well quit now. Window cleaning is for loosers. No point upsetting the neighborhood for a pittance.

[PoleKing]

Answers so far not strictly true (except Soupy's-pack it in )
The terms of his lease or mortgage MAY prohibit customers coming to his house.
Like if he was running a bike workshop from the garage, customers would be coming and going, perhaps parking on the road, perhaps at unsociable hours.
This needs permission. It changes the use of a domestic home to business use.
Doing WC does not count. The water production is almost negligible and the clerical aspect is always permitted.

It doesn't have anything to do with his neighbour, correct, but he could be a snivelly little weasel and blab to the rental people or bank/BS who it does have something to do with.

Your mate might do well to dig out his mortgage terms (or lease/rental agreement) and clarify his terms.
He could tell his neighbour to 'do one' but in my experience it's always better to be at least polite, as you've gotta live next to 'em.
Saying 'thanks for your concern, I wasn't 100% sure what I was allowed to do. I've checked my paperwork and I'm fine. Thanks for the heads up though' will do much more for the neighbourly relationship than 'Sod off you nosey git'

[andyM]

He's not "running a business from home" is he, as in having a business premises?
He goes to customers properties to carry out his work, unless of course they bring their windows to his house so he can clean them?

[AuRavelling79]

PoleKing - sometimes you're good, sometimes you're very good.

This time you were very good!

 

The neighbour thing is so true. Polite, appreciative but firm. Less chance of him dobbing you in to the water company etc.

In my first house in Avonmouth the land was 999 year leasehold from the "Diocese of Clifton" but the rent was £2.50 a year set in 1909! I stayed leasehold. Any restrictions didn't matter as my self employment was only clerical from home. (out of sight)

This house - the lease of the land was 999s year from the City of Bristol, set in 1928 at £14 per year but I had to seek permission if I wanted to run a business from home and there were restrictions.

Back in the 90's the council were selling off the leases to a private landlord, who couldn't put the rent up but could charge admin costs if you were late and enforce conditions that the council probably wouldn't or they would sell to you much later at a much higher price.

Anyway I bought my lease out for about £400 and it became freehold.

[PoleKing]

PoleKing - sometimes you're good, sometimes you're very good.

This time you were very good!

 

The neighbour thing is so true. Polite, appreciative but firm. Less chance of him dobbing you in to the water company etc.

In my first house in Avonmouth the land was 999 year leasehold from the "Diocese of Clifton" but the rent was £2.50 a year set in 1909! I stayed leasehold. Any restrictions didn't matter as my self employment was only clerical from home. (out of sight)

This house - the lease of the land was 999s year from the City of Bristol, set in 1928 at £14 per year but I had to seek permission if I wanted to run a business from home and there were restrictions.

Back in the 90's the council were selling off the leases to a private landlord, who couldn't put the rent up but could charge admin costs if you were late and enforce conditions that the council probably wouldn't or they would sell to you much later at a much higher price.

Anyway I bought my lease out for about £400 and it became freehold.

Awww shucks. 😊

[sunshine windows]

It will also depend if he lives in a plush estate, where there are restrictions on having work vehicles left on drives. One round here insists they have to be kept in the garages out of sight.

[Ian101]

It will also depend if he lives in a plush estate, where there are restrictions on having work vehicles left on drives. One round here insists they have to be kept in the garages out of sight.

yup same here no vans on drive or caravans and no working from home.

drive around today and you will see out of 40 houses prob 3 caravans, 2 boats, lots of works vans and on any given morning some of the fellas who are self employed and work from home meet up for a coffee at 11am - not me though as im just a scummy window cleaner and not proper like these I.T. tech / architect types  ... bit like that wimmins programme desperate housewifes .


Personally I would go and tell the neighbour to do one and keep his nose out 

[andyM]

It will also depend if he lives in a plush estate, where there are restrictions on having work vehicles left on drives. One round here insists they have to be kept in the garages out of sight.

Coz heaven forbid an unsuspecting fellow resident might hurt their eyes if the vision of a work vehicle were savagely inflicted upon them.   
'elmets! 

[Mike #1]

Answers so far not strictly true (except Soupy's-pack it in )
The terms of his lease or mortgage MAY prohibit customers coming to his house.
Like if he was running a bike workshop from the garage, customers would be coming and going, perhaps parking on the road, perhaps at unsociable hours.
This needs permission. It changes the use of a domestic home to business use.
Doing WC does not count. The water production is almost negligible and the clerical aspect is always permitted.

It doesn't have anything to do with his neighbour, correct, but he could be a snivelly little weasel and blab to the rental people or bank/BS who it does have something to do with.

Your mate might do well to dig out his mortgage terms (or lease/rental agreement) and clarify his terms.
He could tell his neighbour to 'do one' but in my experience it's always better to be at least polite, as you've gotta live next to 'em.
Saying 'thanks for your concern, I wasn't 100% sure what I was allowed to do. I've checked my paperwork and I'm fine. Thanks for the heads up though' will do much more for the neighbourly relationship than 'Sod off you nosey git'

As Darren has said above we have a clause over all of the properties in our small development of barn conversions which does not allow running of a business from any of the homes as Darren has already outlined .

Discussed this with our solicitor when we were purchasing our home and been a window cleaner and just using the house as a base and servicing customers at their homes this does not count as running a business from home as nobody calls to our home . Mike

[paul13]

Thanks for the reply's everyone.
It is a joke but he will get grief off this neighbor but owns his house so no mortgage
so am I correct to think no conditions?

 

[PoleKing]

Thanks for the reply's everyone.
It is a joke but he will get grief off this neighbor but owns his house so no mortgage
so am I correct to think no conditions?

 

Could still be clauses.
Probably not though.

[Soupy]

Clauses in his title deeds are unlikely. If he owns his own house why is he fannying about cleaning windows. Just tell him to quit, I would.

[bobplum]

It will also depend if he lives in a plush estate, where there are restrictions on having work vehicles left on drives. One round here insists they have to be kept in the garages out of sight.

the estate i am on has restrictions and covenants, we all pay a fee to the management company for grounds maintenance etc and it does have restrictions on it in regards to running a business from home but has been indicated it is more about customers coming to you rather than me going to them
Also if i broke the rules it is up to individuals / neighbours  to sue me thru the courts in breach of these rules and as most of the people on the estate run businesses i dont think its going to happen, been here 8 years and no one has said anything but speak to neighbour explain then proceed

[paul13]

Clauses in his title deeds are unlikely. If he owns his own house why is he fannying about cleaning windows. Just tell him to quit, I would.

Think he still needs money to pay bills and holidays ect.

[dannymack]

tell him to get a hit man for a couple of grand all sorted then lol !!!!! 

[Smudger]

Some great answers here, as pole king has nailed this subject right on the head there is not much more to add other than even when the mortgage is paid for outright, some conditions regarding the 'estate' may still be applicable ( a newish build area in our village prohibits any caravans or motor homes to be parked on the public road, front garden or driveway - they must be located in the rear garden or a storage facility )

Having said that the majority or business restrictions refer to customers arriving and leaving the premises so in this case you can 'run' a window cleaning biz from home as work is carried out on site.

Darran