Can I work from home or can I run a business from my house?
You do not usually need planning permission just to work from home but sometimes you do. The key test is whether the nature of your residence has changed because of the business. If the answer to any of the following questions is "yes", then you will probably need permission:
- Is your house no longer chiefly a private residence?
- Will your business result in a marked rise in traffic, people calling or working around the house or in out buildings?
- Will your business involve obvious activities not usual in a residential street?
- Will your business disturb your neighbours because of noise or smells?
The key test is whether the house still mainly a home or has it become business premises? This is whatever the business, including using a room as an office, hairdressing, repairing cars, storing goods, using part of the house as a bedsit, running a "bed and breakfast", providing childminding or music teaching.
Some of these things may also require you to submit a Building Regulation Application especially changing the use of the premises, sub-dividing a home or new building as extensions.