[lolaB]

Can anyone offer advice on the rules and regulations or what needs to be in place to rent a house for commercial purposes. This is assuming it is possible to rent a house to use it commercially? From looking at commercial lettings specifically there aren't many buidlings fit for purpose so I would need to rent a house that has around 8 bedrooms in it. Understandably I would ensure appropriate insurance, Fire safety and general health and safety assessments and appropriate measures were in place. Thank you for any advice.

[camron_hussy]

If running your business from home means that the use of the building changes a lot, or the activities that you undertake have an effect on the area where you live, you may need to apply for planning permission from your local authority.

You may have to apply for planning permission if:

Your home will no longer be used mainly as a private residence. This is the key test - has it become business premises first and a home second?
Your business activities will lead to increased traffic or parking in a residential area.
Your business involves any unusual activities for a residential area.
Your business may disturb your neighbours at unreasonable hours or create other forms of nuisance, such as noise or smells.
You are making major structural changes to your property, altering or extending it.
If you need to make structural changes to your home, they must meet the requirements of the building regulations, which are enforced by local authorities.

You can check informally with your local council whether your proposed development needs planning permission. For a fee, you can also apply for a formal decision.

You may be able to make minor business use of your home without paying business rates. But if you convert part of your home exclusively for business use (like a workshop), you may become liable for business rates on it. If your renting then you will obviously also have to seek the permission of the landlord. Hope this helps

[lolaB]

Many Thaks Camron, there are some useful starting points there for me to look into. I will be renting a building soley for business use that will be separate from my home. It will be a combination of an office and accommodation that needs to be like home from home for the people that will be accessing the service. I definitely will need to check with the landlord too. Ideally i would like to purchase a property, however in the short term if we would like to extend our business soon then renting may be a good option. many thanks once again.

[DerbyTup]

Check out the Businesslink website - you should find some good advice on there.

[steveroberts]

Originally Posted by lolaB

Many Thaks Camron, there are some useful starting points there for me to look into. I will be renting a building soley for business use that will be separate from my home. It will be a combination of an office and accommodation that needs to be like home from home for the people that will be accessing the service. I definitely will need to check with the landlord too. Ideally i would like to purchase a property, however in the short term if we would like to extend our business soon then renting may be a good option. many thanks once again.

You will definitely need the permission of the landlord (particularly if the business attracts business rates). Renting an 8 bedroom property will be much (much) more expensive than renting an equivalent, like for like (from a space perspective), commercial property.