If you?re thinking of turning the spare room into a home office and working for yourself, there may be a few questions on your mind. Here answers to some of the most frequently asked questions to Enterprise Nation?s Emma Jones.
Do I need planning permission?
This is the question that usually crops up first and there?s a simple answer!
You?ll need planning permission if you answer ?yes? to any of these questions:
? Will your home business mean more traffic on your street or more people calling at your house?
? Will your home business involve any activity considered unusual for a residential area?
? Will your home no longer be used mainly as a private residence?
? Will your home business disturb your neighbours at unsociable hours or with unreasonable noise or smell?
You can see that what the planners really want to know is whether you?ll disturb your neighbours by having customers call or noisy deliveries. If this is the case, it?s best to get in touch with the council, but if you?ll be accommodating the business quietly at home, don?t worry, you won?t need planning permission.
Should I tell my mortgage provider?
I suggest it?s best to let them know even though it won?t mean any change in the mortgage repayment.
What about my insurance provider? Do they need to know?
Yes, do inform your insurance company. Tell them the equipment and stock you have at home. An upgrade from domestic to a business policy is not expensive so don?t be put off in making this call!
Do I need protection for when customers and contacts come to visit?
Yes, carry out a health and safety check which is easy to do by following the steps set out by the Health?and Safety Executive in their Homeworking Guide.? (http://tinyurl.com/2x7elt)
Saving the best ?til last, should I tell the tax man?
Yes! Depending on your company status, you?ll probably be submitting tax returns and working from home entitles you to claim certain expenses (like home office heat and lighting) to reduce your tax bill.
If you have any other questions on starting and growing a business from home, email me or visit our forums to receive responses from your homeworking peers!
Emma Jones is founder and editor of www.enterprisenation.com, the home business website. She can be contacted at emma@enterprisenation.com?
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