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Ask about running a business from home?

Running a business from home is becoming increasingly common. Hexagon wants to encourage our residents to set up and run businesses from home because for many, this is a great way to provide an income.

If you want to do this, you must get our permission in writing first. Provided your business is not illegal or likely to cause disruption to your neighbours, we try to look favourably on any application we receive and each case is considered on its own merit.

We recognise that many people nowadays want to work from home running their own business. Our starting point as your landlord is therefore to look positively on all requests and to grant permission unless circumstances suggest otherwise. These may include situations where running a business:

• Is likely to cause a nuisance to neighbours or damage to the property,

• Would require major adaptation of the property,

• Has not satisfied the requirements other relevant agencies, for example by obtaining planning permission or a CRB check.

Although there are clearly some businesses that it are unsuitable to be run from home, we are really keen that where it is appropriate, we do all that we can to support our residents to set up businesses and for them to thrive.

For queries relating to setting up a business and your tenancy, you should contact your housing officer.

For support setting up a business from home, please call the Community Investment Team.

Examples of some businesses that are not suitable to be operated from home and which we would not give permission for are:

Car or motorcycle repairs

Hairdressers or barbers

Anything involving heavy or noisy machinery

Any business attracting a large number of visitors to the property

A business which means you have to stock flammable products, for example, gas canisters, white spirits, petrol, cooking oil

Any business involving numerous animals, birds or reptiles

Any business which would need to store a significant number of items within the property or outside space, for example, cooking ingredients and large electrical goods

Any business which would compromise the health and safety of the resident, other occupants or neighbours