Checked by Council

Hmmm, afraid every streets got one, a neighbour with too much time on their hands.

During our house extension, we had multiple visits from Environmental Health after complaints from next door, visits from the Police, as a builders van was parked (legally) outside of their house, and finally solicitors letters...

Sounds like you have a similar neighbor. Maybe it's jealousy, or they are naturally mean spirited

But there are certain rules and red tape you need to follow if you are running a business from home, especially if you are receiving customers onto your premises, and as Clive says, the council will probably want to see evidence of employers liablilty insurance, and any other requirements.

I agree with Linda, maybe speak to your local Citizens Advice, or wait till you get the paperwork from the council, and if its bad news (it may not be), the CAB people can advise on a course of action, if the council haven't already outlined one.

Personally, I feel there's an advantage in finding out how one stands and what your "negotiating" options are ASAP (ideally before the Council's decided on its own position). It's usually less worrying too.

People who don't take proper advice are easy victims (for example, sick and disabled people who don't get advice are around 3 times less likely to win their appeals against ATOS decisions than those that do).

If the Council ring you up / visit you again, it may be a good idea to pleasantly stonewall them until you've had advice - and let them know you're taking advice from an organisation they respect (and are wary of).

You might say, for example, in reply to any demand for a formal interview "I'm really feeling quite concerned about this bolt from the blue so I need proper advice beforehand ... the first appointment [the Citizens Advice Bureau] can offer me is [January 7]. I'll get in touch with you immediately afterwards and we can schedule a date for this meeting".

Don't budge from your position, it's too risky for you.

Good luck! Linda

I am not sure if it is related at all but I have received the following letter, what does it mean?

"I am writing from Milton Keynes Business Rates department regarding your home hair salon. It is likely that it will need to be rated for Business Rates. Please could you let me know when that part of your property was became a salon."

What does it mean "to be rated for Business Rates"?
And what is Milton Keynes Business Rates department ?
Why are they asking that question?

thumbsdownthumbsdown No ifs or buts about this now, Lina - you must get professional advice as fast as you can make an appointment. I don't know whether this advice needs to come from your business banking advisor, a chartered accountant or a solicitor - ask each what they'd be able to do for you if you booked an appointment with them.

Business rates are normally very expensive and at a later stage there'd presumably be lots of tax and other complications if you wanted to sell your house.

Maybe the accountants and tax specialists on the forum could advise on the general risks but I think you need a one to one discussion about your personal circumstances, what's happened to date with the Council and so on before you do or say anything further.

I think you also need to be a bit careful what you write on public forums now. I doubt whether Milton Keynes local authority monitor this forum but anything's possible!


Good luck. Linda

Thank you for your answer.
Although it does not answer any of my questions that I asked above but only creates additional questions for me.

Why should I be careful about what I am writing on public forums?
Even if a local authority does monitor this so what? Have I said anything bad?

Why would there be complications when I come to sell my house?

Local Authorities levy Council Tax on domestic premises and Business Rates on business premises. From your point of view, the likely consequence of being rated for Business Rates is that the costs of running your business will increase by a huge amount.


Another department of the Council.



I'd guess they're thinking of charging you Business Rates from the time when you started the home salon business - you could be facing a very big bill.


Assuming the law and regulations for Business Rates are as complex and chaotic as those for Council Tax, it's highly probable you could damage your own case by a few incautious words ... so don't say anything until you've been properly advised.

I feel I've now given all the advice I can usefully give so will make no further comment. Would just like to say "best of luck" and hope all goes well for you. Linda

Thank you for the clarification, it is more or less clear now.

The next question I guess is who I can ask for help and advice.

As Linda has said, CAB is a good option, they are free and impartial, if nothing else they should point you in the right direction.

Citizens Advice - the charity for your community

Or, and I know Linda and others will say no, but me personally, I'd be tempted to talk to the Council, assume you have contact information from the letters they have sent, phone them up and start a discussion. They will want to resolve the issue and must have a course of action that can be followed. But that's just me.

I can only echo Steves advice above - when i spoke to the Council about my issue they turned out to be very helpful offering lots of advice about what i could do to sort the problem.

Personally I would ring them sooner rather than later and a start a dialogue, from this you can understand what it is they are asking of you and the implications behind it and set a plan of action to resolve the problem and get the necessary permissions in place as soon as.

As to the Council reading this, unlikely but anything is possible and like you have said all you have done is ask the Forum for some advice - nothing illegal at all in that.

Good luck & keep us posted.

So I should speak to Council not the CAB?
Who exactly in Council? What department?

How long can I hold my reply for to that Business Rates email?