Working from home

If you are considering setting up a home office, then it should be both functional and comfortable. 

Many homeowners choose to convert an existing room, such as a box room, loft room or garage into a habitable space. If your plans are for altering an existing space in your home, consider if there’s enough natural light, space for a desk, chair and other office furniture as well as internet access and a telephone line.

Alternatively, if you do not have the space to free up inside, you can opt to add an outbuilding to create a garden office.

Planning Permission 

You do not necessarily need planning permission to work from home. If no material change of use occurs, then permission is not required. It is possible however to create a material change of use while not changing the primary use of the dwelling.

If the answer to any of the following questions is 'yes', then permission will probably be needed:

• Will your home no longer be used mainly as a private residence?
• Will your business result in a marked rise in traffic or people calling?
• Will your business involve any activities unusual in a residential area?
• Will your business disturb your neighbours at unreasonable hours or create other forms of nuisance such as noise or smells?

If you are in doubt you may apply to your council for a Certificate of Lawful Use for the proposed activity, to confirm it is not a change of use and still the lawful use. Alternatively, if there is a material change of use then you can apply for planning permission to change the use of the property.

If unsure then it is advised you contact your Local Planning Authority for more help.