I have had a visitor from the local Council to my home hair salon who was interested to know how many customers I have a day and where they park, also took pictures of the salon room etc.
What does this mean?
They might be trying to work out whether:- - there's evidence of a "change of use" from "domestic premises" to "business premises" (with all the implications that would have on local authority charges - council tax v business tax) - there's nuisance for neighbours (eg over car parking); maybe one has complained I'd ring up your Council visitor and ask why they'd visited and had taken photos of your home. You can expect straight answers from them. If there's anything that worries you in the answers you get, ask for advice from the local Chamber of Trade, your bank, etc. Remind yourself also to always check why people want to see you before they turn up (eg "Do you want a cut and blow dry or just a haircut please?"). My accountant advised me to leave a large, self-evidently "domestic" item of furniture in my "office" premises. This is feasible for me to do because I see clients elsewhere. Good luck Lina. Linda CareersPartnershipUK
“....Remind yourself also to always check why people want to see you before they turn up (eg "Do you want a cut and blow dry or just a haircut please?")....” Sorry, I've now just got this vision of Lina asking the visitor from the local Council if they'd like a cut and blow dry or just a haircut! 
“I'd ring up your Council visitor and ask why they'd visited and had taken photos of your home. You can expect straight answers from them.” I have done this and indeed they said there was a complain from a neighbor. This is quite disappointing because the complain was about me running business from home. Not necessarily parking but the actual fact of running business from home. I can't imagine who I could troubled that hard. I am shocked how people can do such a thing, do they not understand they can ruin someone's live? “Remind yourself also to always check why people want to see you before they turn up (eg "Do you want a cut and blow dry or just a haircut please?").” Sorry I did not get what you mean there Thanks, linastylist
This sort of stuff gets me right down. People with nothing better to do.  Especially towards entrepreneurs and in the middle of credit crunchy.If only there was a place to go to complain and people that complain.... hang on a min... think a new business idea has just been born... www.complainaboutcomplainers.com... who's in?
I know exactly how you feel - had the Council out recently taking fotos of my house & newly dug out drive! In short ive been shopped by nosey council dwelling neighbours who have got nothing better than to run up our Council Tax Bill by wasting their time!thumbsdown I have a piece of land to the side of my house and as my main car has been BADLY scratched whilst parked in the "communal" parking bays i decided to dig a drive out on MY land for my 2nd car (my beloved MG) Yes i have to cross the pavement to get to it, like any normal drive but the Council have been out taking fotos of it, claiming allsorts - im left fuming & speechless at how low some people get. I try and take a car off the Highway & its still not right - grrrrrr Only good thing is the Council have given me a way forward and was very understanding of my rant at him about the whole affair, ending up giving me some sound advice!!!  Anyway, was going to suggest you rang up to find out what had gone on - i assume you have got the relevant insurance to run the business from home & your House Insurers are aware too, as it does impact on theft cover. As to anything else i can only assume someone may have parked across a neighbours drive or maybe noise issue or something? What have the Council said about the work from home issue? What options have they given you? Clive
“Anyway, was going to suggest you rang up to find out what had gone on - i assume you have got the relevant insurance to run the business from home & your House Insurers are aware too, as it does impact on theft cover.” How would insurance be related to the issue with Council? “As to anything else i can only assume someone may have parked across a neighbours drive or maybe noise issue or something?” Normally my customers park on my driveway Even if a customer parked across a neighbours drive once or twice, would it be the reason to complain straight away? Why would they not talk to me first and ask me to make sure my customers dont do that? The problem is though, the lady from the Council highlighted that the complain was not really about parking but about running business from home. “What have the Council said about the work from home issue? What options have they given you?” They didnt say much. They said they are still in the process of investigation. They asked a lot of questions while provided minimum information. They asked about my working hours, how many customers a day I have, where do they park, how do I get products delivered and where the goods are stored. They asked twice about working hours in the evening and on the number of customers on Saturdays. I mean in theory I could have friends in my house every Saturday with 2-3 cars parked around my house couldnt I? What is also annoying is all the houses surrounding mine run businesses from home as well. The one across the road is a cleaning company who every day has at least 3 vans parked which restrict the street access and make me struggle to drive in to my driveway and come out. I have never complained although it is a great inconvenience. Thanks, linastylist
“Originally Posted by CareersPartnershipUK Remind yourself also to always check why people want to see you before they turn up (eg "Do you want a cut and blow dry or just a haircut please?"). Sorry I did not get what you mean there” Was suggesting only that you asked a harmless-sounding question to find out why someone proposed to visit you. By asking your innocent question, you get them to declare themselves in advance (official visitors are normally very careful to avoid telling untruths, though they may be less than forthcoming). As you're in the customer service business, you can't afford to sound suspicious when strangers / possible customers get in touch with you. The question I suggested sounds a perfectly acceptable, normal one from a hairdresser wanting to help a new customer. Just listen out for any lack of response or odd responses that could indicate the visitor's coming for reasons you'd rather they weren't. I feel you now need to protect yourself from any action the Council may think of taking against you. Please try to arrange appointments urgently with the local Chamber of Trade, Citizens Advice Bureau, your own bank, Business Link-equivalent etc. Good luck! Linda Linda CareersPartnershipUK
Im guessing here 'coz ive never looked in to it personally but do you need permission to run that kind of business at home? Do you need planning permission to turn a residential room in to business use? Re Insurance it was just an advisory comment - again i presume you have Liability cover but your home insurers need to be aware of the fact you are running a business from home too, its disclosure of a material fact. Im no longer in the Insurance industry, but there are members on here that can advise you further. Hope you get it all sorted Clive
“Was suggesting only that you asked a harmless-sounding question to find out why someone proposed to visit you. By asking your innocent question, you get them to declare themselves in advance (official visitors are normally very careful to avoid telling untruths, though they may be less than forthcoming).” I see.. Actually the Council did not call before the visit. They just randomly turned up in the afternoon Thanks, linastylist |
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