Use of a residental property for clinical use

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Hi
I'm considering buying a large enough residential property to live in and set up a podiatry clinic in house also. Has anyone in the UK encountered significant problems with change of use, planning, neighbours etc? Obviously externally only a sign and maybe extra off road parking will be the only changes I plan to make and visitation will be strictly on an appointment only basis.

Any help/suggestions will be greatly appreciated.
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Philip I.Sneyd

 

Obviously "residential" NOT "resiDENTAL"!!

 

Hi Phil,

I have gone through the necessary planning permissions, change of use etc. & would be happy to discuss further but I was a little concerned that I couldn't find you on the Health Professions Council register as a podiatrist?

May I ask are you posting using a pseudonym?

Kind regards,

Mandy.

 

Hi Twirly

I believe the confusion has arisen because he is a 2nd year student (he appeared on another thread a few weeks ago and said he was). Perhaps he is gearing himself up before he qualifies.....

Cheers

 

Indeed Kaleidocope is correct. Not anticiapting there being many worthwhile NHS positions when I graduate, so i'm laying the foundations for my future now.

 

Hi, I'm too a 2nd year student and on graduating thinking of setting up my own clinic within a residential property. I would be interested in any advice anyone could give me.

 

Hi

You need to check the deeds of the property as many have a standard clause prohibiting carrying on any business activity. Though I believe this is very widely ignored.

Luke

 

Hy,
I have a clinic in the front room of my house. It was built in 1935.The older houses are more likely to not to have restrictions on them. I did not have to apply for change of use or planning consent.
It is also a very good idea to have a separate entrance into your clinic so that patients don't enter your own living area. keeps it more professional and gives your family more privacy.
jane

 

HI,

I recently had to ponder this same question, and here's just some of the things I had to consider...

Working from home has many pros, and cons! First, you'll need to ensure you meet all the necessary legal requirements relating to operating a business form home, which include OHS issues, fire controls, emergency access, and business registrations and licensing, not to mention local council or local government laws. Then you'll need to check with your insurance company to see what their views are on running a practice form home. Have you considered your neighbours? Will you be able to claim some tax detuctions for using part of your residence as a work place (check with your accountant or tax laws).

There are just a few things to cosider before you go down that track. Also, are you disciplined enough to work at home, without goofing off! Some people who work at home have trouble seperating the pleasures of home life, like watching tv, gardening, or cleaning, when they should be working in or on their business. If you have decided to operate your business form 9 to 5, then during those hours you should be working in and on yor business!

Yes, you might save some money by working form home, but what about your work-life balance? Have you clearly defined when work starts and end s each day? Some workaholics find the home office can tempt them into spending exxsive hours 'in the office' at the espense of their family, health ans social life!

Hopefully that give you some food for thought!

Best of luck!

 

Thanks all for some great nuggets of information to ponder.

All the best

Philip I.Sneyd

 

Hi
#
I think there is some misunderstanding here in the UK. A change of use requires planning permission, period.

If you have a room and use a corner of it as an office for example then that is occasional use and does not require planning permission but if you use a room or garage for example solely for business use then that is a change of use and requires planning approval.

If you set up a surgery in your home that necessarily involves only one use. You cannot use a surgery for any normal domestic activities that I can think of, let alone the contamination issues that would result. Therefore a surgery in your home must have planning approval. Of course if you don't tell them the truth then they will not ask for it.

Once you have designated part of your home for business use then that proportion of the home will be liable for business rates. It will also attract capital gains tax when the time comes to sell your home.

Of course it cost money to apply for it, money to adapt and comply with it, money to maintain it and pay the tax on it and money when you sell it. So there is a large incentive for some to avoid it.

Regards to all,
Luke

 

Hi all,

Luke is correct. My first clinc was in rented premises. Before opening that I had to apply for a change of use (it was previously a ground floor flat). However, 7 years after renting & renovating the property there was a problem with local flooding & I made the decision to move to a more suitable area. Renting another property was going to prove problematic & I did not wish to provide funds to another landlord by leasing.

I applied for a). Planning permission, to alter my garage & b). Change of use.
Lots of form filling & inspections & interviews with the authorities, permission was granted. This was after my neighbours were contacted by the council, the appropriate notices were posted locally informing anyone who wished to oppose changes etc. The Highways Agency were also interested as my property is on a junction. I also required planning permission for my clinic sign.

The drawings were completed by an architect who followed the building work & other alterations through to completion. The builder was in constant communication with the planning dept. who made site checks on building progress at each stage.

Insurance was & is a costly affair as I was committed to having specific alarms fitted & metal shutters fitted to be insured! I pay seperate business rates on the clinic & the house. I have separate waste removal as the clinic is deemed to create commercial & clinical waste.

The whole project took approx' a year from initial planning application to completion. I am delighted with the new clinic & have no regrets about my decision to change location. I no longer advertise in eg. Yellow Pages etc. as I have found the clinic self advertises & I am very happy with my ongoing & increasing client list.

Good luck in your exams.

Kind regards,

Mandy.