Tenancy Management Policy May 2024

Tenants must not run a business from their properties without obtaining prior written permission from the Council. Permission is discretionary and may be conditional. Permission can be revoked at any time and for any reason, but reasons for refusing permission or revoking permission can include:

• The business not being suitable for a residential area
• The business activity is likely to amount to or lead to a breach of other terms of the tenancy
• The business causes or is likely to cause a nuisance or annoyance to anyone living, working or visiting the neighbourhood of the property
• The business causes or is likely to cause excess wear and tear or damage to the property or its fixtures and fittings
• Issues with tenancy conduct.

If permission is granted, the tenant will still need to check with the Council's planning department to see if any additional consents are needed, and permission by the Council as landlord does not amount to permission on behalf of any other department of the Council nor imply that such permission will be forthcoming.

The Council will not give permission for the property to be used as a B&B, Airbnb or holiday let. Such instances will be treated as tenancy fraud. Where a business is run from a property without consent, the Council may take steps to stop such activity, for example seeking an order from the court to prevent the business activities or taking steps to end the tenancy.