I'm interested in being a "part time" trader to have a little extra money alongside my job. I don't want to be one of the dodgy traders that say they're private sellers, so I'd create a company to do this properly if I do it. I have looked into the rent on industrial units and they are quite expensive. I'd like to trade from my driveway but just wondering if anyone has any relevant experience and advice, or if there are any pitfalls? The cars I'm looking at trading would be small hatchbacks, around 3-6 years old and around 1-2 cars at a time.
Trading from home
- Thread starter mccarf
- Start date
I know of someone who started out by doing this and now runs a very successful business with two sites, one specialising in 4x4’s and the other high end exec stuff, took him about 10 years, I know he started initially from his house but soon started renting a bit of space from a friends pre existing business as it was cheaper than his own place, he got an arrangement with another mate who ran a garage to do any repairs required.
Insurance is essential - and ask your landlord / check your deeds about trading from home as I know my mate got in a bit of hot water when he first started out by not checking this first!
Good luck!
Insurance is essential - and ask your landlord / check your deeds about trading from home as I know my mate got in a bit of hot water when he first started out by not checking this first!
Good luck!
Thanks. Nice to hear others have been successful going down the same road.
I have actually just looked over my tenancy agreement and it does say "To use the premises only as a single private residence for the occupation of the tenant and not to carry on any formal or registered trade, business or profession there." That does seem quite clear cut, however on this website it says a landlord cannot reasonably refuse:
https://www.simplybusiness.co.uk/kn...tenant-run-a-business-from-a-rental-property/
The only thing I can see being a possibility is if his/her mortgage stipulates no business allowed. Would this otherwise trump the tenancy agreement seeing as this is law?
It seems clear cut to me but, judging otherwise is way beyond my pay grade!
One thing I do remember my mate saying - which is probably true of many businesses - he found with his car sales business it wasn’t what he knew (little, he was a plasterer prior to setting up) it’s who you know i.e. he had a mate who had land he could use as a pitch, another who ran a good mechanical repair business and so on...
Yeah I think I'm fairly sorted with regards to car contacts which does make me feel easy about any mechanical problems and the valeting/prep too. Don't really know anybody with land but I suppose at first that wouldn't be an issue if it was from my driveway.
Associate
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- 22 May 2004
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Landlord could try to refuse on the mortgage basis or noise and nuisance. Depends on what they think of it being used like this. Landlord could say yes but increase your rent as your earning more 
This is only my opinion so is worth slightly less than naff all but if I was to entertain the idea of buying a car from a driveway trader (registered as such or otherwise) I'd expect to pay no more than a private sale as I'd expect the same level of come back and service i.e. none. Unless you can get dealer prices I doubt your going to be making a killing on the difference between trade and private.
winds me up!There is no way I would allow this and plenty of ways to reasonably refuse - the primary one being that there is a covenant in my house title which restricts it.
Soldato
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From a past century no doubt
