Starting a business can be daunting and it is therefore important to get as much advice as possible.  This section contains information on where to get general business advice, information on tax, national insurance and VAT, the Lawyers for Business Scheme and the regulations that will apply if you are starting a business from home.

General Advice

The main bodies able to give business advice are  Surrey Business Enterprise, Blackwater Valley Enterprise and Business Link Surrey.   If you are under 30 the Prince's Trust is also helpful.   Together these organisations have written a Business Start-Up Guide which is available from Business Link for £5.  This covers the essential information needed to help start a business with chapters on marketing,  how to write a business plan, book keeping, financing your business and forming the business

Tax and National Insurance

For information on tax and national insurance visit the Inland Revenue site on www.inlandrevenue.gov.uk    It is also recommended that advice is sought from a professional adviser such as an accountant or bank at an early stage.

VAT

For VAT queries please telephone 0845 010 900 or visit the Customs and Excise website www.hmce.gov.uk

Lawyers for your Business

It is a good idea to see a lawyer at an early stage in your business to discuss any legal requirements for forming a company and issues relating to being an employer.  This scheme allows a free ½ hour initial diagnostic consultation.  Lawyers known to operate this scheme in this area are RHW Solicitors and Barlows Solicitors.   Alternatively contact the Law Society on 0870 606 6575 who can provide you with a full list of Solicitors in this area.

Starting a Business From Home

More and more people are starting a business from home and Guildford Borough Council often receives enquiries about the regulations that may apply - below is a list of frequently asked questions and their answers.    Will I need to apply for planning permission to run my  business from home?   Planning permission will usually be needed if your business ‘takes over’ and alters the  character of your home and the surrounding residential environment.   In most cases planning permission will be needed if one or more of the following apply:   Your home is no longer used substantially as a private residence Your business results in a notable rise in vehicles or people calling Your business involves any activities unusual in a residential area Your business disturbs your neighbours at unreasonable hours or it is particularly noisy or smelly. You employ workers at home who are not normally resident there.  If the answer if ‘yes’ to any of the above, or you would like to discuss your proposal with a Planning Officer, please call 01483 444501.   Will I need to comply with Building Control to run my business from home?   You will only need to comply with Building Regulations if you are planning to undertake additional building work to accommodate your business.   The following building works are exempt from Building Regulation Control:   A detached single storey building with: i) A floor area of no more that 30 square metres; ii) Containing no sleeping accommodation; and iii) Situated at least one metre from the boundary of the property A detached building with: i) A floor area of not more that 15 square metres; and ii) Containing no sleeping accommodation.  All extensions to existing buildings will need to comply with Building Regulations.   Please call 01483 444501 if you wish to discuss your proposal with a Building Control Officer.    Will Environmental Health Regulations apply to my business?   Environmental Health Regulations apply to a range of businesses run from home.  The following list includes examples of businesses operated from home where regulations generally apply:   Home Catering Food Safety Act 1990 Food Safety (General Hygiene) Regulations 1995 Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 Registration as a food business   Child Minding Food Safety Act 1990 Food Safety (General Hygiene) Regulations 1995 Health & Safety at Work Act 1974 Registration as a food business Registration with Surrey County Council’s registration unit as a childminder.  Office Based Activities Health & Safety Act 1974 If you have employees you will need to register with Guildford Borough Council. Animal Boarding / Dog Breeding / Selling Pet Animals / Running a Riding Establishment Need to be licensed by Guildford Borough Council Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 Beauty Treatments / Ear Piercing / Tattooing Registration of premises and personnel Health and Safety at Work Act Will I need to pay Business Rates?   Regulations state that all non-domestic uses are rateable.  However, if your business shares the use of a family room in your home, the main use will normally be considered domestic and the room will not be rateable.  An example of this is a guest room containing a desk and a computer together with a bed, wardrobe etc.    If a room in your home is dedicated exclusively to your business, the use of your business will be considered non-domestic and the room will be rateable.   Each case will be considered individually and you should contact the Business Rates Section on 01483 444867 to discuss your proposal in more detail.