eBay

rose2008-2008 · ‎24-01-2014

If you want to go into an interest like making things and earning something from it, do you have to register as a business or anything?. Or can you just do it?. Can you set up some sort of website if its not a business so to speak or do you have to be registered to do this also?.

Secondly i had heard that you cannot run a business from council property?. I just wondered if anyone could advize about these things?.

caryl576 · ‎24-01-2014

If you're making stuff to sell you are legally speaking a business, so you need to comply with all the relevant legislation

the major one for online sellers to be aware of is the distance selling regulations which means buyers CAN return stuff just becasue they've changed their mind

http://www.oft.gov.uk/shared_oft/business_leaflets/general/oft913.pdf

You don't have to set up a company, but if you don't you you will be personally liable for legal challenges if you don't (eg you sell a 'faulty' candle holder and the buyers house burns down)

As to not opperating a business from council property you need to talk to your council (and check out your contract). Some things may be prohibited (eg running a scrapyard) but others may be fine (eg operating as an accountant).

guardpig · ‎25-01-2014

According to our Council - years ago - if you just do paperwork, posting, do not have customers coming to the house and do not incommode the neighbours then they really don't care. As the guy could see our neighbour's beef was unfounded - we were not storing and selling lorry tyres from our 1 bed second floor no lift flat with a new baby!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

However making items for sale is counted as a business and all profits need to be delared to the revenue. For instance making a hat, not liking it and selling on is very different to making half a dozen to sell on.