Fixing cars in his garage

[saanen]

Is it legal for someone to start up an amateur car repair business in his garage? I live in a cul de sac of detached houses and the man at the top of the cul de sac (who works fulltime) has started buying, selling and repairing cars in his garage in his spare time. He test drives them up and down the cul de sac, and revs up engines late at night. His family also park their own (4) cars in the little turning area at the top of the cul de sac, to leave room in their driveway for the heaps of scrap that he fixes. This means that visitors to the cul de sac who want to turn their cars at the top don't have room to do so.
Does anyone know if there are any regulations about all this, and do we have to put up with it?
Any advice would be much appreciated

[tictactoe]

Hi saanen,

You will find that in a lot of conveyancing, clauses are set out regarding this issue. Quite often in freehold and leasehold property it will state that working from home is forbidden, and that the dwelling is for residential purposes only. Some clauses become almost 'obsolete' because it has been set out by the developer that say "no commercial vehicle is allowed in view of the estate", merely to stop any vehicles other than cars to line the street or driveways, because it might deter would-be purchasers from buying when the property is new.

Having said that, councils usually take a dim view on someone using their residential property for business practices (even legit ones lol), so a phone call to them would be advisable. The noise and safety factor would come into it also. You certainly have a valid case for complaining, either in the former para or the later.

Good luck !

n00dles xxx

[TheGopher]

This link may help you

http://www.businesslink.gov.uk/bdotg/action/de tail?r.l3=1073960216&r.l2=1073877897&r.t=RESOU RCES&r.i=1073791626&r.l1=1073858799&r.s=sc&typ e=RESOURCES&itemId=1073791627

(You will have to copy and paste the link into your address bar)

It would seem doubtful that he has got the relevant permission to do this, and you should contact your local council.

Best of luck!

[TheGopher]

Noodle's answer was not there when I started my answer, but it appears we have given similar advice!

[saanen]

Thanks for these answers - several of us neighbours are going to go to the Council, as this morning he had cars parked two deep (including a jeep) in the turning area.
Anti-social, or what!!

[jno]

councils usually have their own town plans dealing with what you can do with your properties. The noise may be a separate issue - a 'nuisance' - but can also be dealt with via the council:

http://www.together.gov.uk/category.asp?c=172

[Pippa68]

Some good advice given here!

With regards to him parking regularly in the turning area of a cul de sac is not only anti social, it's dangerous & a hindrance to all other residents.

I am sure the council will have something to say about this. I had to suffer this kind of thing when I lived in a house with shared driveway ~ a guy was running a taxi business from there & frequently used the turning area as a car park. After keeping a log for several months & visits from the council, the guy had to move his business elsewhere.

[alvin100]

It would probably be a good idea to take some digital pictures of his cars blocking the road as proof to show to the council.