Can I childmind if I live in a rented house in the UK?

Question

I am considering becoming a childminder, but when I mentioned it to my landlady she flipped and said she would put my rent up by £125 per month.

I have phoned loads of lettings agents and all but one of them has said absolutely major problem having a childminder in the property, but none of them are entirely clear why...

When pressed they say it is to do with insurances, but as a childminder I have liability insurance up to £5m and the standard buildings and contents, so I don't see what the problem is.

Please help!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I would love advice!!!!!!!!!!!

Answer 1

First of all you need to be a registered child minder, then if you run this venture from home you will need planning permission (change of use on the property) from the local council, and you will need permission from your landlady! ps she can refuse your application, and she is right to put your rent up, i know as i am a landlord

Answer 2

As a Landlord of longstanding, I really do not see a problem with this!  And I honestly do not know where they (and mauriceb) are comming from. What possible adverse affect can it have on the Landlady or the property? A normal tenancy agreement wouldnt allow for a £125 pm increase in rent, so thats tripe - ask her where in the agreement it says she can do that! Insurance? You have your own insurance, nothing to do with the Landlady so thats tripe!  The Landlady will only have buildings insurance anyway so thats tripe! (ps if you have this you dont need it, thats down to the Landlord so save yourself a few bob a month).  Liability - there is no liability on the part of the Landlady at all. Probabally thinking of kids in the house - damage to the property/ carpets etc., but thats covered by your bond, so thats tripe!

There must be thousands of childminders working from home, no one can tell me they are all owner occupiers.

I suggest you ask her what her specific objections are and takle them head on.  Or just do it and dont tell her.

Good luck.

Answer 3

In most areas of the UK it is actually against local bye-laws to run a business from a domestic property

VERY few private Landlords would let you run a childminding business - and that is what it is - from their property. Apart from anything else, there could be minor dangers associated with the property that could be deemed a H&S risk for children.  Most Landlords would prefer NO children full stop.

Answer 4

You would need to get permission from your landlady. Most private rental contracts have clauses about running businesses from the property. Suggest you re-read your contract

Answer 5

Very few landlords will allow their property to be used as a childminders - which is ridiculous!  There are stringent checks on the safety and standard of decoration/cleanliness of the property and the tennant has to pay for many safety features.  Most landlords would find that their property was kept up to a very high standard by those who are childminders.

It might be worth getting some bumpf about property standards and upkeep and show this to your landlord, showing how this could actually improve his property!  I would also talk to the local council and see if there was any reason why he could say no or whether this is interference in your right to 'enjoy the property' - after all, you are not damaging it or doing anything anti-social (well, not in the eyes of the law, anyway!)

By the way, you do not need council planning permission to be a childminder and it is a protected profession so much of your earnings are not taken into account when deciding benefit payments like housing benefit. It is a great way of earnng extra money and learning how to run your own business - and making great friends as well.  I hope it works out for you.

Edit:  Putting your rent up by £125 a week - that is illegal and she will not be able to do it.  In fact, the more I think about it, your landlord does not have the legal right to say you can't childmind from the property you rent as it is not an illegal activity and having kids visiting is not banned either!  Get council advice tomorrow to put your mind at rest.