Firstly, thinkbiz never said he was going to use the property as his registered business address. Use your accountants. He may charge a small fee for this.
Secondly, while what you do say may be correct for an operation with stock and customer/suppliers visiting the premises, thinkbiz is conducting everything over the internet. He should be fine.
Revenue will need to see you declare the rent if you want to get a deduction for it.
I take your points but note the following;
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Firstly, I didn't say he was going to do this - I took it that he implied he already was using it and I advised accordingly.
The use of an accountant's office as a registered business address is a new one to me as normally I see solicitor's offices being used for such purposes.
I'm not sure how this goes down with the revenue or in terms of business credibility, so I didn't suggest this. Also I didn't assume that the OP had an accountant or solicitor.
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Secondly, my understanding is that what I posted applies to every commercial use not supported by a primary place of doing business.
For example, teleworking during out of office hours or on occassional days from your home may not require a use, because there is a separate main firm that employs you with business address.
My understanding is that running a commercial enterprise - including an office or adiministrative function - that is solely based in a home requries permission for the area so used and rates are payable accordingly.
This may apply wether or not the home is the registered business address for the business per comment passed above. I know this because I run an architect's practice from my home and had to obtain a permission AND pay rates
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Running everything over the internet may alow the OP to consider where he want to take his profit worldwide, but if its here, I understand that above rules and regulations apply.
I am by no means an expert on how this may apply to other forms of business, just to my own and I am happy to be corrected or enlightened with with regard to either.
However I went through this process in 2002 and there is no correlation between the several arms of government - planners, rates office, collector general.
FWIW
ONQ.
[broken link removed]
All advice on AAM is remote from the situation and cannot be relied upon as a defence or support - in and of itself - should legal action be taken.
Competent legal and building professionals should be asked to advise in Real Life with rights to inspect and issue reports on the matters at hand.