Reported for running a business!

[Debby5]

I live in Northern Ireland and I have successfully been running Airbnb in our self contained annex for the past 2 years. I had a phone call from our planning and land department if the local government in which they stated that we were reported as running a business and would have to pay commercial rates! Has anyone come up against a similar problem?

I have decided to take a break while I find out if this is legal.

[Helen3 · Accepted solution]

Hi Debby

Renting out a separate property is running a business. Therefore business rates might be payable.

Did you not check regulations around this before you set up your listing through BNB?

http://www.housingadviceni.org/advice-landlords

Good luck

[Debby5]

Thanks Helen x

[Julia66]

@Debby5  Sorry to hear about your problem.   NI is also quite fussy about tourist accommodation certification.

Maybe you could offer self-service cold breakfast (because that's the easiest, and is very common in Airbnb) & be a B&B, as you don't pay business rates for 6 or fewer B&B guests. 

You will find answers in the following links.

https://www.nibusinessinfo.co.uk/content/business-rates-your-tourist-accomodation-premises

https://www.nibusinessinfo.co.uk/content/planning-permission-and-building-control-tourism-businesses

https://www.nibusinessinfo.co.uk/content/tourist-accommodation-categories-need-certification

Good luck!

[Sandra126]

It is a business, you pay business rates. You may also have to pay land taxes on the part of the property which is not used for your living, it all gets complicated no less so at tax time! Every area/country/zone is different but overall I say business=business rates.