Changing the use of business premises

You cannot simply use premises for any type of business you choose. Property is categorised by your in accordance with the type of business activities you are allowed to do there. Whether you are choosing new premises or considering changing your business but staying put, check what you are permitted to do and either comply with any restrictions or apply for a change of use if needed.

What type of use is permitted

  1. 1.Can my landlord restrict what type of business I can run in my premises?
  2. 2.Can my local authority restrict what type of business I can run in my premises?
  3. 3.How can I find the use class for my premises?

Use classes of business premises

  1. 4.What is use class A1?
  2. 5.What is use class A2?
  3. 6.What is use class A3?
  4. 7.What is use class A4?
  5. 8.What is use class A5?
  6. 9.What is use class B1?
  7. 10.What is use class B2?
  8. 11.What is use class B8?
  9. 12.What is use class C1?
  10. 13.What is use class C4?
  11. 14.What is use class D1?
  12. 15.What is use class D2?
  13. 16.What is use class E?
  14. 17.What is use class F1?
  15. 18.What is use class F2?
  16. 19.What is meant by sui generis use for premises?

How to change the use

  1. 20.How can I change the use of my premises?
  2. 21.When might I need to change the use of my premises?

Landlord's permission for change of use

  1. 22.Do I need permission from my landlord to change the use of my premises?
  2. 23.What if there is a prohibition on changing the use of my premises in my tenancy agreement?
  3. 24.What if my tenancy agreement says I need my landlord's consent to a change of use?
  4. 25.Can my landlord charge a fee for providing consent to a change of use?
  5. 26.Can my landlord refuse consent to a change of use for no reason?
  6. 27.What can I do if my landlord refuses consent for a change of use?
  7. 28.What happens if I change the use of my premises without my landlord's consent?

Whether planning permission is needed to change use

  1. 29.Do I need planning permission to change the use of my premises?
  2. 30.What are permitted development rights for change of use?
  3. 31.Do I need planning permission to change the use of my premises to an alternative use within the same use class?
  4. 32.Do I need planning permission to change the use of my premises from one use class to another?
  5. 33.How can I check whether any specific planning rules apply in my local area?
  6. 34.Do I need planning permission to change the use of class E premises?
  7. 35.Can I convert an unused commercial premises into a residential home?

Planning permission applications for change of use

  1. 36.What checks should I make before applying for planning permission to change the use of my premises?
  2. 37.How do I apply for planning permission to change the use of my premises?
  3. 38.What is an ownership certificate?
  4. 39.How long it will take to get planning permission for a change of use?
  5. 40.What should I do if my change of use application is rejected or approved but with conditions?
  6. 41.Can I appeal a planning decision?
  7. 42.What happens if I change use of my business premises without getting planning permission?

Retrospective applications for planning permission to change use

  1. 43.What if I have changed the use of my business premises without getting planning permission?
  2. 44.What happens if my retrospective application for planning permission for change of use is approved?
  3. 45.What happens if my retrospective application for planning permission for change of use is refused?
  4. 46.What happens if I fail to comply with a planning enforcement notice?
  5. 47.Can I appeal a planning enforcement notice?

Temporary changes of use

  1. 48.Can I temporarily change the use of my premises without planning permission?