Finding a new home for your home-based business

Running your small business out of your home can be convenient and cost-effective options for many. If you’re moving and planning to operate your business out of your home, it’s important to consider the following:

Practical set up:

• Do you need a designated workspace that is separate from your home? Is it far enough removed to be quiet, uninterrupted by your family? If clients or suppliers come, will they have to walk through the rest of the home to get to the work space?

• Are the entrance, steps and driveway safe for the clients coming to your home? Particularly in the winter months. Is there space for parking, either on the property on the street nearby?

• If you live in a rural area, are you able to have an internet connection that is suited to running your business?

• If you have a product based business, is there enough storage space to accommodate your business’ needs?

• If you must renovate to accommodate your home-based business, how will that affect the future value of your home?

 Zoning and By-laws

• You should enquire about the zoning for your home. Many homes are not zoned properly for running a business.

• Check on rules related to signage if you plan to put up a sign for your home business.

• You can find information on by-laws and zoning in HRM at ttp://www.region.halifax.ns.ca/giss/Disclaimer.php

• You can find additional information about the by-laws at: http://halifax.ca/legislation/bylaw/hrm/

Permits and Licenses:

• Depending on the nature of your business you may need to apply for permits or licenses. There may be requirements for your location that you will need to meet in order to operate your business legally, particularly with food based businesses. You can find information about permits for businesses here:https://novascotia.ca/sns/access/business/what-licences-and-permits-will-i-need.asp .

Insurance:  Be sure you understand whether you may have to change your current home insurance policy, or obtain a new policy to cover liabilities associated with your business.

Tax Benefits:  It is a good idea to get in contact with an accountant. They can help you take advantage of deductions available to small home-based businesses, and ensure you are collecting and remitting HST/GST properly. 

In addition to all of the considerations mentioned above, it is a good idea to speak with a lawyer to ensure that you are complying with by-laws, zoning, and labour laws. 

Do you have questions?

If you have any questions about your home-based business you can call us at (902) 826-3070 or email us at info@highlanderlaw.ca to set up a meeting with one of our lawyers at our Tantallon law firm. You can also schedule a no commitment Issue Review Consult for $250+HST where you have the opportunity to explain your situation to a lawyer and get basic advice before deciding whether or not you'd like to retain us.  

By: Dianna M. Rievaj, MBA, LLB - Founding Lawyer

The information and materials on this blog are provided for general informational purposes only and are not intended to be legal advice. Nothing contained on this blog is legal advice or constitutes a legal opinion. While it is our goal to provide information which is current, legislative changes and court decisions, among other matters, may result in some information no longer being current or accurate. You should consult a lawyer before relying on any information. The views expressed herein by individual contributing lawyers posting entries to the blog are solely those of the authors and should not necessarily be attributed to or considered representative of the firm of Highlander Law Group Lawyers