Managing Unauthorised Company Registrations at Social Housing Properties

Unauthorised company registrations at social housing properties can have several negative impacts:

• Misuse of public resources: Social housing is intended for residential use, and any commercial activity may violate this purpose.
• Legal complications: Using a social housing address for business purposes could breach local regulations and housing agreements.
• Reputation risk: Instances of misuse can harm the reputation of social housing providers and reduce trust in the community.
• Administrative burden: Dealing with unauthorised registrations can consume valuable resources and time.

Address Alert can help social housing providers monitor properties efficiently, allowing early detection and resolution of such issues.

To prevent unauthorised company registrations, consider enhancing your tenancy agreements with the following provisions:

• Clear prohibition of using the property address for business registration without prior approval.
• Requirement for tenants to declare any intention to use the property for business purposes.
• Consequences for breaches, including potential termination of the tenancy.
• Obligation for tenants to cover costs incurred from removing unauthorised company registrations.
• Regular property checks to ensure compliance with tenancy terms.

Consult with a legal advisor when updating your agreements to ensure they are legally enforceable.

There are several methods to identify if a company has been registered at a social housing address:

• Monitor post: Be attentive to any business-related mail being delivered to the property.
• Check Companies House: Regularly review your property's address on the Companies House website to identify any unauthorised businesses.
• Utilise Address Alert: Our service provides automatic notifications for any new company registrations at your addresses, ensuring you remain informed and can act swiftly.
• Conduct regular inspections: During property checks, look for signs of business activity.
• Engage with the community: Maintain good communication with local residents who may notice and report unusual activities.

If you discover a tenant has registered a company at one of your properties without permission, it's important to address the issue promptly and tactfully:

• Start with a respectful conversation: Approach the tenant professionally to understand their actions and intentions.
• Explain the breach: Clearly state how their actions violate the tenancy agreement and the potential repercussions.
• Discuss implications: Outline the possible legal and financial consequences for both the tenant and your organisation.
• Offer solutions: Provide information on suitable alternatives, such as using a virtual office address for business registration.
• Set clear expectations: Specify the steps they need to take to rectify the situation and provide a reasonable timeframe.
• Document all interactions: Keep detailed records of communications and any actions taken regarding the issue.

If you find that a tenant has registered a company at one of your properties without authorisation, consider the following steps:

1. Gather evidence: Collect all relevant documentation and proof of the unauthorised company registration.
2. Review the tenancy agreement: Confirm that the registration constitutes a breach of the agreement.
3. Communicate with the tenant: Follow the communication guidelines outlined earlier.
4. Issue a formal notice: If the tenant is uncooperative, send a written notice of the tenancy violation.
5. Contact Companies House: Report the unauthorised use of the address to enquiries@companieshouse.gov.uk.
6. Seek legal advice: If the issue persists, consult a solicitor who specialises in housing law.
7. Consider eviction: As a last resort, you may need to initiate eviction proceedings if the tenant refuses to comply with the tenancy terms.

For further guidance on managing such situations or advice for your tenants, please refer to our comprehensive guide.