SETTING UP AN OFFICE AT HOME

SETTING UP AN OFFICE AT HOME

1. Advantages

·         Converting your own flat into your office can save you on rent.

·         The savings will be even higher if your current office is in an expensive commercial area.

·         One of the biggest savings is on commuting time and expenses, which could be channeled towards more productive pursuits and investments.

·         Another advantage is that you can be your own boss and develop a flexible office schedule to accommodate other tasks that need to be completed.

·         You can devote more time to the family, which is beneficial if you have young children or elderly parents who need constant care.

2. Disadvantages

·         If you are not diligent about setting deadlines in your work schedule, it could impact productivity.

·         You could also delay your office work by giving priority to your personal and familial work.

·         Working alone may also lead to a laid-back attitude and a diminished competitive spirit.

·         You could also get overworked on both the home and office front simultaneously with no break.

·         Besides, there could be the problem of fussy neighbours, if the number of visitors is large.

·         It may also lead to more parking problems in the society and greater commotion in the area.

3. Pre-requisites

·         Obtain permission from local municipal and town planning authorities, and the housing society.

·         While full-scale commercial usage of residential flats is often opposed by housing societies, a certain percentage, or in some cases, a fixed area, is legally marked for office use.

·         Also, go through the laws and by-laws of the state, local body and the housing society.

·         The usage may also be confined to professions such as those practiced by doctors, lawyers and chartered accountants, besides activities like tuitions, cookery classes, or teaching yoga, painting, music or dancing.

·         The dual usage of space for professional activities, such as teaching of certain art forms, will normally not be viewed as commercial activity, even if charges are levied.

·         Also, the use of residence as an office by chartered accountants, lawyers and doctors would not be normally considered a commercial activity, being predominantly mental or intellectual, rather than physical or manual.

·         If the person is a tenant, he will need a no-objection statement from his landlord as well.

·         The society may also levy higher building maintenance and parking charges on such flat owners.

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