Who gives permission for childminding businesses to operatefrom properties where covenants prohibit this use?
A covenant is a promise made with the owner of neighbouring or nearby property. It is the current owners of that property that can enforce the covenant or sue for damages if it is breached. Often, especially in modern estates, there is a network of similar covenants between all properties, so any owner can sue any other for a breach. As well as covenants there will probably also be a restriction on any mortgage that prevents a domestic property being used as a business. It would be up to the mortgage lender to enforce this. Either way, change of use from residential to business purposes would also need planning permission. Neighbours will be informed of any proposed application and given the opportunity to object. You can contact the council to check if permission has been granted and to discuss enforcement options if not. Planning is related to the use of the building in that area and does not consider if there are private arrangements such as covenants that may affect that use in pra
