Duncan Lewis Property Lawyer Advises Money Mail Reader on Neighbour's 'Cake Shed' Business (16 June 2026)

Duncan Lewis Solicitors' Property Litigation Director, Manjinder Atwal, has once again been called upon by the Money Mail column to provide expert legal guidance to homeowners facing property-related disputes.

In the latest feature, Manjinder was asked to advise a reader whose neighbour had installed a brightly coloured "cake shed" on her driveway and begun selling homemade cakes to members of the public from a quiet residential cul-de-sac.

The reader raised concerns about increased traffic, parking pressures and noise caused by customers visiting the property throughout the day, questioning whether it was lawful to operate a business from a residential driveway without consulting neighbours.

Commenting on the issue, Manjinder explained that while many home-based businesses can operate lawfully from residential properties, there are important legal and regulatory considerations.

She highlighted that individuals selling food products must register as a food business with their local authority and comply with food hygiene and allergen regulations. She also noted that planning permission may be required in some circumstances, particularly where structures become substantial or where the use of a property changes significantly from residential to commercial.

Importantly, Manjinder advised that where a home-based business results in persistent noise, parking problems or disruption to neighbours, affected residents may have grounds to raise concerns with their local authority, which can investigate whether the activity amounts to a statutory nuisance.

The issue reflects a growing trend across the UK, with increasing numbers of homeowners establishing small businesses from their properties in response to changing working patterns and rising living costs. While ventures such as cake sheds, beauty rooms and garden offices can provide valuable additional income, they can also create tensions where neighbours feel the residential character of an area is being affected.

Manjinder's comments provided practical guidance for readers seeking to understand the balance between a homeowner's right to use their property and the rights of neighbours to enjoy their homes without unreasonable interference.

About Manjinder Atwal

Manjinder Atwal is a Director in the Housing and Property Litigation department at Duncan Lewis Solicitors. She specialises in a broad range of contentious property matters, including landlord and tenant disputes, possession proceedings, nuisance claims, boundary disputes and housing litigation. Manjinder regularly provides expert legal commentary to national and regional media on developments affecting homeowners, landlords and tenants.

About Duncan Lewis Solicitors

Duncan Lewis Solicitors is a leading national law firm recognised for its expertise across housing, property litigation, public law, immigration, family and civil litigation. The firm's award-winning Housing and Property Litigation team advises and represents homeowners, landlords, tenants and businesses in complex property disputes throughout England and Wales.