I have an existing tenant (good tenant) who is getting a new work from home job. Cigna, I'm assuming phone/computer work for insurance?

Anyway, I have a lease clause that no business is to be ran from the units.

I had one phone/computer work from home tenant a few years ago without any issue.

What should I make sure of or clarify with this tenant before giving a stamp of approval for it?

I think you need to clarify work from home not allowed would be manufacturing a product or receiving products and then re-shipping would not be allowed.

my only concern would be foot traffic from customers/clients ... and I doubt that will be an issue.

I look at work from home as the business is located somewhere else, the employee just gets to write, phone do computer work from some where in their home for a few days or all days.

Running a business means that people come and go, maybe people come to do work there, (more people traffic) and maybe UPS delivers or picks up. The person running the business at home, owns the business and probably does not have another location.

NOW those lines get blurred... what about UPS delivers. We all get deliveries from internet orders and sometimes returns of those orders are picked up. A lot of us have high speed internet and sit at a desk to do work at home, maybe in the evening. What about sewing some clothes or painting pictures or other craft that I do myself and sell on Etsy. Those who stay at home or even after work have visitors come for coffee.

My criteria is that no signs are hung out, not a lot of people coming and going all day. No inventory stored other than what is inside. Basically, if you can run your business or be employed from home and it does not disturb the neighbors, so they can't tell you are doing this. I am OK with it.

I would just say work from home online only.no customers or shipping from there

I personally don't see "work from home" and your "no business" clause is not the same thing. I have the same/similar clause.

I look at that clause as having a day care, auto business, computer repairs/software fixes, sales where the customers/clients would be coming in to the property (basically, foot traffic of any sort).

I use to work from home for a bank. The main thing that you may want to be "aware" of is that if you are paying the utilities - then those may go up (water/sewer, electric, gas, etc). Mainly because now someone will be there 24/7 (or a few extra days a week, etc). It's not going to be a lot for the most part though (in my opinion) but it's something to be aware of.

I'm impressed that your tenant advised you of it. I don't think most would since it isn't "their business" - unless of course, they are meeting clients/customers there ... then I totally see it.

On that part though (if they did see customers/clients) then most likely the place would have to be SPOTLESS or they won't have them very long. Something to think about for sure!

NE,

What does your lease actually say about no businesses?

I was a sales rep for 16 years working out of my home. Me on the phone for hours, in my PJs til noon. Kinda of an 80's and 90's virtual assistant! Shower, dress, run out and see customers.

Telecommuting and flex hours are growing every day with businesses using the internet for customers and paperwork.

Now with Amazon the UPS, FedEx, and USPS are delivering personal boxes up and down my street ever day.

Millenials and the new iGen are working this way.

BRAD