Thought of the Day - January 29 - Office Sheds

As we have talked about before, for many working from home is not a "temporary" measure. Pandemic restrictions will continue for at least another six months, and in the meantime with each passing month employers and employees are finding they can cope without the need for a daily commute ( Thought of the Day - October 8 - Is Working From Home Working for You? ).

It has come to my attention lower-mainland cities are also becoming wise to this, and while it is okay to use your shed as a "workshop" or "man-cave" there is a crack-down on people using their sheds as home offices without the proper permits. In Vancouver and Surrey, you now need a permit to build any new shed even if it is less than the previous threshold of 10 square metres (107.5 sq ft).

I was thinking a little more about the motivations for this. Could it be:

• to try to make up for the revenue lost from office space? possibly;

• due to concern for heath - I guess it is a good point most people do not spend eight hours a day five days a week in a "man-cave" (a case can be made that many working from are not spending that time either - but that is a different topic);

• or safety - could it be the definition of "office" as needing adequate lighting, fire exits, access to washroom facilities etc. Also, Worksafe BC does not get involved if you hurt yourself in your "man-cave";

• that these offices may be a source of untaxed revenue (indeed a colleague comes to mind who used to jokingly refer to himself as Maurice "2 Sheds" Tulett);

• the concern these "offices" could morph into laneway homes without proper permits.

Probably it is a little of all of these, but be warned, while it is okay to squat in a cupboard under the stairs, you cannot simply start working in your shed.

Oh, speaking of home offices, with tax time approaching it is worthwhile doing a little research. There are a number of deductions you can make for your time spent and expenses incurred in working from home. But remember, just make sure that your new tax-deductible chair goes nowhere near your shed.

Cheers

Cliff