Short answer：“SOHO” or “studio” marketing does not establish lawful habitation or unrestricted business use. Check lease, planning, building and fire requirements for the actual activity.
Define the actual activity
Identify habitation, public access, teaching, production, storage or office use for professional assessment. Neighbouring activities do not establish the permissions needed for this unit.
Model income after compliance
Fire provisions, ventilation, sanitation, power and access may affect costs and operation. Obtain use and works advice before forecasting rent. Income from an unlawful use is not a sound stable-return assumption.
Before deciding
- Check permitted use in the tenancy
- Recognise that a lease waiver is not complete approval
- Assess enforcement and reinstatement risks
Sources and method
Sources support the specific rules described. Checklists and hypothetical calculations are editorial explanations, not measured market results or individual approvals.
Revision：Removed unsupported experience, case outcomes and statistics; corrected the topic-specific rules and limitations described above.
Scope：General information only, not personalised legal, tax, immigration, admissions or investment advice.