For a Bed & Breakfast
Check with your Local Council on the policy that sets the standads for B&B establishments. Some common standards are:
- All facilities and breakfast are for the sole use of registered guests, and utilisation of gardens etc. is at the owner’s discretion.
- A minimum of 50% of lettable rooms is to be maintained for private home use.
- There should be one parking space per lettable room.
- Minium facilities for guests should be: a bedroom, access to a bathroom and toilet separate to that of the hosts, a dining room area where breakfast is served.
- There must be a fire extinguisher in the kitchen, which is regularly tested.
- Breakfast is the only meal that needs to be served to guests.
- No kitchen facilities are provided to guests in their rooms.
- The residential character of the home is to be maintained.
For a Guest House
The above would mostly apply to a guest house as well, with the exception of only serving breakfast, as a Guest House may choose to serve dinner. A Guest House may also wish to serve liquor on the premises, and therefore a liquor licence would be needed.
Ensure that you have consulted your Local authorities on the policy that governs the establishment of a B&B or Guest House in your area. You need to be sure that you are in line with all legislation in terms of licensing, signage, regional planning etc.
Application for and granting of a trade licence:
The Local Council will circulate your application to the relevant Health, Fire and Building Inspectors, to Town planning etc. who will ensure that your business plans for your business comply with their regulations.
Signage
Signage for local roads in the Local Municipality areas can be arranged through the Local Tourism Bureau in the Municipality. For signage on National Raods and secondary roads, the Regional Tourism Liaison Committee (RTLC) can be contacted for the processing and issuing of signs. Contact Ms Itumeleng Pooe, The Director: Tourism Regulation, at 021 483 8759, for contact details of the RTLC in your region.
Zoning
Find out from your Local Council if your Local planning structures allow for your chosen business activity on the site you have selected.
Making a Plan
You need a business plan in order to make your business idea a reality. How to write a business plan
How to fund your business?
You can finance your business by any or all of the following ways:
- Fund your startup yourself.
- Pitch your needs to friends and family.
- Applying for a Business loan
- Finding your business through crowdfunding
- Apply to local angel investor
Register Your Business Name
Your business name plays a role in almost every aspect of your business, so you want it to be a good one. Once you have chosen a name for your business, you need to register it. Click here for a step by step guide on how to register your business
Insuring your business
From the day an entrepreneur starts a business, he exposes himself to certain risks, find out how you can insure your business.