Your side hustle could be illegal without you knowing it
11 June 2026
·
Liz Barclay
Share:
Britain’s side hustle boom has seen millions of people turn hobbies and spare-time skills into extra income, but many are unknowingly breaking the law. From home bakers and dog walkers to nail technicians, candle makers and fitness instructors, thousands of micro-businesses require licences, registrations, certificates or specialist insurance before they can legally trade. Experts warn that the biggest mistake side hustlers make is assuming they are “too small” for the rules to apply. As councils, Trading Standards and insurers increase scrutiny, failing to comply could lead to fines, claims or even being forced to shut down a business before it has the chance to grow.
Our secret illegal side-hustles
The everyday jobs that could land you in hot water
Photo by Anna Keibalo on Unsplash
From dog walkers to nail technicians, millions are working and earning without the licences they never knew they needed
The UK is in the middle of a side‑hustle explosion, and thousands of people are unknowingly breaking the law while trying to earn a bit of extra cash.
From the home bakers with Cake Sheds at the bottom of the garden, we had newspaper stories about recently, to dog walkers, lash technicians and candle makers, more and more of us are running mini‑businesses from kitchens, sheds and spare rooms. What many don’t realise there’s red tape involved.
Loads of these hustles need licences, permits, certificates or insurance and councils are cracking down. The UK’s accidentally illegal economy is booming.
Home bakers and food sellers
Whether you’re selling cupcakes, burgers or Sunday roasts from your kitchen you need:
food hygiene registration
a Level 2 safety certificate
allergen compliance
a street trading licence if you sell in person
People think it’s just a few brownies, but it’s still a food business.
Lash techs, nail techs and home salons need licences
The beauty side‑hustle boom is huge, and there are rules.
Many treatments need:
proper qualifications
treatment‑risk insurance
council registration (for microblading, microneedling, etc.)
Many people have no idea they need insurance until a client has a reaction and makes a claim.
Dog walkers and pet sitters need more than a lead and some treats
If you offer boarding for dogs overnight or running doggy day care because you love dogs you’re a great asset to many pet owners but you may need:
an animal boarding licence
public liability insurance
DBS checks
Councils do check.
Candle makers, soap makers and toy sellers need to adhere to the safety laws
Just because something is handmade doesn’t mean it isn’t regulated.
You may need:
cosmetic safety assessments
UKCA/CE marking for toys
fire‑safety compliance for candles
proper labelling
Like anything else that could cause a problem for a customer the safety rules have to be complied with.
Photographers and drone users need permits and insurance
Side‑hustle photographers often forget:
public liability insurance
drone licences
permissions for shooting in public spaces
That “quick drone shot” could cost you thousands in fines.
Cleaners and mobile services must have insurance
Even small cleaning gigs need:
public liability insurance
COSHH compliance for chemicals
Often cleaner learn the hard way after spilling bleach on a customer’s carpet.
Market stalls, pop‑ups and car‑boot sellers come under street trading rules
Selling from a stall, van or table? You may need:
a street trading licence
landowner permission
food registration (if selling food)
Councils regularly fine unlicensed traders.
Fitness, yoga and massage side hustles are not risk‑free either
Running classes from home or the park?
You may need:
insurance
first aid training
council licences for some therapies
The biggest mistake side‑hustlers make is thinking “I’m too small for the rules to apply.”
The rules do apply and councils, insurers and trading standards are watching especially as the side‑hustle economy explodes.
Side hustles are brilliant, creative, empowering and helping millions stay afloat. But if you’re selling food, caring for animals, doing beauty treatments, running classes, making products or trading in public, you might be breaking the law without even knowing it.
You’re probably thinking that the cost of complying with the rules may be too much and you’ll have to abandon your business, but ignoring the rules will come back to bite you if there’s an accident or someone has an allergic reaction. The rules are there to protect you and your customers and getting it wrong can cost a lot more than the cost of the permits and policies. Before you hustle… check the rules.
Thousands of people are running side hustles thinking they’re “just earning a bit extra” — when in reality they’re operating in areas that legally require street trading licences, food hygiene certificates, permits, insurance, or professional registration.
Here’s a clear, punchy breakdown of the most common side hustles where people don’t realise they need licences or legal compliance.
🔥 SIDE HUSTLES THAT SECRETLY NEED LICENCES, PERMITS OR CERTIFICATES
⭐ 1. Selling food from home or at markets
Most people think “I’m just baking cakes” — but legally, it’s a food business.
You may need:
Food hygiene registration with your local council
Level 2 Food Safety certificate
Street trading licence (if selling at markets, pop‑ups, roadside, car boot sales)
Allergen compliance
Proper labelling
Covers: home bakers, jam makers, meal preppers, BBQ sellers, sweet cones, grazing tables.
⭐ 2. Beauty, nails, lashes, aesthetics
Many side‑hustle beauticians don’t realise they need:
Local authority registration (for some treatments)
Insurance (public liability + treatment risk)
Qualifications for nails, lashes, brows, facials
Special licences for microneedling, microblading, injectables
Covers: nail techs, lash techs, brow artists, facialists, home salons.
⭐ 3. Dog walking, pet sitting, home boarding
People think “I’m just walking dogs” — but legally, you may need:
Animal boarding licence (if keeping dogs overnight)
Insurance (public liability + pet care cover)
DBS check (often required by clients)
Covers: dog walkers, pet sitters, home boarders, doggy day care.
⭐ 4. Selling handmade goods
Even small‑scale makers may need:
Product safety compliance (toys, candles, cosmetics)
Cosmetic Safety Assessment (for soaps, balms, skincare)
CE/UKCA marking (for toys)
Street trading licence (if selling in person)
Covers: candle makers, soap makers, toy makers, resin artists, jewellery makers.
⭐ 5. Renting out equipment
People renting:
bouncy castles
gazebos
tools
party equipment
soft play kits
…often don’t realise they need:
Public liability insurance
Safety checks
PAT testing (for electrical items)
Risk assessments
⭐ 6. Tutoring, coaching, childcare
Depending on the activity, you may need:
DBS check
Safeguarding training
Ofsted registration (if caring for children regularly)
Covers: tutors, sports coaches, babysitters, childminders.
⭐ 7. Photography & videography
Side‑hustle photographers often forget:
Public liability insurance
Drone licence (if using drones)
Permissions for shooting in public spaces
Music licensing for videos
⭐ 8. Cleaning services
Even small cleaning side hustles may need:
Insurance (public liability + accidental damage)
COSHH compliance (for chemicals)
⭐ 9. Mobile traders
Anyone selling from:
vans
pop‑ups
roadside stalls
car boot sales
…may need:
Street trading licence
Food hygiene registration (if food)
Permission from landowners
⭐ 10. Home‑based fitness or wellbeing
People running:
yoga classes
PT sessions
bootcamps
massage therapy
…often need:
Insurance
First aid training
Local authority licence (for massage/therapy in some areas)
🔥 THE BIGGEST MISTAKE SIDE‑HUSTLERS MAKE
Thinking:
“I’m too small for the rules to apply to me.”
They do apply — and councils do enforce them, especially for:
food
beauty
street trading
childcare
pet services
Share: