Home business confusion prompts rethink of estate guidelines

AN ARMSTRONG Creek trader is seeking clarity on rules for displaying signage at home businesses after being forced to remove a plaque that had been in place for more than a year.

Her housing estate’s developer Villawood Properties said it would review rules around the signs for its properties in a bid to meet changing needs of its residents.

Brow Syndicate owner Sarah Ward received a notice last month that small business signs at the front of her home, where she operates a beauty salon, were not allowed in her estate’s guidelines.

Ms Ward had 40x30cm signs at the house’s letterbox and front door to identify the business for customers and to satisfy consumer law requirements.

She has since removed the letterbox sign to comply with guidelines to avoid any enforcement action.

Like many service-based businesses, Brow Syndicate suffered during COVID-19.

Ms Ward’s former Ryrie Street salon was either closed or operating under heavy restrictions for close to two years before she decided to operate from her home in December 2021.

She said she was disappointed to receive the notice last month and said strict enforcement of the rules could be a detriment for the increasing number of home businesses opening across Geelong.

“Post-COVID, it’s disheartening to see that the estate we are a part of, and pay to be a part of, is not supporting growing and thriving community businesses in the area,” she said.

“I would have liked to think they would love to see positive growth and community services and try to avoid my clients knocking on my neighbour’s houses trying to find my home salon as there would be no marker.”

Ms Ward says she fears removing the sign could mean she is in breach of Australian consumer law, which requires entities to display their business names prominently at places it is open to the public.

A spokesperson for owner’s corporation Engine Property Group said it enforced rules set by developers, and were explicitly outlined as part of sale contracts.

“[Guidelines] are there to protect the amenity and to ensure that the estate’s aesthetics aren’t unduly affected by residents installing signage, changing the colour scheme, or building structures on the front of the property.”

But those rules are set to come under scrutiny, with a Villawood Properties spokesperson indicating it would revisit its design principles after becoming aware of the case.

“Villawood is concerned that signage regulations designed to safeguard and enhance the amenity, integrity and investment value of our residents’ properties don’t allow for residents wishing to pursue certain home business operations.

“We understand these residents’ concerns and have initiated a review process with the owners corporation aimed at updating these regulations to provide better scope for our residents’ interests.”

Ms Ward agreed rules should keep pace with changing approaches from businesses.

“I understood there was a set of rules when we bought our land in this area, but the sign is so minimal compared to the sales and trade signs that are displayed – I feel as though it’s a rule that should be updated to support the small businesses in the area.”