The SA Housing Trust may give approval for tenants to run a business from their home. This includes any work or activity that takes place in the home that someone in the household, earns an income from.

This policy sets out:

  • when the SA Housing Trust gives or withdraws approval
  • how it may affect a tenant’s rent
  • what may happen if a tenant is running a business from home without approval.

Applying to run a business from home

Tenants must get written approval from the SA Housing Trust before anyone in their household starts running a business from home.

The SA Housing Trust will approve the business if the tenant meets all the below conditions:

  • the business doesn’t disturb the peace, comfort or privacy of neighbours
  • they don’t advertise the business on the property
  • they don’t use any part of the property as an industrial type workshop
  • the business doesn’t breach any conditions of the lease agreement, also known as the Conditions of Tenancy
  • the business compiles with local council regulations and any other laws that apply
  • they get appropriate insurance cover.

Rent and income

The tenant must tell the SA Housing Trust about and provide proof of any income earned from running the business.

Rent is calculated in line with the Rent policy.

Running a business that hasn’t been approved or doesn’t meet the conditions

If a tenant runs a business from home without the SA Housing Trust’s approval, or the business doesn’t meet SA Housing Trust’s conditions, it’s a breach of their lease agreement.

When visiting a tenant, the SA Housing Trust checks if a business:

  • is being carried out at the property
  • meets all the conditions to run a business from home.

If the SA Housing Trust believes a business is in breach of a tenant’s lease agreement it may:

  • tell the tenant to stop the business
  • review the rent in line with the Rent policy
  • give notice to the tenant to address the breach of the lease agreement
  • apply to the South Australian Civil and Administrative Tribunal to end the tenancy if the breach isn’t addressed.

Related information

Controlling documents

This policy is based on and complies with:

Date this policy applies from

17 December 2024

Version number

5

The online version of the policy is the approved and current version. There’s no guarantee any printed copies are current.