Thread: Is illegal to have a hobby shop at home

G'day section1!
IMO, I wouldn't have thought that there would not be a problem unless there is something hidden in the conditions of the rental/lease agreement or there is something peculiar to QLD.

I would read the lease agreement and see what is not permitted. I dont know the law on this but will watch and learn.
Regards
John

I would have thought that provided you are not damaging the property, not deriving an income and not disturbing the neighbours then you have nothing to worry about. If it were a business then I would think that this would breach the lease agreement.

section1, I wouldn't worry. It's a hobby and unless you have a sign on the front of the garage that says "Section1's Woodshop" ..there will be no problems.

You won't be alone if this was a real issue I suspect.

Unless something is in your lease agreement (a State thing), I think Council rather than State laws might be an issue if someone "objects". GCCC like all non-Bris SEQ councils think they are a law unto themselves, if an agent wanted you out and played hardball.

I've seen your workshop/garage Section1. It looked pretty tidy to me and they should be impressed rather than upset. Business-like but hardly a business.

I am currently renting while I have to live away from my own house for family reasons. I have never had a problem. When looking for a new place to rent I always get the agent to look for one with a big shed or if I find one with a big shed I let them know the reason that is important to me. Usually they are very supportive. The owner of our house was here on Friday. He was pleased to see someone making good use of his shed and all the 15 amp power points his brother-in-law put in for him.

Most rental agents are female and on the first inspection after 90 days when they call around, they leave with a small jewelry/keepsake box, nothing fancy and expensive looking, but just nice. I generally finish up as their favorite tenant.

Cheers

Doug

I also rent, its my hobby, am in NSW the landlord is fine with what I do. The neighbours as we are in a duplex are fine with it as are other neighbours they often pop over to chat see what I am up to although i have had to stop them doing it when machines are running for their and my safety.

How ever I have one of these neighbours who believes I am running a business/hobby making money and being on benefits and is constantly asking how much I am making from the items. Most are for friends family or ourselves. Yes there are odd times I make a few dollars but take into account the time effort and gear and I am in the red.

I know a bloke who hires a storage garage and does all his work there.

Renter here too.
The shed(s) were listed on the lease as 'outbuildings' and the agent has never looked in them.
They just make sure that they're still standing.

Originally Posted by Sir Stinkalot

I would have thought that provided you are not damaging the property, not deriving an income and not disturbing the neighbours then you have nothing to worry about. If it were a business then I would think that this would breach the lease agreement.

Not deriving an income? How could it be illegal to "work from home" in a rental? Its even easier to claim part of the rent as a business expense when you are renting. If you have a mortgage instead its too hard with capital gains and all that to claim it.

Without reading the rental agreement it is difficult to tell the exact situation but I have a feeling when I have previously rented it cannot be used for commercial purposes. If this clause is in the rental agreement then if an income is being drawn from the woodworking then technically it is breaching the clause and the rental agreement.

In reality however I don't think that the real estate agent is going to give two hoots. They will not be interested in doing any additional paperwork so provided the place is in good shape then I cant see them being interested in anything further.

Wow overwhelming response thank you guys you have some what put my mind at ease.

Looks are deceiving people who have never worked wood don't understand our passion and automatically would assume upon seeing all those benches, machinery and hand tools as if I'm running some kind of business. If I were I most definitely wouldn't do it from home even just to save a few bucks on rent the distraction isn't worth it.

I have gone over the rental agreement and there's nothing in it that say's I can't have a hobby. In fact after doing a bit of digging the law says the tenants have a right to utilise the property in full and that's what I'm doing, like I said before I use 99% hand tools except when I'm resawing slabs or logs on my bandsaw but I close all doors and windows and no one can hear anything.

I love working wood I can't ever imagine not doing it after working so hard in my day job and dealing with all the stresses of work it's the only place I find solice, serenity, it's a place of retreat even for a few hours it does wonders on the mind and body. I can't see myself making a living out of it I don't think I would ever want to nothing on a large scale anyway if I were to make a few bucks it would only be to buy another tool for the shop and whatever surplus I made would be donated to charity a wonderful dream that is.

One day I hope to buy my own house on acerage far from prying eyes and just work wood without looking over my shoulder.

Thanks again guys you guys are the best.

Salko

Originally Posted by section1

Looks are deceiving people who have never worked wood don't understand our passion and automatically would assume upon seeing all those benches, machinery and hand tools as if I'm running some kind of business.

This is one of the problems trying to get insurance for tools as part of the general home and contents policy. Its hard to explain that you have thousands - possibly pushing 10's of thousands, of tools just for personal enjoyment.

Originally Posted by section1

Wow overwhelming response thank you guys you have some what put my mind at ease.

Looks are deceiving people who have never worked wood don't understand our passion and automatically would assume upon seeing all those benches, machinery and hand tools as if I'm running some kind of business. If I were I most definitely wouldn't do it from home even just to save a few bucks on rent the distraction isn't worth it.

I have gone over the rental agreement and there's nothing in it that say's I can't have a hobby. In fact after doing a bit of digging the law says the tenants have a right to utilise the property in full and that's what I'm doing, like I said before I use 99% hand tools except when I'm resawing slabs or logs on my bandsaw but I close all doors and windows and no one can hear anything.

I love working wood I can't ever imagine not doing it after working so hard in my day job and dealing with all the stresses of work it's the only place I find solice, serenity, it's a place of retreat even for a few hours it does wonders on the mind and body. I can't see myself making a living out of it I don't think I would ever want to nothing on a large scale anyway if I were to make a few bucks it would only be to buy another tool for the shop and whatever surplus I made would be donated to charity a wonderful dream that is.

One day I hope to buy my own house on acerage far from prying eyes and just work wood without looking over my shoulder.

Thanks again guys you guys are the best.

Salko

I thought those clauses precluding deriving an income meant don't run a brothel.