SA: Q&A Do You Need Permission to Display a For Sale Sign?
Ace Body Corporate Management SA
This question about the permission required to display a for sale sign on strata in Adelaide has been answered by Flavia Ger, Ace Body Corporate Management.
Question: Can a for sale sign can be displayed on the outside a strata townhouse in Adelaide? And if so, are there restrictions on how long can it be left up?
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Would you please advise whether a for sale sign can be displayed on the outside a strata townhouse in Adelaide? And if so, are there restrictions on how long can it be left up for? The Lot Owner is selling the property.
Answer: If no resolutions have been set, you can write to the corporation seeking permission.
Has your corporation made any resolutions on permitting sale signs?
Permission is required under the Strata Titles Act (STA) 1998 to erect or alter the external appearance of the building.
Under Schedule 3—of the STA, Article 8 of the strata corporation states-
A person bound by these articles must not, without the consent of the strata corporation, display any sign, advertisement, placard, banner or any other conspicuous material of a similar nature—
(a) on part of his or her unit so as to be visible from outside the building; or
(b) on any part of the common property.
Hence, I would advocate first to check if the corporation has made any resolution in this matter. If the for sale signs have been approved, the corporation can impose a restriction on the size of the signage, where it can be placed and the duration of how long it can be left on the common property after the unit is sold. Each corporation can make its own rules on how long sale signs can be left, most corporations impose a 48-hour limit or a reasonable time frame.
If the corporation has not made any resolutions, you can write to the corporation seeking permission to erect a temporary for sale sign/ with details highlighting size, location and duration and who will remove the sign. It is also a good idea to advise that the common property will be restored to its original condition once you remove the sign.
If permission is not sought and the sale sign is erected, the corporation may ask you to remove the sign and return the common property to its original state as per STA Division 3 – 29—Alterations and additions, it states
(1) a person must not carry out prescribed work in relation to a unit unless the person is authorised to do so— (b) in any case—by special resolution of the strata corporation.
(2) Where a person acts in contravention of this section, the strata corporation may, by notice in writing to the unit holder, require him or her to carry out, within a reasonable period fixed in the notice, specified work—
(a) to remedy any structural deficiency caused by the work;
(6) Prescribed work in relation to a unit means—
(a) the erection, alteration, demolition or removal of a building or structure;
(b) the alteration of the external appearance of a building or structure
(b) to restore the unit to its previous state.
We hope that helps you move forward with the situation and remember it is always best to engage your strata manager as they can assist you through this process.
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These articles are not intended to be personal advice and you should not rely on it as a substitute for any form of advice.
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