Dual occupancy homes can be an excellent investment for many, yielding a potential stream of rental income whilst living in one unit, renting out both, or living nearby a family member, but are they sustainable?
Few words have become as controversial today as “sustainability,” with many modern global corporations having essentially abused the meaning to the point that greenwashing has become commonplace. You know, the whole marketing campaign that shows the CEO planting a tree and smiling for the cameras all whilst devastating a natural habitat someplace far away. Dual occupancy homes can be genuinely sustainable, however, and here are a few key reasons why:
They Make Efficient Use of Land
In dense metropolitan areas like Brisbane, Sydney, and Melbourne, where space is increasingly coming at a premium due to a skyrocketing rate of demand, dual occupancy homes provide an excellent solution. Instead of spreading homes across two separate plots of land, dual occupancy homes create two housing units on the same plot of land which is then subdivided. This adds housing density and adds to supply, even if just by a little, without overdoing things and potentially detracting from natural space as in the case with tenement blocks and high-rise buildings.
Marginally Lower Environmental Impact
At first glance, it might seem like there’s no difference in terms of environmental impact by building two separate housing units on separate plots of land versus building dual occupancy homes. Two homes is two homes.
Consider that quite often, dual occupancy homes are developed simultaneously by a developer, often using the same or at least a similar design theme, as well as often being marginally smaller individually than two separate homes on separate properties. This makes the entire construction process more streamlined and efficient in terms of labour and materials, thereby reducing the environmental impact.
Moreover, many modern dual occupancy homes tend to be built with energy-efficient design principles in mind, and many homeowners are now installing solar panels and superior insulation to homes built even a few short decades ago.
More Affordable & Lower Expenses
Affordability is a critical consideration for prospective tenants and in 2023, many urban centres in Australia are becoming unaffordable for many. Dual occupancy homes can provide tenants with a reasonably affordable place to live, but of course location and many other factors must be considered.
This can be achieved more easily in dual occupancy homes than freestanding detached dwellings, generally and all other things being held constant, since the costs of acquiring land and developing the buildings tend to be significantly lower with a dual occupancy arrangement.
Potential for Fostering a Sense of Community
In an age where many are seemingly living atomised lives, perhaps never having once met their next door neighbour or attending a neighbourhood community gathering, any attempt to foster a sense of community can surely be welcomed.
Dual occupancy homes place neighbours in quite close proximity, which can be conducive to more interaction and a sense of cohesion within the community. A shared yard or garden might also be appealing as a place to hold barbecues or other neighbourhood events, for example.
Highly Versatile and Adaptable Designs
The very nature of dual occupancy homes makes them extremely safe for future use, since they can be quickly adapted for housing extended family members, elderly grandparents (essentially acting as a granny flat), or to rent one or both units to tenants. To optimise the design for your preferred needs, the best thing to do is consult with a dual occupancy home developer such as Trevor Homes.
Choose Trevor Homes for innovative and reliable building services in Melbourne. Our expert builders in Keysborough deliver outstanding results, while our experienced builders in Kings Park ensure your vision becomes a reality. Additionally, our skilled builders in Kingsville bring unmatched expertise to every project.
Trevor Homes
Choose Trevor Homes for sustainable living solutions and dual occupancy homes built to last.
