One question that gets asked quite a bit about dual occupancy homes in Australia is why they need land subdivision. After all, a granny flat or even a small shed usually only requires planning permissions at most and you’re free to simply build it on your property, no problem, no worries.
Land subdivision doesn’t change the material properties of your property at all and it might just sound like a lot of bureaucratic negotiating about invisible lines on a map, but it’s quite important for you as a property owner and it could save you plenty of headaches in the future.
Subdivision Legally Separates Properties
Many dual occupancy homes are not built on two adjacent plots of land, but rather they tend to be built on what was previously one large lot, usually with a large family home (and often from the Builders generation) and usually in suburban areas of Australian cities.
Subdivision creates a legal delineation between two (or more) properties created from what was previously one larger property. In effect, it legally separates the properties which entails a lot of important aspects such as:
- The plots of land can now be independently owned and sold individually;
- The sale and conveyance for one or both properties become simplified;
- Both properties can now be made compliant with council planning and zoning laws;
- Each property can have its own primary structure and (depending on planning permissions) ancillary structures as well.
Moreover, many council authorities now require land to be subdivided to develop dual occupancy homes, so it’s sometimes a necessity.
A Granny Flat Just Isn’t the Same
If you’ve considered building a secondary structure on your property like a granny flat, you may have learned about limitations from the council on what you’re allowed to build, if at all.
Frontages and minimum distances from boundaries can all hamper your desire to build a fashionable little granny flat as an additional residence, so it isn’t quite the same as doing things the “proper way” and subdividing land to build a dual occupancy home.
Practical Benefits of Dual Occupancy Homes on Subdivided Land
Even if you can obtain permission to build a habitable shed on your property, you could end up with long-term challenges like separating utility connections and metering usage for rental units. It’s a little like mixing personal credit cards with your small business credit cards: it can be convenient but can make an awful mess of taxes and accounting and usually messes up everything.
Subdivided land for dual occupancy homes lets you obtain separate utility connections for each property, and individual property tax assessments to keep the bookkeeping clean and orderly. It gives you much greater flexibility in the long term if ever you desire to sell one or both units.
How to Subdivide Land and Build Your Dual Occupancy Home
Land transfer and subdivision can be quite a complicated process and it often does feel (because it is) quite bureaucratic. Simply put, most land in Australia can be subdivided through Torrens title or strata title structures. Both have their processes and both require approval before a spade can hit the ground, so it’s an essential first step for any dual occupancy home development.
The good news is that a lot of this complicated process can be left in the capable hands of an experienced dual occupancy home developer who understands the process and the nuances involved and can help you obtain the most suitable arrangement for your dream home.
At Trevor Homes, we proudly offer expert building services across Melbourne, including builders in Albion, where quality craftsmanship meets innovation. Our team also specializes as reliable builders in Altona, delivering outstanding results tailored to your needs. For premium solutions, our trusted builders in Ascot Vale and experienced builders in Aspendale ensure every project is completed to perfection.
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