Granny flats have increased in popularity as a renovation option in recent years; they are a great way to add more space (and value) to your home, and are flexible enough to be used for a variety of purposes. In this blog, we take you through the things that need to be considered (specifications, council regulations, and intended use) before choosing to build a Granny Flat in your backyard.
What exactly is a granny flat?
The term granny flat is used to describe a secondary dwelling on a property, of which there are three basic types: a conversion granny flat (built from unused rooms in your existing home), an extension granny flat (a new structure attached to your home), and a detached granny flat (which is a separate, self-contained dwelling on your property, and is the most common choice). Granny flats can be up to 60 square metres in size, and often are fitted with their own kitchenette and bathroom facilities. Granny flats are a great option for housing elderly parents, or teenaged and young adult children, as they provide a sense of privacy while maintaining close access. They also make good home offices, guest rooms, and chill out zones.
Council regulations to be aware of
While each council will have their own laws and regulations regarding granny flats, as a general rule, granny flats can only be built on blocks larger than 450 square metres and should not take up more than 60% of the property. Before deciding to build a granny flat, you should contact your local council to determine their specific regulations, and, if you decide to go ahead with the process, you’ll need gain council approval. Some general rules to keep in mind are:
- Granny flats must be owned by the primary dwelling owner
- There’s a limit of one granny flat per residential property
- Granny flats cannot be built on strata titles, subdivided or community title properties
- Granny flats cannot be built on unoccupied and or commercial properties
- They must have separate, unobstructed pedestrian access
Various uses/benefits of a granny flat
Granny flats can be used for a variety of purposes and are versatile enough to accommodate your changing lifestyle and needs. Granny flats are great for working couples who regularly need their parents to help with taking care of young children, and can also be used to permanently house depedants such as elderly parents or teenage children. Although Victorian laws currently prevent homeowners from renting out granny flats to anyone who isn’t a dependant of the primary owner, these laws are currently under review, making the granny flat a potential future source of rental income. Granny flats also make great hobby rooms, games rooms or chill out zones, home offices or studios, and even home theatres.
If you’ve decided a granny flat is the right renovation choice for your property, Prestige Concrete Services are here to help. Prestige Concrete Services are trusted concrete contractors in Melbourne and can provide you with quality concrete slabs as the foundations for your brand new granny flat.
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