Now let us see the difference between a lifestyle and a rural property?  

If you can mow the lawns of your place with a hand lawnmower, you have got residential property. On the other hand, if you need a ride on, it means it is lifestyle acreage.  

Rural acreage may even require a tractor. It may seem that I am being flippant but there are no official parameters on when residential can be turned into lifestyle and then into rural.    

Lifestyle acreage can range from sizable runs which are covered in trees and gullies to little hobby blocks for retired farmers but the average area is almost just under four hectares i.e., 10 acres.   

The delights of grassroots Australia are often only 30 minutes' drive from the city centers. Just venture outside of the suburbs and you will come across delightful locations on the outskirts of the town, which achieve the balance of town convenience and also the feel of a rural environment. 

For many, a lifestyle acreage or a block may entail the prospect of a better life for families, a lot of fresh air, open spaces, and large gardens with plenty of land left over for a free-range of horses, chickens and a small flock of sheep.  In the present real estate market, they are continuing to grow in appeal, with rural acreage/ land around the outskirts of town centers a popular choice for this purpose. Across the country, the sub-division of the land is a big business and it will continue to grow with the increase in population. In fact, more people appreciate the benefits of even a small piece of land and the space for family to grow together. 

Land Covenants: A Solution for When You Sub-Divide Land and Want to Have a Say in The Future Around You 

When looking forward to sub-divide, the first thing you need to find out is if you can split land off your block or not. Also know if it will cost you anything or not.  

There are different parties you can speak to or you can even contact the real estate agents who specialize in land and acreage. For licensed real estate agents, contact Raine and Horne. Our team of agents are not just experienced but also have a good knowledge of the process, and areas and will make the entire process of selling or buying an acreage an easy one.  

However, once you decide to move ahead, make sure you carefully consider how to protect and place certain restrictions on the use of land for the purpose of selling.  

Arranging for the land covenants to be registered against the titles of farm and lifestyle blocks is a simple, straightforward and legal way to place a “covenant”.  

Who Are Land Covenants? 

Land covenants are the professionals who outline what can and can’t be done on the land. For instance, the covenants can state that the owners of the sub-divided lifestyle blocks cannot object to farming activities, or cannot erect a dwelling on certain ridgelines. 

As a vendor, you can either register the land covenants against all the titles before putting the land and acreage for sale in Victoria, or arrange to register them at the time the lifestyle blocks are transferred to the buyers. If the land covenants are registered at the time of transfer, you will have to include the details in the sale and purchase agreement. 

Anyone who becomes the owner of a lifestyle block/piece of land, will be bound by the land covenants. If they do not comply, the owner of the neighboring land can take legal action to enforce the rules.  

In fact, the land covenants can also state what can potentially happen if the land covenants are not complied with. For instance, if the land covenant states any house to be built on the lifestyle block, it has to be a particular size and should be made of certain materials. The owner can even be compelled to remove a house that does not actually comply. The owner can also be liable to pay a certain amount.  

In case the original owner sells the land, the land covenants are transferable. The new owner of the farm land can enforce them. 

However, it is recommended that you must get expert advice from parties with experience in a subdivision in the early stages of the investigations. An expert will be able to tell you and educate you with information which otherwise may not be available to you. For any help or information related to land/ acreage in Victoria, contact the team of Raine and Horne professionals.