I live in Brisbane.
Years ago when my husband and I knocked down our existing home and re-built, we noticed 'dual living' potential with the plan we picked out. We live upstairs and find someone to live downstairs, help pay mortgage...
With only a couple of additions, half of downstairs became dual living, like a Granny Flat. We simply added an internal door and a 'wet bar' (this is what it is called on the plan, but I also describe it as a kitchenette in our ads). The sales person, or whomever he was, at the building company quickly pointed out we could not have a second oven, so we didn't get a full kitchen put in downstairs. Is this to do with what then creates a second dwelling? I am having trouble trying to get me head around definition of a dwelling for BCC.
The area downstairs has a large 'master bedroom' with ensuite, living area with the 'wet bar' and linen cupboard. It also has its own separate external entry. We added a lockable internal door so the whole area down there is private and self-contained.
After reading about BCC being tipped off by seeing Gumtree ads, I want to be very careful about how I advertise it available for rent. Is it technically not a 'granny flat', as it is not a second, separate dwelling as it doesn't have an oven? Then is 'renting' it out under a general tenancy agreement still legal?
Also, at the moment, we have the internal door unlocked to allow 'tenants' access to our laundry in our garage (and therefore the rest of the house). What I was considering doing is enclosing an area on the deck outside and putting a washing machine there (we have power and water out there), so we can lock the internal door and have the area truly self-contained and no need for access to any other part of the house. Could this alter legalities again? It doesn't make for a compelling case for someone just renting and sharing our house, without exclusion areas! I am thinking it hinges on whether or not our downstairs is considered a second dwelling?
We have only one electricity meter, one water meter and one letter box - cost of utilities is a flat rate included in the weekly 'rent'.
Also, any tips on how to advertise - i.e. wording to use without saying 'granny flat' or 'self-contained' without drawing attention from BCC?
Thank you!
Years ago when my husband and I knocked down our existing home and re-built, we noticed 'dual living' potential with the plan we picked out. We live upstairs and find someone to live downstairs, help pay mortgage...
With only a couple of additions, half of downstairs became dual living, like a Granny Flat. We simply added an internal door and a 'wet bar' (this is what it is called on the plan, but I also describe it as a kitchenette in our ads). The sales person, or whomever he was, at the building company quickly pointed out we could not have a second oven, so we didn't get a full kitchen put in downstairs. Is this to do with what then creates a second dwelling? I am having trouble trying to get me head around definition of a dwelling for BCC.
The area downstairs has a large 'master bedroom' with ensuite, living area with the 'wet bar' and linen cupboard. It also has its own separate external entry. We added a lockable internal door so the whole area down there is private and self-contained.
After reading about BCC being tipped off by seeing Gumtree ads, I want to be very careful about how I advertise it available for rent. Is it technically not a 'granny flat', as it is not a second, separate dwelling as it doesn't have an oven? Then is 'renting' it out under a general tenancy agreement still legal?
Also, at the moment, we have the internal door unlocked to allow 'tenants' access to our laundry in our garage (and therefore the rest of the house). What I was considering doing is enclosing an area on the deck outside and putting a washing machine there (we have power and water out there), so we can lock the internal door and have the area truly self-contained and no need for access to any other part of the house. Could this alter legalities again? It doesn't make for a compelling case for someone just renting and sharing our house, without exclusion areas! I am thinking it hinges on whether or not our downstairs is considered a second dwelling?
We have only one electricity meter, one water meter and one letter box - cost of utilities is a flat rate included in the weekly 'rent'.
Also, any tips on how to advertise - i.e. wording to use without saying 'granny flat' or 'self-contained' without drawing attention from BCC?
Thank you!