Hi all,
I have an offer in on a house in the Canterbury Council district in Sydney. The house has a converted colorbond shed in the garden which has been converted into a studio apartment. It has no DA/planning permission and is stated as such in the contract. I think the house has great investment for the future but the lack of DA is very much putting me off.
The studio has full kitchen (gas, plumbing - both from main house), bedroom and bathroom with toilet, shower and sink. The floor space is 40sq metres. It is about 4m tall. It is set around 1 metre from both the back boundary and side boundary. There is a property on either side of the block of land. A block of land also runs horizontally across the back of the property. The studio is at the far end of the block, in one corner, a good distance from the house. The block is 780sq metres. The conversion inside, to a layman, looks very well done - almost better than the fixtures in the main house.
My questions are...
* Does it sound like I can get retrospective planning permission and change of use?
* Does it comply with the Affordable Housing Policy on granny flats?
* How can I prove it complies with the building code of australia?
* It won't be rented out - but is good for in-laws
Does this help?
* Am I opening a can of worms? If so, should I do nothing? What can happen?
* Should I use a private certifier and not go through the council?
* What else should I be asking?
The situation is slighty complicated by the fact that I want to add another room to the back of the main house and need approval for that. I'm worried about inviting the council onto the land for that approval and they get nosey about the studio.
So far the following have said...
Solicitor - It's illegal, end of. It's a liability.
Builder - He's quoted for the work on the main house but didn't look at studio. When I called him he said we'd just apply for the DA on the studio.
Council - I rang anonymously and they said I could apply and poss get. But under the Affordable Housing Policy the structure would need to be 3 metres from back of boundary, 1 metre from side boundary.
Vendor's Agent - It should just be viewed as a 'bonus' and not adding worth.
Overall, I want it to be legal so I can insure it and it becomes an asset not a liability, and adds some value to the house.
Sorry for the long e-mail. But all and any advice will be gratefully received.
Cheers
JD
I have an offer in on a house in the Canterbury Council district in Sydney. The house has a converted colorbond shed in the garden which has been converted into a studio apartment. It has no DA/planning permission and is stated as such in the contract. I think the house has great investment for the future but the lack of DA is very much putting me off.
The studio has full kitchen (gas, plumbing - both from main house), bedroom and bathroom with toilet, shower and sink. The floor space is 40sq metres. It is about 4m tall. It is set around 1 metre from both the back boundary and side boundary. There is a property on either side of the block of land. A block of land also runs horizontally across the back of the property. The studio is at the far end of the block, in one corner, a good distance from the house. The block is 780sq metres. The conversion inside, to a layman, looks very well done - almost better than the fixtures in the main house.
My questions are...
* Does it sound like I can get retrospective planning permission and change of use?
* Does it comply with the Affordable Housing Policy on granny flats?
* How can I prove it complies with the building code of australia?
* It won't be rented out - but is good for in-laws
Does this help?* Am I opening a can of worms? If so, should I do nothing? What can happen?
* Should I use a private certifier and not go through the council?
* What else should I be asking?
The situation is slighty complicated by the fact that I want to add another room to the back of the main house and need approval for that. I'm worried about inviting the council onto the land for that approval and they get nosey about the studio.
So far the following have said...
Solicitor - It's illegal, end of. It's a liability.
Builder - He's quoted for the work on the main house but didn't look at studio. When I called him he said we'd just apply for the DA on the studio.
Council - I rang anonymously and they said I could apply and poss get. But under the Affordable Housing Policy the structure would need to be 3 metres from back of boundary, 1 metre from side boundary.
Vendor's Agent - It should just be viewed as a 'bonus' and not adding worth.
Overall, I want it to be legal so I can insure it and it becomes an asset not a liability, and adds some value to the house.
Sorry for the long e-mail. But all and any advice will be gratefully received.
Cheers
JD
