In 2009, the NSW government released the Affordable Housing State Environment Planning Policy (SEPP) which allows residential home-owners with a property larger than 450m² (which also has a minimum 12m street frontage) to build a granny flat on their property if their property is considered to be complying. A granny flat is a self-contained small house (with a maximum living space of 60m²) which is built in the backyard of an already existing house. A DA is generally no longer required for approval with the process known as Complying Development, it is also usually much easier and faster than a typical DA.
Apart from being a great investment as a rental property which more than pay for themselves in rental return versus the cost to build, there are lots of other reasons people build GFs;
1. Work from home or study space or a music/art studio
2. Extra accommodation for adult children, teenagers & visiting friends
3. Independent living for older parents or relatives with a disability
There are lots of builders that specialize in just building granny flats and can assist with the whole process of planning, approval and building. If you would like more information on the rental return for a GF please get in touch with our Property Management Team, we also have a beautiful GF currently for rent.
