What You Need To Know About Building A Granny Flat In South Australia

Granny flats – the newest phenomenon for home additions and renovations in South Australia. These handy home additions can offer homeowners a valuable subsidy to mortgages, improve the resale value of their homes or even provide them with an affordable solution to stay close to dependent family members.

UPDATE: Please also read this media release on Granny Flat reforms in South Australia:

https://www.premier.sa.gov.au/media-releases/news-items/media-release167

Benefits Of Building A Granny Flat

But, the benefits of granny flats don’t just stop there. An additional space
can offer homeowners:

• A home office just metres away from their usual living space;
• A spare guest room for friends and visitors;
• An art/yoga studio;
• A home gymnasium;
• A dance studio;

The demand for granny flats has grown notably in recent years, as house prices reach record heights and younger generations are increasingly being pushed out of the housing market. They provide the perfect stepping stone for young adults who don’t yet have enough funds to buy or rent a place of their own but are at an age where they’re ready to become independent. Also see our article on the costs of building a granny flat.

Also see our article on current granny flat trends in Adelaide.

Australia is a big country, so it comes as no surprise that each state has its own set of laws when it comes to building granny flats on residential land. But, if you’re a South Australian homeowner and have thought about building a granny flat to provide you with a secondary income, we advise that you do some research.

Image source: https://www.lifestylegrannyflats.com.au

Consideration When Designing & Building

We’ve provided you with a list below of all that you need to know when considering building a granny flat in your South Australian home.

1) It’s illegal in South Australia to build a granny flat for anyone but a “dependant”. Before we go any further, it’s worth noting that it’s illegal to rent out; residential granny flats to anyone besides a “dependant” or family member in South Australia.

South Australian councils only allow homeowners to build granny flats on their land, providing its use is solely to house immediate family members; be it, elderly parents/relatives or teenage children – strictly not as an investment property. In some very rare cases, there are ways to circumvent these laws, where the primary house on the block of land isn’t actually registered as your principal place of residence. Still, we strongly suggest speaking with a reputable legal team that deals specifically in this area before you take the risk.

2) Land restrictions play a big part in your eligibility To put it plainly, there are a specific set of rules and regulations you must meet to gain initial approval for your new granny flat construction.

Some land rules are as follows:

• You must have at least 600m squared of adequate size and configuration in the area on which you wish to build on.
• Your plans cannot exceed 60m squared or 70 metres above floor area of the main home (whichever has less surface area).
• You need a minimum of 100m squared of outdoor space shared between all inhabitants of both the primary and secondary
  dwelling.
• You’re able to provide enough on-site parking space for all residents, including one parking space allocated exclusively for occupants that inhabit the secondary dwelling.
• You must ensure the design, exterior building materials and colours match and/or complement the primary dwelling.
• Your granny flat cannot be standalone and must be attached to the primary dwelling.

In some cases, your plans may meet the above land regulations; however, they may be knocked back due to zoning requirements in your local district.

3) Every local council charge different yearly rates Another vital thing to identify before even getting some drafts designed is that some councils charge annual rates for granny flats while others don’t. Do your homework and make sure that whatever rate your local council charges, you’ll be able to afford them in the long run! Understand where your council sits, before taking the leap in planning and building a granny flat on your land.

4) Put an application forward to your local council. So, you’re a homeowner who wants to build a granny flat in South
Australia and you’ve ticked “yes” to the above boxes. Congratulations! You can move on to the next step.

Use A Certified Builder

Granny flats are considered “Home Developments” in South Australia and each local council requires you to submit your plans to a private certifier like Mayfair Building Group, to ensure your plans meet all the above “Development Plan” rules and restrictions.

In recent years, where house prices have soared, and the phenomenon of secondary housing has increased, Mayfair Building Group has become leading suppliers of granny flat construction in South Australia.

Whether you’re thinking ahead as your children reach an age of approaching independence or you want to provide your ageing relatives with a more enticing alternative to dependant living, we have the answers. To find out how we can get your granny flat construction certified and built 100 per cent hassle-free, contact our head office today.

You also be interested in our bathroom renovation services and kitchen renovation services.