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Granny flat deep dive: Everything you need to know

March 11, 2019 Leave a Comment

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From planning requirements to the average cost, unique usage ideas and savvy ways to make money out of them, there’s much to know about the world of the contemporary granny flat. We caught up with Link Teale, the design manager at the Sydney-based Flat Grannys who gave us the in-depth lowdown.

Granny flat design
A Flat Grannys design

Planning requirements
“There are planning permissions which are necessary to build a granny flat on your property behind the principal dwelling. Provided your granny flat meets the minimum requirements, it should only take a short amount of time for your build to be approved,” says Link who warns that requirements are different in every Australian state.

“All state requirements vary, although in NSW, for example, the site area must be a minimum of 450 square metres and the maximum floor area of the granny flat must be 60 square metres. You should always make sure you read through your state guidelines carefully in order that there are no delays in the timeline of your construction,” says Link.

Granny flat
Another Flat Grannys design, this is one stylish looking granny flat!

Average cost
“The cost of a granny flat will vary depending on your specific requirements, but a budget of approximately $160,000 is generally an excellent figure to aim for. Of course, the number may be less or even more depending on how elaborate or straightforward your granny flat design plan is,” says Link.

“Speak to the bank and understand your budget before you begin to plan. That will help you realise how much you have for the build of the exterior, the design of the interior and the landscaping of the outdoor space,” says Link.

Flexible usage
There’s no denying the appeal of having an extra, flexible space at home and the fabulous thing about granny flats is that they can be used in so many different ways. “Homeowners are using them to house their ageing parents or adult children or just keeping the space available for guests during the holiday season. But granny flats can also reduce the work commute by providing a secondary or even full-time office space,” says Link who explains that, state depending, they can also be rented out to provide a second income.

Granny flat
Another Flat Grannys design

Rental income
“Granny flats can provide a rental income in New South Wales, Western Australia, Northern Territory, Tasmania and the Australian Capital Territory. South Australia, Queensland and Victoria are yet to allow the renting out of granny flats to generate an income although this may change in the future. If you plan to build and use your property to earn income, check your state rules to ensure full compliance,” says Link.

“But on the plus side, even if you are unable to rent out your granny flat, considerable savings can be made if you choose to house your family members or even use it as a home office,” says Link.

Flat Granny's kitchen
A Flat Grannys kitchen design

Design trends
The days where a granny flat was a purely utilitarian add-on are long gone with contemporary designs looking more and more sophisticated and really like an extension of the main home. “As a company that specialises in beautiful and functional home designs, we are inspired by the uniqueness of contemporary granny flats, and we hope this continues. A granny flat need not be a one-design-fits-all, and you can really create something special to reflect your lifestyle,” says Link.

And the outdoor entertaining trend has hit the granny flat space too with plenty of focus on landscaping. “More attention is being given to the outdoor area surrounding a secondary dwelling so those who reside in the flat can entertain as well. While space is more limited in a granny flat than say a full-size house, thanks to clever space-saving designs, there is no need to skimp and save on the necessities.”

While you can of course go fully custom, Flat Grannys have a number of pre-designs to choose from, including The Barbara, The Doris, The Ethel and The Pattsi.

FLAT FACTS

  • A granny flat is a self-contained living space, designed for one or two people, either detached or attached to the principal dwelling of a family home. It tends to be at the rear of the main house and may also share a backyard and outdoor facilities with the occupants of the home.
  • The name granny flat came about due to their popularity of multi-generational living and the need to house aging parents, namely granny and grandpa. The name stuck, but they’re also referred to as Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs) or a backyard cottages.
  • A granny flat usually contains one or two bedrooms, a full kitchen or kitchenette, a bathroom, a living area and a laundry area.
  • In most cases, there can only be one granny flat and one house on an individual lot. No subdivision of the lot is allowed.

For more | Melbourne’s most stylish granny flat

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Not many friends in life fall into the unofficial Not many friends in life fall into the unofficial family category and they're a special gift. So ends three weeks with @danisteve81 who left her husband and son in the UK (I'm forever grateful they lent her to me!) to come and cheer me up and help me in the most practical ways after I spent Christmas and New Year in hospital. There were tears and I miss her so much already but how amazing to have had all that time together as adults. Such a rare treat and would never have happened without having been through something so challenging. Silver linings and all that. So many other friends have also been incredibly thoughtful and kind. There aren't many times I'd say this without cringing but I am 100% blessed!

I still cannot believe we have been friends since we were 12! 12! Are you still close with your childhood besties?
The renovation of this 80s beach shack @camillo_ho The renovation of this 80s beach shack @camillo_house is a work of art and while almost every surface was updated, the decision to keep the original slate floor was genius if you ask us. 

Owner @clarehillier__ says: "With its purple, pink, red and brown tones, the slate was the starting point for our interior palette."

Come and check out the before and afters via link in bio now and read the reno story. It's a real beauty.

And you can book it for your next holiday too!

Blair Smith Architecture @kateshanasy

#slatefloor #slatefloors #80shouse #80sbeauty #camillohouse #interiorsblog #interiorsblogger #interiorsaddict #theinteriorsaddict #jenbishop #realreno #holidayhousesofinstagram #morningtonpeninsulahomes #morningtonpeninsula #morningtonpeninsulasmallbusiness #blairgowrie #blairgowriebeach #airbnbstyle
Me and my boys 💗 Me and my boys 💗
Just a couple of dorks who've been friends for thr Just a couple of dorks who've been friends for three decades going out for a child-free dinner 💓😁
Excuse me while I die of a cute attack 🥰 @damia Excuse me while I die of a cute attack 🥰 @damianfrancis 

This doesn't happen often these days!
Hello friends! Just thought I'd say hi. Two weeks Hello friends! Just thought I'd say hi. Two weeks since leaving hospital and I'm doing much better than I expected to be at this early stage. A long recovery road ahead but making progress in how much I can move my arm and although I drag myself through some days non-stop yawning, others I can go for a little walk or out for lunch before collapsing on the couch! I can now tie my own hair back and put on a real bra which is very exciting 🤣 Having my bestie here to help us with the boys, drive me places and just be brilliant positive company is the best thing I could have asked for not to mention the many Dinner Ladies vouchers from friends! Thanks for all your kind messages, cards, flowers, gifts and offers of help ❤️
I definitely feel like a statistic now but hoping I definitely feel like a statistic now but hoping to raise some awareness off the back of my misfortune (and also very lucky escape).

@newsouthwaleshealth have just put out this warning about a rise in serious bacterial infections. iGAS (invasive group A streptococcus) is what caused my necrotising fasciitis and sepsis.

Apparently there's similar happening in VIC too.

It's extremely rare but very serious nonetheless so please have a read and be aware of symptoms. I've linked to the article from a button via my link in bio.

#interiorsaddict #jenbishop #necrotisingfasciitis #groupastrep #groupastreptococcus #sepsis
While new technologies continue to shape the inter While new technologies continue to shape the interior design scene, one that has been getting a fair bit of traction of late is marble-look porcelain. A cheaper alternative to natural stone, the latest printed porcelain tile technology makes it difficult to distinguish from the real thing.

Founded by husband and wife duo Anton and Rita Bourtsev, Sydney’s @kaolintiles has a unique offering in this space with over 100 different marble-look tile designs in small and large formats.

More via link in bio now.

#porcelain #porcelaintile #porcelaintiles #largeformattiles #largeformattile #marblelooktiles #bathroomtrends2023 #interiorsaddict #theinteriorsaddict #heartyourhome #realrenovations #goldsink #brasssink #jenbishop #kaolin #kaolintiles #interiorsblog #interiorsblogger
Promise this is the last wretched hospital photo I Promise this is the last wretched hospital photo I'll post and I hope to be home and with my lippie back on by Monday. You know it's serious when I'm lipstick free, right?!

This was about a week ago in intensive care. And although my arm is still bloody sore I'm now on a normal ward and no longer attached to any drips, drains or a catheter. I've come a long way.

This has been the most physical and mental challenge of my life but I'm through the worst. I kept my arm. The doctors saved my life.

I cannot say it enough times. If you're worried about your health, don't hang around. Things can change so quickly. 

A huge thanks to my amazing husband @damianfrancis We've had the hardest year yet and our marriage has never been stronger, even if my rings did get cut off my finger in hospital 😜

As great of a job as he is doing at home with the kids, I cannot wait to get home now. Countdown is on to a new year and a fresh start.

And I can't say enough just how overwhelmingly grateful I am to all the medical professionals involved in my care, from the @healthdirectaus nurse who sent me to Emergency to the exceptional surgeons, doctors, nurses and support staff.

Happy New Year, everyone. Remember you never know what's around the corner and this is not a dress rehearsal!

And huge thank you for all your kindness here. Has been amazing while stuck in bed.

Xxx

For those who missed it, I was unlucky enough to get necrotising fasciitis. You'll have to Google it.
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Amy Collins Walker

About Amy Collins Walker

Amy is our regular feature writer, an experienced journalist and interior stylist living in Perth, Western Australia. Find out more about her styling work at http://www.amycollinswalker.com/

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