For the right sort of property there are some features to bear in mind as a guide so that it can be suitable for granny flats. Source: http://ipswichgrannyflats.com.au/

1. RIGHT SORT OF
PROPERTY FOR A GRANNY
FLATS

2. What’s the Right Sort of Property for a Granny
Flat?

3. Features
• There are a number of key features to bear in mind when
looking for a property that will be suitable for a Granny
Flat, and so we have listed some of them below as a
guide :
• Size of Block
• Existing dwelling on the property
• Location of services
• Rear yard access
• Slope of land
• Corner blocks

4. Size of Block
• Under the relaxation of the
planning scheme under Ipswich
City Council, there is no
minimum land size for the
building of a Granny
Flat. However there are some
logical approaches to it such as
side or rear yard access.

5. Existing dwelling on the property
• When looking to purchase a property with the pure intent of
building a Granny Flat to increase the rent return, it is a
good idea to look at the position of the existing dwelling on
the site. If the existing home is smack bang in the middle of
the block, do you have access to the rear, or would the
tenants need to park out the front – to be able to park
beside the Granny Flat would be a much better option for all
concerned. If the Granny Flat is going to be located to the
left or right hand side of the existing dwelling, is there
enough room to have a 6’ high dividing fence between the 2
houses? Will both houses be looking in each others space
– nothing worse than your neighbours looking into your
living room…

6. • Other considerations include existing gardens or large
trees. At this point in time there are no tree preservation
orders in place within the Ipswich LGA. But if you have
your heart set on a particular property that has a
magnificent mango tree in the backyard (something we
from down south much admire!), it’s not much use if you
are considering it as a Granny Flat proposition.

7. Location of services
• In our due diligence we investigate all aspects of a
Granny Flat development, and this is part of our
process. There are standard requirements for setbacks
from water and sewer mains as well as other services
that need to be adhered to. Just because a sewer main
runs through the middle of where you want to build,
doesn’t necessarily mean you can’t build, but can add
substantial $’s to your total end cost.

8. Rear yard access
• It’s always a good thing if any property has rear year
access particularly if you are building a Granny Flat in
the back yard – otherwise how does the delivery of
building materials happen, or how do the tradies
themselves get their vehicles in the backyard for that
matter. If access slows down delivery, this can add
several thousand dollars to the project.
The most common rear yard access is due to garages at
the end of the existing driveway.

9. Slope of land
• As with any new build or development the fall of the land
is hugely important. It’s always recommended that the
land slopes to the road, as the council requires drainage
back to the kerb and gutter, unless you can tap into a
storm water drain on the property or an agreed
neighbour. You may in some instances negotiate with
the council for a rubble drain, but this in itself is a long,
slow costly resolution that is difficult to attain. So your
best option always is to find a property that is either flat
or slopes to the road.

10. Corner blocks
• I personally like corner blocks as it’s relatively easy for
your two separate access points for parking/ entrance to
each property. Always look at the backyard on these
properties, as they often have only a small yard. As
Ipswich City Council has no minimum land requirements
for a Granny Flat this can still be achieved on a relatively
small size block! A great number of corner properties in
Ipswich already have the second slip way (driveway) in
place, making it a great start for your Granny Flat
project.

11. THANK YOU
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Ipswich Granny Flats