Granny flats are usually designed for one or two persons. Typically, these are independent living areas located on the same grounds of a single family home. Granny flats can be completely detached; they may also be attached to the other property on the estate. They are named so because historically, granny flats were a popular option for families to accommodate older parents. In Australia, these dwellings are usually located near the back of the property or block, which allows a space to be created between the main house and the granny flat. 

Because of its smaller size, granny flats usually are classified under the tiny house category. In general, the standard granny flat sizes may range from 50 to 60 square metres. A dwelling of this size typically allows enough space for a bedroom, one bathroom and a living space, including a small kitchen or kitchenette. It is, however, possible to build a granny flat up to a size of 100 square metres or to increase the number of rooms, although this will require the land to be bigger and will also require permissions from local council. In fact, as the average granny flat size is usually a maximum of 60 square metres, many people may even opt for the granny flat to be double storeyed. This will, however, require permissions and adherence to local codes.

There are a wide range of granny flat designs which can suit an individual’s lifestyle and preferences. These designs can be modified according to the granny flat plan as well, i.e. according to the number of rooms in the granny flat. If you want an additional room in your granny flat keeping the standard 60 square metres size, this can be done by making the kitchen and bathroom more compact. This can even end up raising the value of your granny flat, if you are keen to rent it out eventually. While interior design trends are constantly evolving, usually with small spaces such as granny flats, it is recommended to go for open plan living as this maximises square footage usage. Murphy beds are a popular option for people who might have guests over in their granny flats – these beds can be easily folded against the wall so that they don’t take up too much space in the flat and may even eliminate the need for additional rooms. Furthermore, if you want to save money on your build, you may even use reclaimed materials to build your granny flat. To further enhance your granny flat design, you can add outdoor living space and increase the space of the flat without breaking laws. This means that it is indeed possible to add a patio or a deck to your granny flat. Again, this will ultimately help you by raising the value of your granny flat.

If you are planning to build a granny flat, there will be several factors you will have to consider. The property will need to meet minimum granny flat rules imposed by the NSW government. There are certain state laws applicable for each state in Australia for building granny flats. Firstly, in New South Wales, any homeowner looking to build a granny flat will have to ensure their property is larger than 450 square meters and has a minimum 12 metre street frontage. The sheer size of this implies that the granny flat can have up to 2 bedrooms, with council approval obtained in just four weeks. The property must have residential zoning and maintain a distance of minimum 3 metres from any existing trees which are over 4 metres in height. Only a maximum one granny flat is eligible for each eligible block of property. The property must also have a minimum 12 metre width at the building line of the existing home. These are some of the main state laws which must be followed before applying to build a granny flat. While it is possible to build a double storey granny flat, which can be above a garage or as a standalone double storey granny flat, you will still need to ensure that the height of the property is not more than 8.5m and the flat’s layout configuration must comply with front and rear setback requirements of the NSW legislation. Generally speaking, New South Wales has one of the most lenient granny rules in Australia as you are allowed to rent out your granny flat just like a normal accommodation.

Granny flats offer endless opportunities to generate an income from your existing property. Building a granny flat is a great way to secure a source of income, whether it is through short term rent or long term rent. To know more about granny flat building procedures and designs, contact P5 Homes today and get a thorough understanding about this lucrative property ownership!