Hi,
I've fallen in love with a massive project in a regional town in New South Wales. It was built circa 1937 as a weatherboard school house and has never been officially used as a residence. The inside is totally gutted, there are walls and floors but no kitchen/bathroom/connection to septic tanks. It looks like it needs a new roof put on, some of the piers/supports look a bit rickety and might need replacing. Some windows are broken so it's not even really lockable as is.
Firstly, should I still get a pest and building inspection for it even in this state?
Secondly, I've emailed the Council about what the requirements are to receive an Occupation Certificate so we can spend weekends in it while we continue with the project. Is it things like smoke detectors, waterproof membranes to wet areas? Does it means it needs a kitchen, bathroom, laundry etc?
If the house has never had an Occupation Certificate, do all aspects of the building need to backwards comply with modern legislation? Things like using asbestos in the walls and the aging septic tanks?
Finally, which items in a renovation/restoration need approval from council if you aren't knocking anything down or extending- e.g. new roof, fitting out with a kitchen/bathroom/laundry? Internal gyp-rocking?
Many thanks and apologies for all the questions.