Browse Forums General Discussion 1 Sep 06, 2019 12:09 pm I have got a neighbour who has been working on building a large shed for a few months now - we have 5 acres in the Perth hills. We found out the other day that they are building a 4 bed house inside the shed for his adult kids to live in. As they only have a building permit to build a shed, they are getting two houses on to one property when we are allowed to only have one. Not really an issue for us other than interrupting our views, but worried it might set a precedent - wouldn't want everyone to start doing it thinking they can get away with it. We called the local council with their building permit number to check and they confirmed they have a permit for a studio (one bed/one bath) but the majority of the space must be "shed" - we didn't get a clear answer around the legalities of modifying this, from the local govt as we didn't want to give them too much info....neighbour relations and all that. ....does anyone know what the actual penalties are for this in WA? from experience? Re: changing building purpose after permit approved 2Sep 07, 2019 5:02 pm In WA you can build a granny flat without much issue. On a rural block you could probably build a granny flat and several sheds. I would be inclined to think you're better off with the one building serving both purposes. Would you actually gain anything by pursuing the matter further? Re: changing building purpose after permit approved 3Sep 08, 2019 2:55 pm amilelka In WA you can build a granny flat without much issue. On a rural block you could probably build a granny flat and several sheds. I would be inclined to think you're better off with the one building serving both purposes. Would you actually gain anything by pursuing the matter further? Thanks for your insight but you haven't really answered or understood my question re: penalties. Theres legal and theres illegal and its clearly illegal to build a second dwelling on a property zoned for one. Re: changing building purpose after permit approved 4Sep 08, 2019 3:27 pm It's not illegal if it has been built as an ancillary dwelling (ie granny flat). An ancillary dwelling can consist of a portion of a larger shed, and this is quite common in rural areas. I also don't understand why you feel the need to impose penalties on your neighbor? It seems the shed/ ancillary dwelling has already been built, so I don't know what you're trying to gain... Just my humble opinion. Re: changing building purpose after permit approved 5Sep 08, 2019 4:02 pm Just to recap as you obviously didn't read my original post. They didn't get approval to build a granny flat or ancillary dwelling. They obtained approval to build a studio with the remainder needing to be 75% floor space as storage/shed and have fitted the entire percentage of space out as a house. They concealed the actual purpose of the build on their building permit and submitted false plans. The end result, two dwellings on one property, can change zoning, our rates, the provision of council services and future building permits for everyone else in the area. They aren't doing a conversion - this was the plan from day one. Nice to have your humble opinion but clearly you have no idea. Re: changing building purpose after permit approved 6Sep 08, 2019 4:51 pm Quote: The end result, two dwellings on one property, can change zoning, our rates, the provision of council services and future building permits for everyone else in the area. Sounds like you're catastrophising. There's no known precedent for this at all, it's just in your imagination. Sounds like you're just trying to start trouble. Re: changing building purpose after permit approved 8Sep 08, 2019 5:43 pm Not sure about fines but the local shire can ask them to revert it back. i have a mate who works for a country local govt in building approvals, said he spends most of his time chasing up people for illegal builds and collecting evidence. if they didn't submit with their application the interior layout and plans of what they were doing then they know it isn't legal, Ive seen lots of sheds turned house builds out there that aren't exactly hygienic or would meet code, so theres that as well. A survey must’ve completed by a certified surveyor. This form part of every DA requirement 3 223604 How much are you ahead in payments compared to where the build is at? Have you fully drawn down the loan? 5 11915 If your patio is going to be 35 sqm then that's going to need Council Approval. The fact that they previously approved your 25sqm patio will be irelevant 1 5503 |