Latest news with #grannyflat
Daily Mail
11-07-2025
- Business
- Daily Mail
Homeowner is ordered to tear down £180k bungalow he built in in his back garden without planning permission because he 'thought it was fine'
A homeowner has been ordered to tear down an £180,000 bungalow he built in his back garden because he failed to get planning permission. Mark Jones, 55, replaced an old garage in his back garden with a two-bedroom 'granny flat', hooking up the electricity, water and internet to his house in March 2019. Taking six months to complete, the 83 sq meter brick annex features a kitchen diner, two bedrooms, a bathroom and storeroom. However, Mr Jones did not apply for planning permission, arguing that he 'thought it was fine' due to the building's size and the utilities being connected to the main house. Despite submitting a retrospective planning application, Birmingham City Council said that the ' alien ' building must be teared down in 2021. Following an unsuccessful second application, he has now been ordered to demolish the bungalow by the end of the month or face possible legal action. The father-of-two said: 'The bungalow was within the permitted development rights and could have habitable rooms. 'It was meant for my father and is reliant on the main house. There are several properties nearby with two-storey buildings in their gardens so I thought it was fine. 'It started at £60,000 but it didn't have a kitchen so I added one on the plans.' Birmingham City Council's objection to the bungalow came after several neighbours submitted complaints about its 'over-intensive' size. Other complaints included concerns over parking, privacy for neighbours and light coming from the new bungalow. The white-washed building features its own gravel drive and patio seating area. Its water and electrics are connected to the main house, a three-bedroom property worth around £355,000. Mr Jones, an IT engineer, had initially hoped that his unwell father, Tony, 71, would live in the property in Sutton Coldfield, West Midlands. However, Tony died of bowel cancer just a few months later. Mr Jones then moved into the bungalow after he and his wife divorced. Mr Jones, who insists there is 'no public interest' in the bungalow being removed, argued that the council are 'bullying him' by removing a 'perfectly reasonable' property. Pictured: a Google street view that shows his house in March 2017, prior to the construction of the bungalow in March 2019 He said: 'You look at other houses on the street and I can't see why we wouldn't get permission for it. For an area with a housing shortage, it's ridiculous. 'Loads of people have done this. If I tear it down I've got nowhere else to go so I'll probably be on the streets.' Adding that the bungalow was 'never meant to be a separate building', he said: 'It doesn't have its own water, internet, council tax or waste. It is still part of the main house. I should have waited for planning permission but people can see why I haven't. 'I was in a hurry to get my dad moved in. When you look at Google maps and see all the buildings in the gardens, you can see why I thought it was safe.' 'From the street or a neighbour's garden, you wouldn't see anything. You can't see into windows. There was a garage there before.' Mr Jones has now applied for a new permitted development certificate application with the council. However, even if it is granted, he will still have to tear down the original bungalow and build it again to comply with the council's rules Mr Jones has now applied for a new permitted development certificate application with the council. However, even if it is granted, he will still have to tear down the original bungalow and build it again to comply with the council's rules. A spokeswoman for Birmingham City Council said: 'Mr Jones is currently in breach of the enforcement notice that was served to him in 2021, and we have given him ample time to comply with the notice by the end of June 2025. 'A decision will be made imminently on the lawful development certificate that Mr Jones has submitted, and a case officer will then be in contact with him to advise further.'
News.com.au
01-07-2025
- Business
- News.com.au
What to consider when you are planning to build a granny flat
Whether you're looking to house elderly parents, earn income from your own backyard or increase the yield on an existing investment property, building a granny flat is an attractive option. But there are several things to consider before you start contacting builders and comparing quotes. WHAT ARE YOU TRYING TO ACHIEVE? PIPA board director and managing director of the ASPIRE Property Advisor Network Richard Crabb says when it comes to planning granny flats 'the devil is in the detail.' While it can be a great way of earning rental income, from an investment perspective, it might not be the best choice depending on the person's strategy and where they sit on their financial journey, he says. He suggests people consider their strategy first before assessing the planning considerations and site feasibility. 'Every council has its own rules.' he says. 'Some allow granny flats as a right on R2 zoned blocks but others also require a DA approval. It's very important to get the right advice.' INVESTMENT CONSIDERATIONS Build quality and design is another thing to consider, especially if you are planning on renting out the property, he says. 'The next bit is really delving into the financial and investment perspective,' he says. 'Granny flats can significantly boost rental yield, especially in the metro fringe, in those growth corridors where there's that rental shortage and housing demand. 'But it might not necessarily increase the capital value of the property proportional to the costs. The capital value isn't going to increase in line with what they spend, necessarily.' This is why strategy is so important, he says. If you are only building a granny flat as an investor to increase rent and you are doing so in an area where you aren't likely to see any capital gains from the outlay of cash, there could be better ways to maximise your investment. 'They could be better off going and buying another completely brand new property separately and using that (money) as a deposit,' he says. 'Rather than trying to overcapitalise on an existing asset that might not get the returns.' On the other hand, says Propell Property managing director Michael Pell, granny flats can be a very useful investing strategy for those with existing properties who can't take on a 30 year mortgage in order to generate a passive income. It may suit older couples who may not have the income to service a loan for an investment property but do have a backyard they don't use anymore. 'The costs are relatively minimal to be able to create an extra $500, $600, $700 – $800 a week in rent,' he says. 'You're talking about a $700,000-$800,000 purchase versus a $100,000-$200,000.' BUILDING CONSIDERATIONS Hipages trade Martin Nguyen from Kubra Building Services says it's important to consider both the size of the block and the site conditions, including soil type, slope, and access, before planning a granny flat. While minimum land size varies across states, you generally need to have a block size of at least 450 sqm, he says. hipages cost guides put the average granny flat between $80,000 and $160,000. 'However, if you're after an incredibly high-end finish with top-of-the-line materials and prices, you can expect this to increase,' he says. 'Keep in mind that these costs don't just include the physical build. Preparation of the site, choice of materials, permits and compliance are all items you'll need to factor into your budget.' 'Unfortunately, not all properties are suited for a granny flat. 'If the site has challenging terrain, poor access, or protected vegetation, homeowners may face higher preparation costs or even building restrictions.' When it comes to the build, time frames can vary, but generally it takes three to four months for council approvals to go through and another three to four months at a minimum for construction to be completed, he says. 'Site preparation, the complexity of the build, and how quickly approvals are granted will all impact the timeline of a build,' he adds. 'However, conversions of existing garages or sheds may be completed faster.' GRANNY FLAT CHECKLIST Consider these things when researching the viability of a granny flat. * Your strategy – why are you doing this? Is it to house relatives or to make money? Is there a better way of investing? Seek advice from the experts * Council requirements – what planning restrictions are in place? Check with your local council * Site feasibility – is your land big enough? How will you divide it? Are there easements or slopes? * Financial considerations – how much will it cost? How much can you afford? Should you invest in better quality to attract tenants? Should you buy a prefab home? * Market conditions – what demand is there for rentals? How much rent will you likely earn? If you are housing relatives, will you rent it in the future? If you plan on selling it in the future, will it add to the value or detract from it?
Daily Mail
25-06-2025
- General
- Daily Mail
Homeowner ordered to tear down £180,000 bungalow he built in in his back garden without planning permission says ruling will put him on the streets
A homeowner ordered to tear down an £180,000 garden bungalow he built without planning permission has argued that the ruling will put him on the streets. Mark Jones, 55, replaced an old garage in his back garden with a two-bedroom 'granny flat', hooking up the electricity, water and internet to his house in March 2019. Taking six months to complete, the 83-square-metre brick annex features a kitchen diner, two bedrooms, alongside a bathroom and storeroom. However, Mr Jones did not apply for planning permission, arguing that he 'thought it was fine' due to the building's size and the utilities being connected to the main house. Despite submitting a retrospective planning application, Birmingham City Council ordered that the ' alien ' building must be teared down in 2021. Following an unsuccessful second application, he has now been ordered to demolish the bungalow by the end of the month or face possible legal action. Sharing his heartbreak at the council's decision, the father-of-two fears that he will 'probably be on the streets' if the demolition takes place. He said: 'The bungalow was within the permitted development rights and could have habitable rooms. 'It was meant for my father and reliant on the main house. There are several properties nearby with two story buildings in their gardens so I thought it was fine. 'It started at £60,000 but it didn't have a kitchen so I added one on the plans.' Birmingham City Council's objection to the bungalow came after several neighbours submitted complaints about its 'over-intensive' size. Other complaints included concerns over parking, privacy for neighbours and light coming from the new bungalow. The white-washed bungalow features its own gravel drive and patio seating area. Its water and electrics are connected to the main house, a three-bedroom property worth around £355,000. Mr Jones, an IT engineer, had initially hoped that his unwell father, Tony, 71, would live in the property in Sutton Coldfield, West Midlands. However, Tony tragically died of bowel cancer just a few months later. Mr Jones then moved into the bungalow after him and his wife divorced. Mr Jones, who insists there is 'no public interest' in the bungalow being removed, argued that the council are 'bullying him' by removing a 'perfectly reasonable' property. Slamming the 'ridiculous' decision, he said: 'You look at other houses on the street and I can't see why we wouldn't get permission for it. For an area with a housing shortage, it's ridiculous. 'Loads of people have done this. If I tear it down I've got nowhere else to go so I'll probably be on the streets.' Adding that the bungalow as 'never meant to be a separate building', he said: 'It doesn't have its own water, internet, council tax or waste. It is still part of the main house. I should've waited for planning permission but people can see why I haven't. 'I was in a hurry to get my dad moved in. When you look at Google maps and see all the buildings in the gardens, you can see why I thought it was safe.' 'From the street or a neighbour's garden, you wouldn't see anything. You can't see into windows. There was a garage there before.' Mr Jones has now applied for a new permitted development certificate application with the council. However, even if it is granted, he will still have to tear down the original bungalow and build it again to comply with the council's rules. A spokeswoman for Birmingham City Council said: 'Mr Jones is currently in breach of the enforcement notice that was served to him in 2021, and we have given him ample time to comply with the notice by the end of June 2025. 'A decision will be made imminently on the lawful development certificate that Mr Jones has submitted, and a case officer will then be in contact with him to advise further.'
ABC News
11-06-2025
- Health
- ABC News
The women of the 'sandwich generation' caring for young and old
I started to notice my 81-year-old mother, Di, struggling just under a year ago, when she texted me late on a Saturday night worrying about some legal paperwork and I could not get her to calm down. After that, she became increasingly anxious and depressed. She no longer took pleasure in the things she loved and began having trouble looking after herself day to day. Realising that mum needed serious professional help, we checked her into a psychiatric hospital for a short stay that turned into six months. Her decline was rapid. She seemed to wither before our eyes. There were falls, a broken arm, delirium, COVID, and, most likely dementia. She couldn't walk from bed to the toilet unaided. Only months prior, mum had lived alone and was independent. She had always been fearsome, a former school principal with a booming laugh and a single mother who made sure I had everything — a picture of self-sacrifice. We love each other to pieces, but also annoy each other like no-one else can. When I realised mum wouldn't be able to live on her own anymore, we planned for her to move into a granny flat at the back of our place when she left the hospital. I suddenly found myself part of what is sometimes called the "sandwich generation": people (mostly women) who have the task of being the primary carer for the generations on either side. My life was hectic even before mum became unwell. I'm an executive producer on the podcast Ladies, We Need to Talk and a parent to my two lovely and spirited neurodivergent kids, who are nine and 11. I knew it was going to be hard work, but nothing prepared me for the difficulty of trying to look after everyone all at once. Every day is spent frantically managing other people's needs, and our time spent together is mostly functional, keeping everyone warm, medicated, fed and showered. As well as helping mum after her release from hospital and getting the kids ready for school, a team of support workers for mum came and went daily, which required a tonne of admin and endless time on the phone. I often feel tired, and like my emotional reserves are used up on everybody else. It could break me on some days. But I'm not alone. There are around 1.5 million Aussies who are in this situation, and the numbers are rising. The 2022 Income and Labour Dynamics in Australia (the "HILDA") Survey, found that women were "considerably more likely" to be carers than men. As Australia's population ages, by 2050 the 85+ age group is expected to triple. We're also having babies later, which means women are often at the peak of their careers when they need to start caring for their kids and their elderly parents too. So, I wanted to find out what the sandwich generation can do to take care not only of the people around them, but of themselves. And for those not at that stage yet, how can we set ourselves up to survive this period? I met with Nasalifya Namwinga, a clinical psychologist and burnout researcher, who often sees how women carry most of the caregiving load, and how heavy this can be for them. "I think there's an expectation that as a woman, you'll provide this care. You're being pulled in three different directions and you are being stretched to meet the needs of these particular roles [as a mother, carer and partner]," she says. Namwinga says it can be helpful to have conversations about expectations of who does the care work early on, "while the parent actually has the capacity to engage or contribute". I've used the word burnout a lot in the past year. But I've often wondered how you know you are experiencing carer burnout as opposed to just being a bit tired and over it? Namwinga says there are three components to burnout: exhaustion, low efficacy and cynicism. I identify with "low efficacy" — stuff like missing kids' appointments, or being late on paying my bills — things that are not the norm for me. Namwinga says cynicism is also one to keep an eye on. "[Cynicism] might play out as anger or intense emotions that don't match how you feel about the thing that you're doing. Those are the feelings that come up that; 'I just wish I didn't have to do any of it.' That's probably a sign you're experiencing carer burnout." I think a lot of mothers and carers struggle with asking for help, because we're used to doing it all, and we are really good at juggling a million things. Namwinga says protecting ourselves from burnout is ultimately about "scaffolding" ourselves with support from others. "So if I start experiencing exhaustion to the point that I'm struggling to get out of bed, who can I call? And asking them for support when you need it. And that means you have to prioritise yourself." Phyllis, who is looking after her mother and children, thinks the term "sandwich generation" needs a rebrand. I spoke to Phyllis because I wanted to hear about women going through similar experiences. She is in the thick of it right now, caring for her 94-year-old mother, Barbara, and two teenage sons, who are 15 and 18, while also working four days a week. She's been her mum's main carer since Barbara's husband died 13 years ago. "He was the filter through which mum saw the world, so when he passed, I had to step into that role," she says. Barbara is in great health for a nonagenarian, but she doesn't drive anymore, and Greek is the language she's most comfortable with. So Phyllis is Barbara's emotional support, her taxi driver, her translator and personal assistant. She tries to see her mum twice a week, and they stay in constant phone contact. But she has set clear expectations with Barbara about how much she can offer as a carer while also trying to parent two teenagers. "My sons come first," she says. "You cannot in this day and age take your hands off the wheel. You can't just say 'hey they're teenagers now, go be free'. It adds a whole other layer of complexity to the parenting equation." As the primary carer, Phyllis can sometimes feel the pressure of non-stop demands from her mum. Coupled with exhaustion, it means Phyllis can sometimes lose her cool with her mum. "The boys have been present when I've argued with my mother and we've gone hammer and tongs and it's been really ugly. But then they also see when we make up," she says. The women staying single by choice in a world of relentless dating pressure The idea of modelling healthy relationships to your kids is something Namwinga leans into in her practice. "When we mess up as parents, it actually provides a beautiful moment for repair with our children, which teaches them something about relationships. It teaches them that you are not perfect," she says. "You can get things wrong. [Saying] 'I was wrong and I'm sorry', is a really powerful experience for a child to learn that if my parent doesn't have to be perfect, then maybe I don't have to be perfect either." Phyllis says there can also be little moments of beauty with her mother. "She can be a really complex, difficult character, but she's very loving and she's very kind and beneath all the bluster, is a very frightened, vulnerable little girl," she says. "And that's what I try and hold onto when times can be tough. "And it makes me emotional because, she's just such a force of nature. She's been through a lot of rejection and pain, and yet she's still who she is unapologetically. She's dealing with her frailties of aging with as much grace as she can muster." I recently spent the day with mum after she had been in respite care for about three weeks. I took her shopping and I could tell she thought she felt good about herself for the first time in a long while. It was so great to see her sparkling a bit. We went out for lunch and she told me about some friends she made in care, and how they get together to complain about the food. Having a chat with me was out of the ordinary for her; normally it's just a list of worries. It made me feel a bit lighter, like there was a light at the end of the tunnel. I know there'll be many more bad days ahead, but she's in a good place right now, and we've just signed the paperwork for her to stay in care permanently. But I'm also battling with something more existential as I watch my mum get older — a living grief for the woman she once was. A part of me is also preparing for the end. "It is a complex grief to be watching someone you love slip away from you," Namwinga tells me. "If they experience things like dementia, they're losing memories, they're losing mobility, [and] watching that process can be quite heartbreaking." It is a privilege to be in a position where I can care for my mum and be able to pay her back for a lot of the stuff she did raising me. If I was going to give any advice, it would be that it's going to happen way faster than you think. You think you've got years, but one event can just send everything spiralling out of control and change the whole world for them and for you. So talk to your parents early about their power of attorney, their enduring guardianship, about their will and final wishes. They're hard conversations to have, but it's much easier to have them sooner than later. The host of the Ladies, We Need To Talk, Yumi Stynes, once gave me some words of advice when I was having a bit of a shitty week: "Don't be heroic." So I've taken those words on board and it's now my current Sandwich Gen motto.
RNZ News
06-06-2025
- Business
- RNZ News
Making it easier to build a granny flat makes sense - but it's no solution to a housing crisis
First published on Building a basic 70-square-metre granny flat will cost between NZ$200,000 and $300,000. Photo: 123rf As part of its resource management reforms , the government will soon allow "super-sized granny flats" to be built without consent - potentially adding 13,000 dwellings over the next decade to provide "families with more housing options". This represents genuine progress in reducing regulatory barriers. But the scale of the housing crisis means we have to ask whether incremental reforms can deliver meaningful change. The numbers provide important context. Against current consenting rates of 40,000 to 50,000 new dwellings per year, those projected 70-square-metre granny flats represent a 2.6 percent increase in housing supply. In Auckland, where housing pressure is most acute, 300 additional units might be built annually. For some, that's likely to be useful. But for a country already facing a housing crunch, it's insignificant. The numbers also reveal who can participate in this proposed solution. Building a basic 70-square-metre granny flat will cost between NZ$200,000 and $300,000. Add site works, utility connections and mandatory licensed building practitioner supervision, and total project costs will be closer to the upper end of that range. At current interest rates, financing $250,000 requires approximately $480 weekly in loan payments. While rents of $500-$600 per week are achievable in urban markets, these thin margins assume optimal conditions. For property owners with existing equity, this presents a viable investment. For those seeking affordable housing - young families, essential workers, recent immigrants - the benefits remain largely theoretical. This dynamic illustrates a persistent challenge in market-based housing solutions: policies intended to improve affordability often primarily benefit those with capital to deploy . Each granny flat requires full residential infrastructure - water, wastewater and stormwater connections. The development contributions - fees councils charge on new builds to fund infrastructure - will help fund network upgrades. But New Zealand already faces a $120-185 billion water infrastructure deficit over the next 30 years, just to fix existing systems. The challenge is particularly acute in established suburbs where these units are most likely to appear. Parts of Christchurch serviced by vacuum sewers already operate at capacity. Auckland's combined sewer areas face overflow risks during heavy rainfall. Wellington's ageing pipes struggle with current demand. Adding thousands of dispersed infill units to stressed networks poses genuine engineering challenges that funding alone cannot solve. Transport infrastructure faces similar pressures. With minimum parking requirements axed across the nation, these new granny flats will likely increase on-street parking demand and local traffic. While some granny flat residents may rely on public transport or active modes, New Zealand's car ownership rates - 837 vehicles per 1,000 people - suggest most will own vehicles. International experience offers instructive parallels. California's 2017 Accessory Dwelling Unit legislation provides the closest comparison. After removing similar regulatory barriers, California saw permits increase from 1,000 in 2016 to 13,000 in 2019. However, construction costs and infrastructure constraints limited actual completions to roughly 60 percent of approved units. Australian cities report similar patterns. Despite permissive regulations in many areas, only 13-23 percent of suitable properties actually added secondary dwellings. High construction costs and infrastructure limitations proved more binding than regulatory constraints. Closer to home, Auckland's experience with minor dwellings under the Unitary Plan suggests cautious optimism. Since 2016, the city has averaged 300-400 secondary dwelling consents annually where permitted. The number of units actually constructed is unknown. Allowing one-storey detached 70-square-metre units without building consent may increase this modestly. But they are unlikely to dramatically accelerate production given persistent cost and capacity constraints. The policy's benefits flow primarily to existing property owners. They will gain new development rights without competitive tender or public process. While perhaps justified by broader housing benefits, it's worth acknowledging this is a form of wealth transfer. Granny flats typically add roughly their construction cost to property values, providing capital gains alongside rental income potential. For renters, benefits depend on how many units actually materialise and at what price point. Secondary units often rent at 20-30 percent below comparable standalone houses due to their size and backyard location. This could meaningfully expand options for singles and couples. But families requiring larger accommodation will see limited benefits. The policy's design constraints also tell us what kind of urban density is acceptable. Single-storey height limits, two-metre boundary setbacks and standalone requirements essentially mandate the least efficient form of intensification. Units could share walls and services, and two-storey designs that use less land could be permitted. Instead, the granny flat exemption favours the one configuration that maintains suburban aesthetics while delivering minimal extra housing. The granny flat exemption exemplifies New Zealand's approach to housing challenges: acknowledging a crisis while implementing modest responses. Despite severe shortfalls in housing supply, the medium-density development common in comparable countries remains largely unrealised. An estimated 180,000 households could be accommodated through comprehensive densification. There are genuine benefits worth acknowledging, of course. The exemption reduces bureaucratic barriers, enables some additional housing and gives property owners new options. The question isn't so much whether the new policy should be embraced. But rather whether the government is willing to complement it with larger changes the housing crisis demands. This story originally appeared in the Conversation .
