Adding a kitchenette/wet bar

Discussion in 'Renovation & Home Improvement' started by Lacrim, 22nd Sep, 2020.

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  1. Lacrim

    Lacrim Well-Known Member

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    Just renovating a place at the moment (house) and just wanted to know if adding a kitchenette or wet bar is legal - so no hardwired oven and cooktop, just a bench, cabinetry and a sink. Property is in NSW.
     
  2. Paul@PAS

    Paul@PAS Tax, Accounting + SMSF + All things Property Tax Business Plus Member

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    What does your local council say ? The sink means water and waste. Plumber must connect it.

    Plumbing and Drainage Act NSW 2011. Section 4 details what counts as plumbing work. In short, stormwater and “owner/occupier” work that involves repairing taps or showerheads is about all you’re allowed – because they don’t count as plumbing work under the act. And sewer work is a big no. eg Connecting sink to waste is to sewer. Or extending water to the sink. Council can order it all removed.

    The act goes on in Section 6 to note that only people authorised under the Home Building Act 1989 can complete “plumbing and drainage” work. Not only that, but the act allows the plumbing regulator to inspect any plumbing work. And recoup the costs of that inspection.

    HOME BUILDING ACT 1989 - As at 11 August 2020 - Act 147 of 1989
    Div 2 also governs what works a homeowner can complete without being licensed.
     
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  3. Lacrim

    Lacrim Well-Known Member

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    Council said its a grey area and given Exempt Dev is silent on it, it probably falls into CDC/DA territory.

    I don't get it. If its not structural, doesn't invade the privacy of others, isn't an illegal granny conversion and doesn't add to any fire risks, what's the issue?
     
  4. Stoffo

    Stoffo Well-Known Member

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    The issue is that should you sell a buyer will expect everything to be legal.

    Plenty of people pull a dodgy, then if there's a problem the buyer either wears it or sue's the previous owner !

    Sure you might be able to change a power point, but not being legally qualified or insured to do so means if there is a fire or worse, someone is electrocuted you will be going to jail :confused:

    I have walked away from several purchases previously, as when looking at previous listing pics/floorplans on line I have seen changes so have asked for certification, only to hear crickets :rolleyes:

    (*so your plumbing/drainage leaks, this causes subsidence in the ground and the foundations fail resulting in an exterior wall collapsing, stabilisation and repair works cost $180,000, who pays ? Or you put tenants in, the drain leaks into floor/wall space causing a mould issue that puts the tenants kids in hospital for weeks, bet your insurance won't cover this either !). Sorry
     
    Last edited: 22nd Sep, 2020
  5. Paul@PAS

    Paul@PAS Tax, Accounting + SMSF + All things Property Tax Business Plus Member

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    Stoffo you raise a good point. But the former owner cant be sued. Its buyer beware. The buyer acquires the liability to council. They cant blame a former owner.

    In a recent insurance claim at home the insurer (Suncorp) refused to repair water damage until I demonstrated a plumber effected the pipe repairs. Receipt provided and it was fine.
     
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  6. Angel

    Angel Well-Known Member

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    I took the question to be asking: is it legal to add a kitchenette or wet bar to a house without doing an application to council?
     
  7. Lacrim

    Lacrim Well-Known Member

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    Correct - the only controversial part is the sink, because a bench and cabinetry is no different to sat, a built in wardrobe.
     
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  8. Something_Wrong

    Something_Wrong Well-Known Member

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    Where are you adding the wet bar? Backyard, in a garage or on a deck

    Is it no different to the outdoor modular kitchens you buy from Bunnings and the like?