Dual key units?

What are dual key units and how do they work?

A real estate agent was talking about them a few weeks ago. He was saying that some developers are building dual key units for those they are holding, in order to generate more cash flow. For example, rather than building a stock standard 3x2; they would convert the 3x2 into a 2x1 and 1x1, separated by a door. Both 'units' will have key entry. It'll require an additional small kitchen for the 1x1.

Anyone come across these before? (Or developed them?)

How does council approval work? And how do utility bills work?

 

Units? May be the agent meant houses with attached granny flat. Otherwise @Westminster would have built a few by now

 

Ha! I've steered well clear of most dual key though I have considered ancillary dwellings/GFs. There are some small lot subdivisions where a GF/ancillary dwelling is allowed on lots smaller than 450sqm. For example in Joondalup and Clarkson you can put a 40sqm dwelling on top of a garage on a block that is a mere 150sqm in some places.

With proper/legit dual key you need fire proof wall/doors between the two. The main places I've seen it it hotels and short term accomodation where they work on different criteria.

In your example I just can't see how a Council would approve it - even with a firewall as you can see the intent clear as day that one of the part of it will not have private open space, may not have parking etc etc. Maybe they do it after council inspection on completion and add in the second kitchen then. Just asking for issues if there is a fire.

 

Yeah, it did sound a bit dodgy.

 

There have been units on the Gold and Sunshine coasts like this for a long time. I have no idea how they perform, but if you search RE.com with those search paramaters, especially Gold Coast, they will come up and you can see how they look.

 

where is it located?

 

http://www.realestate.com.au/property-house-wa-banjup-416457965

I too have wondered what council's and insurer's views would be on properties such as these.
Seems legit (cough)

 

That is a house with granny flat and it is legal.

 

Thanks Singo, I guess it was the 'split down the middle' comment, plus both being 2x1 that made me question it.
It doesn't mention where the second entrance is, nor if dual key.
Does that even make a difference for the legality of a granny flat? Does it matter if they share the same front door and/or garage?

 

That looks a bit like what I was referring to. Wonder what the floor plans would look like.

 

I have no idea about that particular house. But few builders like impressions have designs with one bedroom 60 Sqm GF. Should be able to add another 10sqm bedroom.
www.impressions.net.au/mobile/dream_living_detail.asp?id=479

 

Interesting. Can you separate the utility bills, or are they combined?

 

I have no idea. But I don't think water corp or Alinta will install separate meters. Probably have to talk to the builder to separate the supply to the granny flat and enable a separate readings so that the total bill amount can be divided according to the usage.

A detached granny flat doesn't always look good in the backyard and young families need more rooms and bathrooms. So building these attached GFs and renting them out when that space isn't used would be a good idea, I reckon.

 

Hey @Aaron Sice .... What do reckon about dual key units? Rather than 4x2 units.... Do two 2x1.

 

There's no determining what the dwelling is vs ancillary, so I daresay as long as one doesn't exceed plot ratio, then the other is the dwelling. Can do a 2x2 inside 70 so......?

Reality is you need a nice 16+m frontage to make it work well though and design in some separation.