Dual occupancy without council permit, building insurance

Discussion in 'Legal Issues' started by Brenda Davies, 26th Apr, 2021.

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  1. Brenda Davies

    Brenda Davies New Member

    Joined:
    26th Apr, 2021
    Posts:
    1
    Location:
    Noosa
    Hi,
    I have a single storey house that I would like to split into 2 and rent out to separate tenants on different tenancy agreements
    The dividing wall won’t be a fire wall
    If I don’t have council approval/ permit for the dual occupancy, can I still get building insurance that would cover me in the event of damage such as fire which might start one end and spread to the other?
    I presume 2 landlord insurance policies would not be a problem?
     
    Brenda Davies, 26th Apr, 2021
    #1
  2. Scott No Mates

    Scott No Mates Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    18th Jun, 2015
    Posts:
    27,245
    Location:
    Sydney or NSW or Australia
    Council has the power to force the reamalgamation of the building back into a single property, cause to terminate the leases & return the rent to the tenants.
     
    Scott No Mates, 26th Apr, 2021
    #2
  3. robboat

    robboat Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    20th Jun, 2015
    Posts:
    177
    Location:
    Sunny Queensland
    Welcome Brenda,
    You have almost answered your own question...
    Unless you have building and council approval the insurance company will likely deem your property as non compliant and refuse insurance.
    To get this approval you will need to meet BCA requirements and also submit a development application to council for approval.
    It is worthwhile to seek a licenced builder first for advice about making a suitable fire wall.
    Good luck....:)
     
    robboat, 26th Apr, 2021
    #3
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