What is a Granny Flat?

If you’re a homeowner with too much yard space but too little home space, perhaps the thought of a home expansion has crossed your mind at some point. With ever-gaining popularity and buildability, the granny flat presents a viable, spacious, and cost-considerate solution for the homeowner with a little too much idle room.

So Just What is a Granny Flat? 

A granny flat goes by many names: secondary suite, accessory dwelling unit, and minor dwelling are just some examples of the nomenclature used to denote this quaint standalone home. It refers to a small, self-contained home built on the property of a main house.

What About a Sleepout? 

You may have heard of sleepouts before, and while they’re quite similar in many ways, there are some key differences between them and a granny flat. Most notably, their range of functions differ quite drastically. True to their name, sleepouts are used primarily for just that: sleeping out away from the main home. To this end, they’re typically built as a bedroom or living space without the typical facilities of a full house. Sleepouts lack kitchens and bathroom facilities and are made to be used in conjunction with the main home. Because of this, they lack the necessity for plumbing work and come cheaper.

Then What Does a Granny Flat Have? 

Touted as standalone and self-contained, granny flats are made to operate perfectly independently of the main home for all essential operations. Featuring a kitchen, bathroom, and bedroom(s), granny flats are essentially just small homes. Since they feature their own living spaces and laundry facilities, there would be no reliance on the main home, which makes them quite popular for renting out. Of course, there’s nothing stopping you from using it as extra space for a home gym, game room, or entertainment room.

Image: 2 bedroom, 60 sqm - granny flat floor plan

Should I Build a Granny Flat? 

If you’re in the market for building one, there’s good news. Newly approved legislation changes will allow the building of granny flats up to 70 sqm without the need for a resource or building consent, given that certain conditions are met. The consent process is known to be costly in both time and money. With the change slated to take effect early next year, waiting a few more months could net more competitive quotes, further design variety, and speedier construction time. Compared to extending your current home with attached rooms, building a granny flat is a lot more hassle-free and cost-effective.

A granny flat can be a valuable expansion to your existing home without modifying the original structure. As a fully-featured, standalone home, it offers all the typical facilities in a bite-sized package, ideal for growing families, specialty rooms, or those looking to earn some extra income.