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  • Writer's pictureBibin Babu

What is a granny flat in Australia?



A granny flat is a type of property that's specifically designed for elderly people or families with children. It's a small, self-contained unit that typically sits on the ground floor of a house and is used as either a living space or a guest room. They're particularly popular in apartment blocks in Sydney because they offer residents extra privacy. Granny flats can vary in size but are generally quite small — around 60 square meters on average.


They have separate entrances from the main home, and they're usually detached from the property so that they don't interfere with its structural integrity. Granny flats typically come with their kitchen and bathrooms, and they'll usually have a large bedroom and plenty of storage space.


What are the advantages of living in a granny flat?



The stigma of living in the “granny flat” is fading away, as more and more families consider splitting up their living quarters into multiple spaces. Before you jump in with both feet, here are 11 advantages of living in a granny flat:

  1. Fewer distractions – Because the family all resides in the same building, there will be fewer arguments over curfews, TV time, and household chores. The kids will learn to channel their energy into more productive activities, like playing outside or doing homework. Plus, you spend less time on morning commutes, so you can sleep a few extra minutes each day! TAKE A LOOK AT SOME OF OUR COMPLETED GRANNY FLATS

  2. Better parent-child communication: When you have two separate living areas, it is easier to schedule family time for both parents to spend time with their kids. Parents won’t have to worry about missing a bedtime story because they’ve forgotten something at work.

  3. Increased privacy: When the children are asleep, the adults can enjoy some quiet time in their bedrooms without worrying about waking up the little ones. No need to worry about the kids sneaking into your room in the middle of the night!

  4. No more late-night trips to the basement freezer: It’s much easier to get everything you need from your fridge downstairs when your adult living space is located upstairs. You won’t have to wake the kids in the middle of the night to get them out of bed just so you can raid the ice cream stash!

  5. More options for childcare: While children of any age can be disruptive in larger living spaces, little ones are usually more relaxed in smaller quarters.

  6. Flexibility: A granny flat can be a great solution if you want to live in a home that your own family and the children you care for can occupy together, but you are on a tight budget. It can give you more space for less money than a regular detached or semi-detached house would. It can also be used as a rental property and to earn an income for you when you are not living in it. It can even be rented to lodgers when you are not using it. It is very flexible, which is a great advantage.

  7. Security: Although a granny flat is small, it is secure and has locks that are hard to break. It also has its entrance and can be locked from the inside as well as from the outside. This makes it more secure than a house on its property. The security of a granny flat can also be increased by adding extra security features such as a fence, CCTV cameras, and alarms. This is an important consideration for families with young children or for people who feel insecure about living alone.

  8. Location: A granny flat can be easily moved from one location to another. You can put it in the backyard of your current home or move it into your backyard once it is built. This means that you have more flexibility over where you live and you can save on moving costs if you need to move in the future.

  9. Peace: Granny flat is quiet and private. You will be living away from the hustle and bustle of a busy street and will have peace and privacy in your backyard. This can be great if you have children who need some space to play and a quiet place to relax after a busy day at school. It can also be great if you enjoy spending time outdoors in your garden or on your patio but don’t want to have to deal with other people constantly trying to disturb you.

  10. Low maintenance: A granny flat is much cheaper than buying a new house or a semi-detached house. It is also much less expensive than renting an apartment or buying a house near where you work. This means you don’t have to worry about a large monthly mortgage payment and you can save money for other important things in your life. You won’t have to spend as much money on maintenance and repairs as you would with a house and you will save a lot of time by not having to maintain or repair the roof or landscaping on your own.

  11. Affordability: A granny flat costs significantly less than buying or renting a house on your property. It is more affordable for most people than renting an apartment or buying a house on their property. This means that it is a great option for people who can’t afford to buy a home on their property or who want to downsize from a family home to a more manageable unit.

Many people invest in granny flats because they want to increase their income or simply have a better source of income in retirement. They can help retirees make extra money by renting them out regularly and charging tenants lower rental fees than they would charge for a regular house. They can also be a good way to diversify an investment portfolio and generate additional property income without taking on too much risk.



If you are looking for a unique and custom-designed second residence or granny flat, Sydney builders can help. Contact Us

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