Building a house: Permits

Building a house is not all about the physical aspects. Many legal requirements must be adhered to and various permits obtained before any construction can even be approved to take place. It sounds like a bother, but these restrictions are actually in place to protect you and to make sure that your home is built safely.

It is highly recommended that all people who are planning to build a home hire a good lawyer to ensure that none of the finer details are missed. Below are some common legal and permit issues that you may need to address before construction of your house can go ahead.

What is a building permit?

A building permit is a document providing official written approval that your building plans have been successfully reviewed by a qualified surveyor or inspector. Permits are in place to ensure that your home will be built safely, preventing dangerous building practices. A permit must be obtained before commencement of construction.

Permits can be applied for by your building contractor or yourself - however, the latter option can often be tedious if you've had no prior experience dealing with permit applications. Permit costs and requirements may vary within different local councils and governing bodies; however, most generally hold the same safety values.

How can I get my building permit approved?

There is no guarantee that your application for a building permit will be approved; however, there are some guidelines that you can follow to make the process run a lot more smoothly for all involved. Some things to do before applying could include:

• Visit your local council or governing body and make sure that you have all the information you need about building requirements.
• Ask the neighbours what they think of your plans. For example, if you plan to build a two storey house with a balcony, make sure no one feels like you're disrespecting their privacy or blocking their view.
• Organise some carefully constructed plans with an experienced building contractor and/or architect.
• Ask your local council for advice on your building plans and make necessary amendments.
• Submit your plans and application.

Sometimes building permit applications are not approved even if you've taken all the correct steps; however, if this is the case, you are able to appeal such decisions. If your application is approved you will be provided with a building permit and construction certificate.