The New Zealand government is hoping to change the law in an effort to make it easier to build granny flats and similar structures.

The move – proposed in a new discussion document open to submissions today – would mean law changes to make it easier to build structures of up to 60 square metres. It proposes that those dwellings can be built in rural and residential zones without a building or resource consent, so long as they meet certain criteria.

While it’s a good idea, and I’m fully supportive of changes to make building homes easier, I’m not sure this is going to be as easy as it sounds. The big issue that’s not been mentioned is how you’re going to connect to 3 waters: sewer, stormwater and water, without needed a council permit, and this is where the holdups and costs come in, getting council consent. If it does work out, I’ve mentioned in the video how you could potentially build a 130m2 dwelling, without a consent.

John Kenel
Assured Property Investments