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Granny flats, also known as secondary suites or accessory dwelling units, are self-contained extra living spaces typically located in the backyard or on the same property as an existing home. They are growing in popularity in many places, including right here in Newcastle. As per experts like Granny Flat Solutions, building granny flats Newcastle can provide a number of benefits for both homeowners and the local community. Here is a closer look at why granny flats are worth considering in Newcastle.

More Affordable Housing Options

One of the biggest advantages of granny flats is that they expand affordable rental opportunities within suburban neighborhoods. As housing costs continue rising across Australia, adding a granny flat creates an additional living space that can be rented out at below market rates. This helps address the shortage of affordable accommodation. It provides cheaper rental choices for young people, seniors on fixed incomes, single parents and other groups struggling with high rents around Newcastle.

Photo by Pavel Danilyuk

Ageing in Place for Seniors 

Granny flats allow seniors in Newcastle to comfortably age in place instead of having to move into care facilities or unfamiliar neighborhoods. Having parents or grandparents live autonomously in a backyard flat allows family to keep an eye on them while still giving them privacy and independence. It can also help seniors remain more socially engaged within a familiar community.

Multigenerational Living  

Granny flats make it easier for multiple generations of the same family to live together in Newcastle. Kids can grow up spending time with grandparents right at home. Parents can utilize grandparents for convenient childcare and elder care. Grandparents can enjoy helping to raise their grandkids. Multi-gen households can also share living expenses, which helps financially in expensive times.  

Extra Rental Income  

Homeowners around Newcastle can generate extra revenue by renting out a secondary suite as a rental granny flat. This additional income stream can help offset housing costs during difficult financial periods or retirement. It can also make expensive homes more affordable by covering part of the mortgage payment through rental income.

Smart Housing Density

Secondary suites help add density, infilling neighborhoods in a responsible way without drastically changing existing suburb character. This increases housing supply near jobs, amenities and transit rather than contributing to urban sprawl. Denser housing also means more customers to support local Newcastle businesses. Boosting density curbs commute times and benefits the environment too.  

Preserving Urban Tree Canopy 

Unlike bulky townhouse or apartment developments, fitting a compact granny flat into an existing backyard doesn’t require clearing valuable urban green space. The urban tree canopy plays an important role cleaning air, reducing stormwater runoff, cooling extreme heat impacts and beautifying communities. Protecting mature trees by simply infilling unused space between buildings maintains Newcastle’s lush natural landscape.

Increased Property Values

Adding a legal and approved granny flat at the rear of a property can directly boost the total resale value. Not only does it add a usable living area to the site, but it also creates the ability for rental income and multi-family arrangements that future buyers may desire. Many homeowners recoup granny flat construction costs with increased sales prices.

Simplified Process

The process for building a granny flat has become much more straightforward in recent years. A complying development application makes it easier, faster and cheaper to get approval if you stay within standard size and height allowances. Newcastle also waives all council approval and infrastructure fees for granny flats under 60 square meters or $100,000 in value to incentivize more affordable secondary suite construction locally. Taking advantage of the simplified granny flat approval process saves homeowners significant time, money and headaches.  

Conclusion 

There are clearly many excellent reasons more Novocastrians might consider adding a granny flat. Offering environmental benefits, community housing solutions and personal financial advantages, secondary suites deserve an important ongoing role helping sustainably address local housing needs now and into the future.