Dual Occupancy - CNG Building Services

Dual occupancy properties can be a little complicated. Technically, you have one (attached or detached) title even though you have a couple of houses or properties on that land. While it can be challenging to process dual occupancies initially, it does have its advantages. The benefits include subdividing the area, gaining a higher valuation (up to 40%) and attracting a higher rent because the property has a larger footprint. Furthermore, you can sell either residence, and you are free from the minimum lot size requirements.

As a property owner, building a dual occupancy property is a sound decision. However, you should make sure that you manage your assets with the help of an experienced contractor like CNG Building Service. By doing so, you can guarantee a good-quality construction without overspending the budget you’ve allocated for your property.

Processing dual occupancy building permits in New South Wales


Many advantages come with the dual occupancy approval of any property. However, it’s not just a simple matter of building two houses on a single plot of land. There are essential requirements needed for your property to qualify for dual occupancy, and we can help you get started on that.

Firstly, we will do an initial preliminary planning assessment to determine if having a dual occupancy is allowed on your property. Next, we gauge your chances of gaining council approval. In doing so, we attend to any critical issues which may arise.

Once we are more secure of obtaining a successful approval, we’ll begin to process your paperwork and file it to the council under development controls. We’ll also do the legwork for other necessary building permits and approvals once we have feedback from the local council.

Dual Occupancy - CNG Building Services
Dual Occupancy - CNG Building Services

Designing your house or building to meet the dual occupancy requirements of local councils


There are fundamental rules that property designers need to comply with to increase the chances of having your property approved for dual occupancy. As we’ve been building dual occupancy properties in NSW for years, we have a general idea of what local councils are looking for during the approval process.

Below are some of the most common areas of compliance addressed:

  • Privacy – Commonly, there are objections raised by surrounding residents and neighbours relating to the infringement of privacy. If such claims arise, we can address the issues raised and make necessary adjustments so that your appeal has a greater chance of approval.
  • Floor Area – In the development application, we must provide evidence that in the dual occupancy property, exceeding floor areas will not have a negative impact or detrimental effect on the neighbouring properties. In the case that your dual occupancy property meets the floor area amount permitted under council rules, you will also meet council requirements.
  • Bushfire-prone areas – If your property is situated in a bushfire-prone area, then you must make sure that you meet the requirements of the NSW Rural Fire Service. We can introduce you to this agency during the assessment process to substantiate to the council that the design of your home is sound and not vulnerable to bushfires.
  • Properly defining your type of development – A duplex, dual occupancy, and secondary dwelling are distinctly different property types. From the outset, we can advise you which multi-residential category your property fits into. This makes designing the layout of your building, and subsequent approvals faster and easier.

Let CNG Building Service help you build your dual occupancy property!


Here at CNG Building Service, we will work closely with you from planning to building. Rest assured, we will make sure that your dual occupancy property is built according to the requirements of your local council. If you want to know more about constructing a dual occupancy property, contact us today.

Dual Occupancy - CNG Building Services
Dream Home Builders Newcastle - CNG Building Services

Here at CNG Building Service, we take that statement to mind when it comes to planning, designing, and building your home. 

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