How to Subdivide Series: Article One
THE HOW-TO-SUBDIVIDE SERIES
Article One: Overview of the Subdivision Process
At District Consulting, we're passionate about helping to bring our clients' property development projects to life. Subdividing property is a great way to unlock property potential, and often realise a healthy capital gain in the process.
We're releasing a series of weekly articles detailing the subdivision process and how we can help you with your project. This article is the first part of our Subdivision Series, and provides a high-level overview of the steps required to subdivide your property.
So, how do you know if your block can be subdivided, and what are the steps to make it happen? Broadly, the steps to take to subdivide your property are:
Due diligence
Planning permit application
Planning permit issued: complying with permit conditions
Plan of Subdivision: Certification and Statement of Compliance
New Titles issued
Step Once: Due Diligence
The first step is to work out whether your property has subdivision potential. "Can I subdivide?" is a question we're asked a lot, and the answer depends on a number of factors, including the planning controls, any restrictions on title, physical site characteristics, and other matters. We'll explore the Property Due Diligence process in more detail in our next article.
Step Two: Planning Permit Application
If your property has subdivision potential, you'll need a planning permit to make it happen.
There's a bit of work involved in preparing, lodging and managing a planning permit application. A good planning permit application will comprehensively address all of the planning permit requirements through a thorough written planning assessment, appropriate reports and plans, and early communication with Council.
Once lodged, it's important to maintain clear lines of communication with Council to ensure that any requests for further information, or potential roadblocks, are dealt with quickly and effectively. Article Three of our How to Subdivide Series will outline the application process in further detail.
Step Three: Planning Permit Applications
Unfortunately, a planning permit can never be guaranteed, but a good planning consultant can ensure that all of the right steps are taken to maximise the likelihood of a permit being issued.
If your application is successful and a planning permit is issued for your subdivision, you've likely added a great deal of value to your property already. The next step is to comply with all of the permit conditions.
Every permit will have a set of conditions that must be satisfied before the subdivision can be completed and new Titles issued. A good planning consultant can help coordinate and comply with these conditions quickly to ensure that the subdivision can proceed as efficiently as possible.
Article Four of this series will go into further detail about permit conditions and how to ensure that they are complied with. We’ll also release an Article addressing what to do if your application is unsuccessful.
Step Four: Works, Certification and Statement of Compliance
Alongside your planning consultant, a good surveyor will help manage your subdivision and ensure that the requirements of the Subdivision Act are met.
A surveyor will register the Plan of Subdivision with the Titles Office, and work with Council and the relevant authorities to get that plan Certified.
Typically once the Plan is certified, works commence. On completion of the civil works (think drainage, driveways, utility connections, and so on), a Statement of Compliance will be issued and then the new Titles can be created.
At District Consulting, we work with a team of trusted consultants including surveyors to ensure that these steps are managed efficiently so that the new Titles are issued as quickly and seamlessly as possible.
Step Five: New Titles Issued
Once all of the Planning Permit Conditions have been met, the Plan of Subdivision is Certified, works completed, and a Statement of Compliance issued, new Titles are created.
In simple terms, this means that the new blocks have their own Title and can be sold individually.
Looking to subdivide?
We’re experts in subdivisions and town planning. If you’re interested in knowing whether your property has subdivision potential, or want to make it happen, get in touch with us today - we’d be delighted to help.
Disclaimer
This article is general in nature and does not consider your specific circumstances or requirements. It is not intended to be relief upon in any way and does not constitute legal advice. You should always talk to a professional about your specific circumstances (we can help with that - just get in touch!).
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