Council approval for Bathroom renovation

patthecat on 11/02/2015 - 14:06
Last edited 11/02/2015 - 14:29

Hello

I am just wondering if we need council approval for a Bathroom reno? We live in a small town in northern NSW. We have had a few quotes, the last builder I asked if we would need council approval and he said 'no don't bother'. I didn't think to ask the others that came round.

We will be doing more than just changing the vanity and tiles, it will involve knocking down a wall (non supporting wall) and making the current large bathroom and laundry into an ensuite, family bath and much smaller laundry.

I understand it adds quite a cost onto the reno, we are trying to save money by doing some of the work ourselves or family doing it so I don't want to get council involved unnecessarily but need to the right thing in case we sell in the future.

Thanks

Home & Garden

Comments

  • sempro on 11/02/2015 - 14:39

    can you check your local city council website for more infomation?

    I dont know about your local council area, but for my local council area, there is a wealth of infomation… failing that a quick phone call can't hurt :)

  • advalsol on 11/02/2015 - 17:33

    I think you should seek local area council approval before renovating because it is fine going ahead without council approval for small internal modifications.

    But then If in future you want to sell your property ,council records are checked through the settlement process so its better to seek council approval first because at that time the council records should match the building standards

  • NancyCat on 11/02/2015 - 18:38

    My Council (Port Phillip in Victoria) once told us "you can do whatever you want INSIDE the house without any permit from the Council".

  • chumlee on 11/02/2015 - 18:44

    I'm in Vic and generally speaking any internal changes don't need approval, only external or extensions

  • patthecat on 11/02/2015 - 20:04

    Thanks for the replies, I have already been to see council regarding building a new internal wall and changing an external window and the first member of staff said we would need approval and then a second member said no rules have changed and we wouldn't. It was all very vague and almost seemed they weren't sure either, abut when I asked about future bathroom reno they said definitely need approval for that.

    So I think council will say I need approval and we will probably sell in the next five years so best thing to do would be to tick all the boxes which I am guestimating will cost $1000. The other thing was my father who is a plumber overseas was going to come over and do all the plumbing but he is not Australian registered so I don't think he will be able to do it now as council will need it all signed off.

    • NancyCat on 11/02/2015 - 20:25

      I would imagine your reno involve an external window, that's why it needs a permit from the Council.
      Building surveyor certify construction/reno, not the Council. (Althought Councils have their own building surveyors, you don't have to use them).

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