Divide and conquer

Several choices have to be made when building a home, but none are more important than location.

With urban infill the holy grail for Western Australia’s building industry in recent years, a short supply of metropolitan blocks has presented somewhat of a conundrum, though not one without a solution.

For many, the strong desire to live close to the Perth CBD is evident, and this is still possible with homes built on subdivided rear strata lots.

There are a wealth of benefits for all parties when it comes to utilising rear strata lots, according to Residential Building WA Design Manager Kristan Bailey.

“For new homebuilders, rear strata lots create a unique opportunity to build in sought-after suburbs at a much more budget-friendly price point,” he said.

“On the other hand, existing homeowners can subdivide their block and either sell to a developer for a profit, or become a mum and dad investor and build a second home on the new rear strata block to rent out and create an extra income stream.

“This is a benefit to owners of larger blocks who are looking to capitalise on development opportunities for wealth creation.”

Mr Bailey said there was a range of benefits beyond monetary advantages, with rear strata blocks offering increased privacy and a sense of security as they are set back from the street.

“Rear strata lots generally have longer driveway spaces than a street-front block, and owners may wish to include increased security in this area,” he said.

“You could also make use of a remote-controlled gate to create a secure, private outdoor area.”

However, like any homebuilding process, there can be challenges when it comes to building at the back.

Mr Bailey said each strata lot came with its own unique challenges and R-code conditions. Elements to consider include restricted site access and solar orientation, which could be eliminated during the design process.

Maximising on rear strata lot liveability, Residential Building WA recently added to a range of two-storey home designs which feature expansive internal areas without taking away from outdoor space.

“We’ve just released two new homes in the Rear Strata Collection, with each carefully designed to deliver the best living on a rear block,” Mr Bailey said.

By building up, The Harrington and The Dorian reap all the benefits of being a house behind a house.

A Hamptons-inspired four-bedroom, two-bathroom design, The Harrington provides privacy upstairs and a social hub below, while The Dorian is a coastal oasis with plenty of outdoor entertaining space.

Contact: Residential Building Wa, 9202 9202.

This article was originally published in The West Australian and can be viewed here.

Enjoyed this article? Click here to read The Origins And Opportunities Of Rear Strata Lot Designs.