Originally posted by John the builder
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Regarding the garage conversion, I've realised that I don't have to call this new room a bedroom. All of the works that were completed fall under Schedule 1, Part 1: Exempted building work that can be completed by anyone.
- Adding floor to ceiling window with sliding door is covered under item 8. Windows and exterior doorways in existing dwellings and outbuildings.
- Adding insulation is covered under item 13. Thermal insulation.
- Adding a ground moisture barrier is covered under item 13A. Ground moisture barrier.
- Installing carpet and gib board is covered under item 12. Internal linings and finishes in existing dwelling.
That being said, if I tried to ask Council to officially record the room as a bedroom, I would likely meet resistance by way of their "conversion from non-habitable to habitable space" argument (i.e. how do we know that this new bedroom meets Building Code requirements?). So I think it is best to avoid calling the room a bedroom and just call it a rumpus room. This would also be the term used when we sell, that way potential buyers are not trying to look to see if there was council consent for a 4th bedroom. The marketing material would say 3 bedrooms plus rumpus room.
So we've determined that council consent was not needed to convert the internal access garage to a rumpus room. The question I have now is, is it still important to update the property file to show this work, by way of a Schedule 1 report (add a record of exempt building work to a property file)? Council has this to say about the process:
"To create an accurate record of improvements and renovations, you can include exempt building work on a property file. This is helpful if you wish to sell a property.
Complete the 'Record of exempt building work' form below and submit it to us, including drawings of what has been built or renovated. This keeps property records up-to-date and identifies all on-site work.
Drawings must be suitable for scanning and accurately portray the work. Do not use any previously stamped plans."
How detailed do the drawings need to be? Should they be done by a draughtsman? I'll probably need to check if the current owner has any such drawings. Would you agree that submitting a Schedule 1 report showing a rumpus room where the garage used to be is less risky than submitting a Schedule 1 report showing a bedroom where the garage used to be?
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