Granny flat 101: What are granny flats?

Many homeowners who want extra living space on their property opt to have granny flats built. If you’re not familiar with them, here are the things you need to know about these tiny yet practical structures.

What is a granny flat?

A granny flat is an additional residential structure that can be attached to or detached from the main house. Stand-alone granny flats are generally more cost-efficient and are usually located in the backyard.

Granny flats are smaller in size as compared to the main house — their maximum size is 60 m2. Although limited in space, they have enough room for the essentials: a kitchen, a bedroom, a bathroom, living and dining areas, and a laundry area.

Why build a granny flat?

Homeowners can use this small house for different purposes:

• As a secondary dwelling

Do you want to take care of your elderly parents while still giving them independence? Let them live in your granny's flat. Meanwhile, some homeowners give the space to their adult kids or their newlywed son or daughter until they find their own place.

• As a home office

Building granny flats doesn’t always mean building a second home on your property. You can have it designed and constructed as a home office. With this setup, you can do away with renting an expensive office space elsewhere.

• As a leisure space

You can turn your granny flat into a hobby area where you can store your craft supply, collections, and other materials, make music, and do your passions. There, you can spend your free time doing what you love without cluttering your home.

• As a rental property

Your granny flat can also help you generate extra income. If you don’t plan to use it for anything, you can rent it out.

Can granny flats be custom-built?

Of course! You can have yours designed any way you want. You can even have it built to match the exterior of your house. If you’re planning to customise your granny flat, it’s best to talk to professional designers and builders. Feel free to check ServiceSeeking.com.au’s list of top granny flat builders.