Decks, pergolas and garage conversions: unpermitted additions in Tarneit resales
How to tell whether a Tarneit home's additions had a building permit, and what it means for your purchase.
In short: Ask Wyndham City for a building permit search before you buy. Unpermitted decks, pergolas and garage conversions are common in Tarneit and can become your problem after settlement.
What needs a permit
In Victoria most decks over 800 mm, pergolas over 20 square metres, garage conversions to habitable rooms and granny flats need a building permit.
How we spot it
Different materials and workmanship from the original build, no smoke alarm or insulation in a converted garage, decks with no bracing or undersized posts.
What to do
Request a Property Information Certificate and a building permit search from Wyndham City. If work is unpermitted, negotiate, ask the vendor to regularise it, or walk away.
Why it matters
An unpermitted structure can be ordered removed, may not be insured, and can be a problem when you sell.
Written by the Owner Inspections team from inspections carried out in Tarneit. Licensed building practitioners, Building & Plumbing Commission registration CDB-U 53425.
