10 questions to ask before buying a heritage business firm

Close up of heritage home

Miranda Tay

Posted April 29, 2021

Heritage properties have timeless appeal, simply at that place are rules and restrictions that might surprise you. Hither is what you need to know.

Fancy yourself living in a m sometime Victorian or an elegant art deco? Heritage homes are much sought after in Victoria, simply with their timeless dazzler comes great responsibility. Owners are bailiwick to a range of restrictions on what they can and can't do, particularly when it comes to altering or renovating. Here's what you need to know about owning a heritage holding.

ten questions to ask before buying a heritage property

When does an old home become a heritage property?

Put but, a heritage property has celebrated, artful or social features that have been assessed to be worth preserving for generations to come. While people tend to think of grand 19th-century edifices, homes from the 1970s or fifty-fifty later may also be considered to have heritage value.

In Victoria, viii standard criteria are used to make up one's mind if a home has heritage value, including: historical significance, rarity, research value, aesthetic value, technological value and social value, says Geoff Austin, registrations manager for Heritage Victoria. A property'south heritage status can cover not just the chief dwelling, but as well out-buildings, gardens or surrounds, and even the site the home sits on.

What does heritage listing hateful?

In that location are two chief types of heritage protection in Victoria. About 700 private dwellings are considered to have historic significance at a state level and are protected past the Victorian Heritage Act 2017. These and then-called heritage-listed backdrop are included on the Victorian Heritage Register, and no piece of work can be carried out, inside or out, without a allow (or let exemption) from Heritage Victoria.

What is a heritage overlay?

A further 300,000 or and so properties – almost 8 per cent of all properties in Victoria – are considered historically meaning to the local community or municipality, and are protected by a heritage overlay administered by the local quango or shire. Some of these properties are classified as pregnant in their own right, others are deemed "contributory" considering, although not individually "meaning", they contribute to the overall grapheme of a heritage precinct. Some "non-contributory" properties may also be included in an overlay purely because of their location inside a heritage precinct.

Regardless of their status, properties covered by a heritage overlay commonly demand a planning allow from the council for any changes that are obvious from the street, such as sabotage, relocation or construction of buildings, external alterations and exterior painting. As a rule, permits are not required for full general maintenance and repairs, internal alterations, and repainting using the aforementioned colours.

Are there any other heritage controls?

Some areas close to places of Indigenous cultural significance, such as certain named waterways, are subject to cultural heritage sensitivity controls. Affected areas include Port Melbourne and Middle Park where home owners may be required to implement a Cultural Heritage Management Plan before conducting any development works or major changes.

How can I find out if a property is covered by a heritage overlay?

An piece of cake way to bank check if a property is covered by a heritage overlay or other planning controls is through RACV partner Landchecker, an online hub that provides comprehensive data on hundreds of thousands of backdrop around Victoria and NSW.

What obligations are required of a heritage abode owner?

Anyone who owns a heritage-listed belongings is legally obliged to maintain it and ensure it does not fall into busted. Failure to do so may event in Heritage Victoria issuing a repair gild, and heavy penalties apply if the required repairs are not carried out. Rules nigh maintaing properties protected by a heritage overlay will depend upon the particular local council, but many municipalities have local laws regarding unsightly or uncared for buildings.

You can just renovate a heritage-listed property if you accept permission from Heritage Victoria. Photograph: Lisa Luscombe

A heritage overlay normally controls modifications just to the external parts of a building. Photo: Lisa Luscombe

Can I renovate a heritage-listed property?

Contrary to pop misconception, information technology is possible to renovate or brand changes to a heritage-listed belongings, as long every bit y'all have permission from Heritage Victoria. In most cases the heritage protection applies to the entire holding, including land and buildings, then you'll need a permit if y'all want to remove trees, demolish out-buildings or move a argue. Heritage Victoria recommends contacting them every bit early as possible when planning a renovation, not but to talk over what is and isn't permissible, but also to seek technical advice from their heritage architects and other experts. In some cases, you may receive a permit exemption, so yous won't demand to apply for a full permit.

Heritage Victoria'southward Geoff Austin says permission will usually exist granted for bathroom and kitchen renovations, as long as care and attention is given to whatever original features such as ornate tiling.

What nigh renovating a home with a heritage overlay?

While heritage-listing mostly covers state and buildings, a heritage overlay normally controls modifications just to the external parts of a building - although in some instances permits are required for internal changes besides. Routine maintenance to the exterior is usually permitted, but Will Leaf says any work that changes the dwelling house's appearance, fifty-fifty paining the home a unlike colour, will generally crave a planning permit to ensure it does not impact the streetscape.

"In some instances you may also need a permit even for smaller alternations such as demolishing a carport or pergola, constructing a contend, external painting, or adding a water tank. This often takes homeowners by surprise," he says.

Daniel Xuerub, of DX Architects, which specialises in contemporary and heritage properties, says Interior renovations such as a new bathroom or kitchen, will generally be permitted, providing they don't affect the exterior. "But if the house is classified as pregnant then blessing may demand to exist sought from council."  He recommends speaking direct to your local quango's planning department well before calling in the tradies.

And when planning your renovation project, don't forget to cistron in extra time – and coin - to allow for permit approval, this tin take upwards to 12 months, says Volition Leaf.

What if I don't become the necessary permits?

Hefty penalties utilise for any breaches of local heritage rules. In more astringent cases, the local quango may consequence an infringement observe or a 'stop piece of work' order, or even escalate a breach to the courts. Failure to comply can incur fines as high as $193,428.

The penalties are fifty-fifty higher at land heritage level. For example, conducting works on a heritage-listed property without approving may result in a fine of upwards to $793,056, or imprisonment for five years, or both.

Cheque out fees and penalties on Heritage Victoria'south site.

Are heritage homes a expert investment?

While owning and maintaining a heritage home does crave extra care and attention, and in some cases extra cost, Geoff Austin says well-kept properties with celebrated graphic symbol are much sought afterward and often attract a premium price.

"Heritage overlay areas, for example, oftentimes have an identified character that makes them highly valued, sought after and in demand."