Granny flats, or secondary dwellings, have been enjoying increased popularity in recent years due to rising property prices as well as the desire of most homeowners and investors to generate an additional income stream that would increase their cash flow.
Once the extra space in the property has been converted into a granny flat (in any of the countless available designs and configurations), who, exactly, would be the best people to actually utilise these dwellings?
As it turns out, there are a number of ideal residents or tenants for these living spaces.
The original intended: Granny (or Grandpa)
Being the primary beneficiaries that the flat is named for, elderly individuals are perhaps the most logical choices for granny flat occupants. Many Australians live with extended families in a single property, which most often pertains to elderly parents or relatives. They require assistance with routine tasks because their mobility or sense may have become impaired or less sharp, but at the same time, many of them still yearn to exercise a certain level of independence when it comes to their activities.
A granny flat, then, is the ideal solution; the self-contained dwelling, which has its own entrance and its own basic areas (bedrooms, kitchens, living and dining rooms, laundry areas, patios, etc.), allows the elderly to maintain their own space in their own terms. However, if they require assistance with certain activities, help from the rest of the family will be readily available next door.
From elder to younger: The owners’ children
It’s natural for older children to move out of the home to finish studies in a school that is farther away from home, for example, or to begin work in a different location. However, they may still be unable to demonstrate total financial independence while just starting out, so living in a granny flat can give them a taste of what it’s like to run your own household and mind your own needs, while waiting for their financial independence to take form.
Starting out: Young families
For young couples with a new baby or a toddler, staying on top of all their responsibilities can be a challenge. They have bills to pay, jobs to do, children to look after, and a home to maintain and pay for. Often, they will need two incomes, so they cannot stand guard of their children the whole time. A granny flat would be an excellent provision for a relative, like a grandparent, or a hired babysitter, to take charge of school runs or look after the kids on weekends and holidays.
Working from home: Freelancers
There are plenty of job opportunities today that enable people to complete all their tasks and projects on the computer instead of in an office. However, if these jobs require long hours, great concentration and a substantial amount of space, it can be difficult to build the space you need to work when you’re sharing a house with a big family. A granny flat would give freelancers a dedicated home office in which to complete their projects, throughout the day or even at odd hours, without disrupting the rest of the family’s routine, and vice versa.
Making a change: Home renovators
When you’re getting the main bathroom, the kitchen, or the living room fixed up or remodelled, the family will need to clear out of the house so that contractors can accomplish their job effectively. While moving to a different house or renting a place temporarily is a common option, having a granny flat within the property can be extremely helpful in providing extra space that the family can use while the rest of the house remains inaccessible.