Are you looking to make the most of your investment property? Maybe you have your eye on a property, and you’re contemplating if it’s worth the cost? Perhaps you’ve finally closed on the house of your dreams, but now you’re wondering what to do with your current dwelling? Well, subdividing might be the right choice for you.
So, what is property subdivision?
Property subdivision is splitting one large block of land into two or more plots. It’s often done on older, larger plots to modernise and generate more liveable space. As populations rise in cities, subdivision becomes far more common and even necessary.
Why should I consider subdividing my property?
There are a few good reasons to consider subdividing your property. For one, it dramatically increases the value of your land, sometimes even doubling what you can sell it for. It also makes it much more appealing to buyers, as smaller plots are far easier to generate interest in. Subdivision can be an excellent option for your property in either a solid or weak sellers’ market.
In addition to being a sound financial decision, subdivision can be a moral choice for your neighbourhood and city. Splitting a large plot of land into more easily manageable blocks will create more liveable space for residents or small businesses.
Here’s the three most common types of subdivisions in South Australia.
One of the most common types of subdivisions is Torrens Title. This is where your property will be split into two separate deeds under the same Torrens Title. It is by far the simplest form of subdivision, and in South Australia, it is likely to cover a domestic residence. The owner has complete land ownership with no common property. The only exception is the easements on your property, such as SA water having legal access to water and sewerage pipes.
The process becomes significantly more complicated if a property is registered under a Community Title or a Strata Community Title.
A surveyor plotting the subdivision of a Community Title sections out land and includes designated common property, such as driveways, carparks, or bin collection areas. A Community Corporation consists of the owners of the properties who insure the common land, and this type of subdivision is usually for townhouses or similar setups.
For a Strata Community Title, only the building on the land is included in the boundaries of the title. This is usually reserved for multilevel buildings or commercial properties, and the Community Corporation insures the building.
So, if you’re considering subdividing your property, here’s a few things to consider.
Subdividing can be a lengthy, expensive process that can easily become complicated and stressful. Which is why it’s essential to understand what you may be getting into.
Here’s a few things that you should be aware of:
- What land title is your plot registered under? It should align with your plans for your future divided properties.
- Are there any caveats on your property? If so, any person or organisation with a caveat on your property must co-sign the application to subdivide.
- What are the easements on your property? These will be considered during your application, so you should know how strict they are before applying.
- Where is the current housing market sitting now, and where will it be in the future? There is a significant cost involved in subdividing, so it’s vital to ensure you understand the property market.
- What is your council’s current standing is on subdividing properties? Sometimes a council will be interested in preserving the size of plots for one reason or another, so you should be aware of their intentions.
- Any heritage listings that may be impacted.
How do I have my subdivision application approved?
Because there are so many factors involved in subdividing land, it can be difficult to determine the pros and cons accurately. Which is why it’s always best to engage an experienced conveyancer to help answer your questions.
If you decide to go ahead with a subdivision, an experienced conveyancer will be invaluable. They’ll handle everything from sourcing information from your council and the titles office to engaging a surveyor and completing your application paperwork correctly, which means one less thing for you to have to worry about.
Who can I rely on to help me with my property subdivision in Adelaide?
At Beltana Conveyancing, we are experienced conveyancers in South Australia, who tailor our advice and service to meet your specific circumstances.
And so, if you’d like to have a chat with us about your next land subdivision project, we’d love to hear from you.
Because, with over 40 years of experience in the Adelaide property industry, we understand that every client and every project is unique, and ensuring we provide our clients with a smooth, simple land subdivision process is our number one priority.
