Navigating Covenants, Easements, and Connected Services: What You Need to Know When Purchasing Land
Choosing the location of your block of land is only the beginning of the journey. Once you have a general idea of where you want to build, it's crucial to consider the specific details of the property. This includes assessing the presence of covenants, easements, and connected services, which can significantly impact your building choices and costs. In this post, we will provide an overview of what you need to know about covenants, easements, and connected services when purchasing land.
Covenants: Understanding Your Land's Restrictions
A covenant is a legal condition that imposes duties or restrictions on the use of that land, regardless of the owner. It can define various aspects of building, including building heights, fencing types, and materials used. Many estates have general covenants that apply universally to Residential 1 zoning. Simultaneously, some estates have more significant covenants or restrictions that can surprise the buyer when they go to build. It's essential to know which covenants apply to your land to avoid any complications or unwanted limitations during the building process.
Easements: What You Need To Know
Easements are common on most properties and typically run along the property boundary. This means that when planning to build a home, it's important to consider the positioning of your home to avoid the easement area. Usually, people prefer to have only one side of their home adjacent to the boundary of their block, so this is not usually a major issue.
An easement is a section of your land that another party may need access to in the future. This could involve local authorities like the council or utility service providers such as electricity, water, and sewerage services. While the need for access to the easement is very rare, especially with the availability of alternative technologies, it's crucial to keep this portion of land clear unless you obtain a 'build over permit.' This permit allows you to construct over the easement but requires approval and compliance with specific regulations. The process can be relatively straightforward, depending on your specific requirements.
If you're unsure how an easement will impact your building plans, it's advisable to consult a land specialist for guidance.
Connected Services: Are You Fully Serviced?
Connected services include electricity, water, sewerage, telephone and NBN. While most residential estates are fully serviced, rural or rural-residential areas may not be. In this case, the buyer must cover the connection cost for these essential services. Getting quotes to install these services before purchasing land ensures you can account for these costs in your budget.
It's also essential to ask about service connections early on to avoid surprises or delays in construction.
Conclusion:
When purchasing land, it's crucial to conduct your own homework on your site-specific details. Failure to account for covenants, easements, and connected services can lead to complications and unwanted limitations during the building process. By understanding these factors, you can prepare a comprehensive plan, budget accordingly, and streamline your building experience.
