All You Need To Know About Dual Occupancy Subdivision And Duplex House Designs

The concept behind dual occupancy homes dates back to the late 1920s, when urban planners realised that building denser neighbourhoods would help preserve the value of existing properties.

This led to the development of duplexes, triplexes, and eventually apartment buildings that could be converted into single-family dwellings later down the line. Today, dual occupancy homes are popular because they allow homeowners to live in one unit while renting out the other. They also provide increased residency in areas where space is limited.

While being a cost-effective and practical solution, dual occupancy (dualocc) and duplex house designs can be tricky to establish while allowing house owners to avail themselves of the best opportunities and potential of their land.

So, here’s everything you need to know about dual occupancy and duplex designs, from land size to construction and state regulations in Victoria.

Let’s begin!

What is dual occupancy?

Before we get into anything else, let’s get our definitions straight. Since there are many misconceptions about dual occupancy home designs, you need enough description to recognise one from its features.

Dual occupancy homes in Victoria are properties that have two homes on one block. A dual occupancy house can be a side-by-side townhouse, or they could be separate dwellings on the same property. A dual occupancy design is a great idea if you’re trying to maximise your investment, and there are several types if you’re looking to build one.

Types of dual occupancy

Dual occupancy is classified into two types; attached and detached.

An attached dwelling is connected to another dwelling and is not part of a larger house. A detached dwelling is connected to no other structure and is considered a separate building. These houses do not share common walls, so they are not considered a duplex or triplex.

In a dual occupancy, while both dwellings can be considered complete homes and the utilities can be divided among the homeowner and tenant, the land itself cannot be subdivided or hold separate titles.

Another type of dual occupancy is dual key homes. These are properties with a shared front entrance doorway and possibly an additional living area such as a living room. A property section is rented to another individual, hence the name ‘dual key’.

Then we have a duplex. While most people think of duplex designs as dual occupancy, there is a key difference between a dual occupancy house design and a duplex.

The key differences between a dual occupancy and a duplex

A duplex often resembles a dual-occupancy building, but the difference here is that even if the two households share a party wall, the houses are still legally classified as two residences, not one.

Therefore, the title for each property is filed separately, so they can be sold independently without any problems, which isn’t the case for a dual occupancy house. The subdivision laws for dual occupancy and duplex plans are the main difference between both types of dwellings.

How do you determine if building a dual occupancy/duplex is better for you?

Now that you already know the features and differences between a dual occupancy and a duplex, you must consider several factors before deciding if building two or three townhouses is suited for your land.

There are a lot of builders out there who market themselves as dual occupancy builders; while they mean they can build multiple dwellings on one lot; it is up to you to get the development approval. Why don’t they call themself duplex builders?

Because they cannot guarantee successful title subdivision, as the application needs to be done as the owner of the land, it is a common condition in some zones that only one dwelling is allowed on a lot; therefore, if you want additional residency on your lot, you will need to consider subdividing the title for a duplex or townhouse development.

The site falls within the correct zone

Certain developments are permitted in particular residential areas (e.g., inner city suburbs). However, they must conform to local planning rules and regulations.

For example, certain types of development, like a duplex or dual occupancy, may not be allowed within a particular zone. In addition, local authorities can interpret zoning plans differently. Therefore, it is important to understand the details of the relevant planning scheme before starting work.

Block dimensions and neighbourhood

We’re talking about the three dimensions of a building—frontage, height, and depth.

Frontage refers to the length of a building measured from sidewalk to sidewalk and includes any setbacks. Depth is the distance from the street to the roofline. Height refers to the vertical measurement from the bottom of the foundation wall to the top of the roof.

Block dimensions are important because they determine how much space you must work with to build a successful project. Another thing to notice before you buy land is whether you find similar dwellings in your neighbourhood.

This will help you determine if your property is in a suitable place to be developed as a duplex/dual occupancy. The plot dimensions are more likely to be suitable if there are similar housing properties around your land neighbourhood.

A more detailed study of context, zoning & council policy

Services and infrastructures such as easements, power lines, and trees are some examples of what may hinder the progress of a project. In some cases, they may even prevent the project from moving forward.

It would help to consider where all the essential streetside services are located and how they connect to your home. Finding one or more roadblocks could cost you tens of thousands of dollars in construction costs.

Dual living house plans are often based on whether your land is a corner block, middle block, or is eligible for a two-storey development. There’s a lot more to duplex house plans and dual occupancy plans before building one, so it’s better to consult the specialists before anything!

Benefits of building a Duplex, dual occupancy or multiple occupancies

Property building has always been a profitable investment. Still, if you can’t seem to handle buying several lands and dealing with them, dual occupancy house plans can bring you the benefits of owning an additional property while on the same land.

So here are some great benefits that compel all of us to choose dual occupancy over single dwellings:

1. Rental income

While you’re living in one part of the dwelling renting out the other can bring you a stable monthly side income. These can accumulate into major savings by the end of the year, and you won’t have to worry about paying a property management firm to keep your tenants in check because you’re close by.

If you have already bought the land for investment, making a single dwelling will give you less profit than building a dual occupancy or duplex. You can rent out both houses and double your earnings, or if you wish to sell, establishing a duplex will give you two houses to sell instead of one on the same land.

2. Better design opportunities

Building a dual occupancy or duplex gives you unique design opportunities to use your land in efficient and convenient settings. Whether it’s building side-by-side dual occupancy, a front-back design or 2-storey duplex designs, consulting an architect will help you design houses in limited space and sell them at a better price in the future.

Duplex prices and designs go hand-in-hand when it comes to real estate. The better it’s designed, the more it will cost. And a land fit for dual multiple occupancies allows you to design better and increase your profit, especially with duplex designs for corner blocks.

3. Permanent tenants

If your multiple occupancy dwelling is in an attractive location and within commuting distance of a city centre, you can tap into this profitable rental market segment.

A key feature of getting permanent tenants is that the client may be well-paid city workers, families, or students and will often be away at work for the whole day, meaning you get the whole house to yourself while getting the rent on time!

4. Increase in land value

Your land is increasing in value even as you read this. However, building a duplex will allow you to sell two properties of the same price instead of one in the future. This means your profit doubles effectively through the years and covers any investment you have made on a knockdown rebuild duplex or building one from scratch.

5.   Multi-generational living

You might live in one of the dwellings, and your extended family may live in another. Whether you have kids or grandparents, they benefit from having their own space in their home. This also means independence for your grown kids, or you still wish to keep them close to you after they move out.

Having them nearby means peace of mind, knowing that you can get to them in minutes if there is an urgent problem or something needed urgently. Being nearby also means security, knowing that your family is your closest neighbour, and you can count on them to have your back at all times.

How do you build a dual occupancy or duplex in Victoria?

Before you start building a dual occupancy or duplex in Victoria, the first step is to find out how suitable your land is for either of them and which type of development will benefit you in the long run. A duplex land size or the design differs from other types of dual occupancy you can build.

To avoid confusion, it is important to know the Victoria state subdivision regulations before starting the construction process. To ensure your project is planned with every stake in mind, we recommend leveraging a feasibility study from the experts in Victoria. This small cost in your planning can save you from an incredibly costly mistake.

Why contact SQM architects for your project

We have already walked you through the requirements you should look for before building a dual occupancy or duplex. However, the difference between knowing and implementation can be huge for an asset as big as land.

At SQM Architects, we ensure all planning and evaluation are done strictly based on official regulations and standards to help you make the most of your design project. You can expect the highest quality services based on:

Meeting council regulations

Local councils have different regulations about what can and cannot be built. We make sure that any plans comply with the regulations set down by the local authorities because no one knows Victoria’s housing regulations better than we do after years of being in business.

Fitting in and getting approved sooner

We ensure that the design conforms to the local area characteristics so the planning application would likely succeed in a shorter time. We also ensure the design fits in with the area’s style and architecture. Hence, the planning application is likely to be accepted quickly, and your dual occupancy/ duplex can meet council expectations.

Modern architectural designs

Designing is an integral part of the construction process; we consider the location and the needs of our customers. A building must meet the client’s functional requirements while considering the surrounding environment.

This involves selecting suitable materials, the correct layout and arrangement of these materials within the constructed space, and efficient installation.

Final word

Regarding pricing, dual occupancy is not necessarily a one-sized-fit solution. Each property is unique, local government planning laws may differ from place to place, and service delivery costs can vary significantly.

But overall, dual occupation properties can be an effective investment if undertaken correctly. And SQM’s experience can help get you on the right path. Contact the experts at SQM Architects and find out how well a dual occupancy works for you!