Owner/Builder

What does it mean to be an owner-builder
An owner-builder is someone who takes on all responsibility for domestic building work carried out on their land.

As an owner-builder you would need to obtain building permits, supervise or undertake the building work, and ensure the work meets building regulations and standards.

In Victoria, an owner-builder can only build or renovate one house every three years, and must intend to live in the house once completed.

If you wish to be an owner-builder, and the value of the proposed building work is more than $16,000 (including labour costs and materials) you will need to apply for a certificate of consent.

Owner Builders (works of any value) must sign Council's Owner/builder declaration form.

For building works valued over $16,000 an owner-builder must obtain a Certificate of Consent from the Building Commission Practitioners Board in order to obtain a building permit.

It is recommended that ALL owner-builders read and understand information on their legal obligations and responsibilities outlined in the Building Commissions Owner-builder Application Kit and Information Statement brochure. A link to this brochure is below.

What is a Certificate of Consent?
A Certificate of Consent is issued by the Practitioners Board of the Victoiran Building Commission and is an individual's written approval to act as an owner-builder on their own land in the State of Victoria.

Requirements for selling your property
If you sell your owner-built home within six and a half years after the domestic building work has been completed (ie. from the date of issue of your occupancy permit or certificate of final inspection), you must:

• Obtain a defects report by a prescribed practitioner regarding the domestic building work. The report must not be older than six months and a copy must also be provided to the homebuyer
• Obtain owner-builder domestic building insurance covering the domestic building work and provide the homebuyer with a certificate of the insurance. Please note that the insurance may only come into effect if you die, disappear or are insolvent.

If you sell your owner-built home on or after six years, but within six and a half years of completion of building work, you need only provide a defects report.