Top 5 Estate Covenants to Be Aware Of

20th May 2024

Finance & Budgeting Pre-Construction

This article covers the top five estate covenants home buyers must know, including water connections, facade rules, roofing, and landscaping. Understanding these requirements helps avoid unexpected costs and ensures compliance when building in a new estate.

Top 5 Estate Covenants to Be Aware Of

When buying a block of land in a new estate, it’s crucial to understand estate covenants, also known as design guidelines or estate requirements. These covenants dictate specific rules that both buyers and builders must follow to ensure consistency in the estate’s appearance and quality. Ignoring them can lead to costly surprises later on. In this article, we’ll break down the top five estate covenants you need to be aware of, along with a bonus one that often catches buyers off guard.

1. Recycled Water Connection

Many new estates now require homes to connect to a Class A recycled water system. This is an environmentally friendly initiative that can be used for:

• Garden irrigation
• Toilet flushing
• Washing machines (in some estates)

Check the estate’s guidelines to confirm what connections are mandatory for your lot.

2. Facade and External Finishes

To maintain a high standard of street appeal, most estates require homes to include multiple materials on the facade. Common requirements include:

• A combination of brick, render, cladding, or timber finishes
• Restrictions on roller shutters and security screens on the front facade
• Special facade treatments for corner lots to enhance side-street appeal
• Brick infills above garage doors instead of plain cement sheeting

Builders generally design their facades to comply with these requirements, but additional upgrades may be needed for compliance.

3. Roofing Requirements

Many estates have specific roofing guidelines to maintain consistency. These can include:

• A mandatory roof pitch (e.g., 22.5 degrees, though some estates may require more)
• Restrictions on certain roof types, such as requiring flat-profile tiles
• Limitations on visible roof-mounted fixtures, such as evaporative cooling units and TV antennas
• Approved Colorbond or tiled roofing in specific colours to align with estate aesthetics

If you have a specific design in mind, check whether the estate permits it before finalizing your home selection.

4. Fencing and Landscaping

Estate covenants often control the type of fencing and landscaping to ensure uniformity. Common fencing requirements include:

• Timber paling fences (with or without capping)
• Colorbond fencing in approved colours
• Additional upgrades for corner lots, which homeowners must fully fund

Landscaping requirements may include:

• A mandatory list of plant species allowed for front yards
• The need for an approved landscape plan before commencing work
• Restrictions on driveway materials and sizes to prevent excessive concrete coverage

5. General Living Restrictions

Many estates enforce rules on how you can use your property to maintain a high-quality living environment. Common restrictions include:

• No parking of boats, caravans, or trailers in view of the street
• Bins must not be visible from the front of the house
• Lawn maintenance requirements to prevent overgrown gardens
• Prohibitions on certain pets (e.g., no cats allowed in some estates near wildlife reserves)

Non-compliance with these rules can lead to fines or penalties from the estate’s management body.

Bonus: Acoustic Requirements

If your block is near a highway, train line, or airport, you may need additional soundproofing. Acoustic requirements can include:

• Double-glazed windows
• Soundproof insulation
• Additional structural reinforcements to reduce noise levels

These requirements can add significant costs, so it’s vital to check whether your lot falls under an acoustic overlay before finalising your purchase.

Key Takeaways

• Estate covenants protect property values and ensure a uniform appearance across new developments.
• Recycled water connections, facade materials, roofing, fencing, and landscaping are among the most common covenants.
• Some estates enforce lifestyle restrictions such as pet bans, parking rules, and mandatory lawn maintenance.
• Acoustic requirements can significantly impact your build cost if your lot is near high-noise areas.

By understanding estate covenants before purchasing land, you can avoid unexpected costs and ensure your new home complies with all necessary guidelines.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

What happens if I don’t comply with estate covenants? Non-compliance can lead to fines, rejection of building approvals, or even legal action requiring you to make costly modifications.

Can I apply for an exemption from an estate covenant? In some cases, developers may approve minor variations, especially for unique architectural designs. It’s always best to consult the developer before finalizing your home’s design.

Do all estates have strict covenants? No, some estates have minimal requirements, while others enforce highly detailed design guidelines. Always review the estate’s design documents before purchasing land.

Listen to the Full Episode

For a more detailed discussion, listen to our full episode on estate covenants: Top 5 Estate Covenants to Be Aware Of

About the Home Building Hub Podcast

The Home Building Hub podcast, hosted by industry experts Colin Bischof and Darren Brennan, is Australia’s premier resource for new home buyers. With weekly episodes featuring special guests, the podcast provides objective, high-quality insights into the home building process - completely free and without sales pitches. From understanding financing options to navigating the complexities of building a new home, each episode is packed with actionable advice and tips.

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Disclaimer

Whilst we’re all about providing value to you, this article should not be considered as legal or financial advice. It contains general information only and is based on the content discussed during the podcast episode. This information is relevant to the episode’s release date and may not be applicable at the time of reading. Always seek independent professional advice tailored to your personal situation before making any legal or financial decisions.