Hi Everyone –
I started looking for a property that my husband and I can remodel. We were hoping to finish 1 every 2 years to take advantage of the primary residence CGT exemption. I did some research and found out that as an owner-builder, I must take an owner builder course (no problem) to get a certificate to build. Problem is, it appears as though we can only get one every 5 years??
I got this information from the OFT website (see below).
How do people get ‘around’ this or factor this into their reno plans? (besides of obvious answer of start a project every 5 years…)
Any insight is greatly appreciated.
Rachelle
You really only need to get an OB licence if you are actually building, doing anything that requires a DA, there are certain things that council allows you to do without needing a DA, this varies between council, if you are just looking at renovating, such as new bathroom, kitchen, painting, tiling, etc, you dont require the OB licence.
A 'new' bathroom would need a DA, a refurb would not. There is a cap as to the value of the work that can be performed before you need to have an OB licence – so watch that.
Having an OB licence you can do one place and your +1 can do another, at least this gives you a 2.5 year gap not 5 years.
Thanks for the words of wisdom.
Just got off the phone with the OFT. Their explanation was clear as mud… surprising.
Take some message: check with the counsel before I go to work. Which means: check with the counsel before I buy, which means talk to 3 different people at counsel before I get the right answer so I can consider a neighborhood in which to buy a potential reno. NIGHTMARE!!
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