Govt plans to ease restrictions on granny flats up to 60sqm

It will soon become easier for New Zealanders to build granny flats, under proposals being considered by the Government.

The Government said it wants to increase the supply of affordable homes – and, therefore, has proposed making it easier to build small, self-contained and detached houses (i.e. granny flats) on properties that already contain a home.

Potentially, homeowners would be allowed to build granny flats up to 60 square metres in size without needing a building or resource consent, as long as they meet certain criteria.

The Government is seeking feedback, with submissions closing on 12 August.

High housing costs are “harming” New Zealand

RMA Reform Minister Chris Bishop said the public was hungry for common-sense changes that would make it simpler and cheaper to build homes.

“We know there is an urgent need to bring down the cost of housing. Given renters spend 40% of their income on housing it shouldn’t be controversial to state the obvious: housing is too expensive in New Zealand. This is holding us back and harming our economy,” he said.

“The Government is resolutely focused on increasing housing supply to bring down costs and recently announced a package of reforms, including changes to the Building Act and the resource consent system to allow granny flats to be built without a consent.”

Building and Construction Minister Chris Penk said these granny flat reforms were a quick win that would unlock opportunities for growth and flexible living.

“Our population is ageing, and the number of small families is also on the rise. There is more demand for smaller homes to cater for our changing population and families need more housing options to support their lifestyles,” he said.

“We have had resoundingly positive feedback from the public, and from builders who see the proposal as a sensible step in the right direction for increasing the supply of affordable housing.”