Data collected by BMT Tax Depreciation indicates that in the 2016-2017 financial year there was a 22% growth in the number of schedules requested for granny flats nationwide.
BMT believe the increase in depreciation schedule requests for granny flats is an indicator that investors are looking for affordable alternatives given recent increases in median house and unit prices, particularly in the capital cities. It could also be due to the fact that investors are trying to increase the rental yields they can earn.
“The Australian property market has recently experienced a period of strong capital growth. However, this has been offset for many investors by a fall in the indicative yield of their portfolios,” Mr Beer said.
“This has led many investors to consider creative means to boost their portfolio’s yield, such as the addition of a granny flat which can be constructed for around $121,000 and rented at a rate achieving around a 15% yield annually,”
“This is far higher than the rental yield typically achievable on a house or unit in Australia, making granny flats an interesting investment proposition,” Mr Beer said.
Research data from Flatmates.com.au shows that there was a 16% increase in granny flats being listed on the site during 2016, while searches for granny flat accommodation increased by 84% during the last quarter of 2016 alone.
Rules & Regulations
Mr Beer warns investors to do their research so they are fully aware of the rules and restrictions set by local councils and state governments before deciding to build a granny flat for rental purposes.
“Each area provides regulations regarding the minimum land size and maximum plot size required for granny flats or secondary dwellings,” he said.
“In some states and specific council areas there are rules which mean that investors are not able to rent their granny flats for income producing purposes,”
Depreciation Deductions
For those who rent out granny flats it is also important to seek advice from a specialist Quantity Surveyor to discover what depreciation deductions they can claim.
“There are significant depreciation deductions available on these types of properties, which investors might not be aware of,” said Mr Beer.
“The average first year depreciation deduction on a granny flat is $5,288, while over five years these deductions can add up to around $23,713,” concluded Mr Beer.
Property investors should also be aware of proposed changes to the depreciation of plant and equipment assets announced in the recent federal budget.
* Under new legislation outlined in the Treasury Laws Amendment (Housing Tax Integrity) Bill 2017 passed by Parliament on 15th November 2017, investors who exchange contracts on a second-hand residential property after 7:30pm on 9th May 2017 will no longer be able to claim depreciation on previously used plant and equipment assets. Investors can claim deductions on plant and equipment assets they purchase and directly incur the expense for. Investors who purchased prior to this date and those who purchase a brand-new property will still be able to claim depreciation as they were previously.
There have been no changes to the rules around claiming capital works deductions for the building structure.
If you’re considering an addition to your property, learn more about the Frequently Asked Questions by Renovators.
Presented by BMT Tax Depreciation
Bradley Beer (B. Con. Mgt, AAIQS, MRICS, AVAA) is the Chief Executive Officer of BMT Tax Depreciation. Bradley joined BMT in 1998 and as such he has substantial knowledge about property investment supported by expertise in property depreciation and the construction industry. Bradley is a regular keynote speaker and presenter covering depreciation services on television, radio, at conferences and exhibitions Australia-wide. Please contact 1300 728 726 or visit www.bmtqs.com.au.
