What is an owner-built property and am I an owner builder?

An owner-built property is a property that is either fully or partially built by the owner of the property itself. The owner does not have to be a registered builder to be an owner-builder. There are additional disclosure requirements applicable if you are an owner builder. Hence it is very important that you tell your conveyancing lawyer whether you have renovated or built any part of the property. You may be considered an owner builder even if you have engaged private contractors to do the work but have coordinated the build or renovation yourself.

If you are considered to be an owner builder, you will need to provide disclosure in a specific form to the buyer before they signed the contract. You should speak to your conveyancing lawyer before selling your property to have the correct disclosure drawn up. For further information on what it means to seller an owner-built property, refer to the Queensland Building and Construction Commission for further information: https://www.qbcc.qld.gov.au/buying-existing-home/buying-or-selling-owner-built-property