What do I need to know before selling a home I built or renovated, including owner-builder work?

A sale of a home that has been built or renovated can involve approval, disclosure, warranty and insurance issues, and owner-built work can carry additional obligations. NSW and Queensland require particular warnings in specified circumstances, Western Australia can require home indemnity cover before a sale, and Victoria also has owner-builder sale requirements. The applicable dates and documents differ. Tell your conveyancer about all owner-built work, including later alterations, and provide permits, approvals, inspection records and insurance documents. Some notices must be given before a purchaser signs, so have your conveyancer check the property, work and dates before you advertise or sign. Do not assume hiring a licensed builder means there are no seller obligations, or that an unapproved structure can be dealt with simply by disclosing it. Also check insurance during the project, not just before sale; the NT fidelity fund scheme includes requirements for owner-builders of prescribed work.

Official sources:

• NSW Working as an owner-builder
• Queensland QBCC Act sections 46 and 47
• Victoria Building Act current version
• QBCC Sell an owner-builder property
• WA Owner-builder approval
• NT Fidelity fund certificate

General information only. Requirements vary by state or territory and change over time, so check the current rules for your location.