A legacy of beautiful homes

Victoria's rich history has left a legacy of beautiful homes.  These range from impressive mansions to lace-fronted terraces and even former workers' cottages. Most are in Melbourne's inner suburbs, but regional centres such as Bendigo and Ballarat also have their share of historic homes.

Preserving this history for future generations and maintaining historic streetscapes means some of these homes have heritage protections.  This is either through the Victorian Heritage Register, which lists places of state significance, or because of a heritage overlay, a local council responsibility.

Because these protections impose restrictions on homeowners it is vital to know whether they apply to a home you may buy.  While this will usually be included in the Section 32 document provided by the vendor, it is also useful to make checks yourself or through your conveyancer or solicitor. This is especially important at present, with many period homes selling for well over $1million.

One way of checking whether your home is heritage listed is to contact the National Trust. It’s important to note that this listing does not mean a home must stay in its original condition forever.  Heritage Victoria says that if such homes are to have a future they need to be attractive and comfortable and that more than 95 cent of permit applications for works on such properties are granted.

But a strict system of permits does apply to alterations. These include building extensions, interior works, changing colour schemes and garden structures such as fences, decks, pathways and driveways.
Local heritage protection is also offered to individual homes, and streetscapes, of local significance.  These are listed on a schedule to the local council's heritage overlay and are protected under its planning scheme.  Councils issue planning permits for their development.

Such an overlay is not a reason to avoid buying a home – many such properties have been renovated to create impressive contemporary living spaces, despite a heritage overlay.

But it is important to know about these restrictions so you know what you're buying. They may include demolishing or constructing a building (including a fence), painting a building and doing exterior work.  It's also worth noting that sometimes the heritage overlay doesn't apply to all of the home, but to part of it.

Many of those who have bought Victoria's listed buildings or homes covered by a heritage overlay are delighted to live in such beautiful and historic properties.  But it is important for owners – and for those planning to buy an original home – to be fully informed and plan accordingly.  Buying a property, and planning renovations, needs to be done in an informed way. As with any property purchase, research is the key.