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Minimum Building Requirements

Established property requirements

These minimum building requirements apply to properties where a Keystart loan is for the construction of a home. They also apply to off-the-plan properties. Our building property requirements are minimum standards.

If you're looking for requirements for an established home, see link below.

Established property requirements

Registration on interest

If you're interested in joining our established builder's list, you can register here.

Minimum building requirements

We reserve the right to change these requirements at any time. Property and contractual documentation need to reference these requirements.

Important notes

  • All builders and building contractors must be registered with the Builders' Registration Board and maintain current building indemnity insurance. Proof of building indemnity insurance is required prior to the provision of the first progress payment under the building contract.
  • The Minimum Building Requirements must be included in the building contract for the construction of a new home and cannot, at any time, be removed or varied.
  • Requirements for allocated car spacing/and or driveways in regional areas where this is not as common, including modular housing types, do not need to be in the building contract. Should the property valuation be impacted due to these exclusions, we may need the customer to organise for these requirements to be met.
  • The final progress payment under the building contract will not be effected unless and until the Minimum Building requirements have been completed and satisfied.

Car park and access

  • An allocated car space needs to be available.
  • The property must have a driveway from the crossover to car space adjacent to the house in a suitable material.

Services

  • Water needs to be metered to the boundary or in regional areas where water metered to the boundary is not available, evidence that adequate rainwater tanks have been installed.
  • The property needs to utilise single-phase electricity.
  • There must be stormwater drains in place, as required by the relevant local authority.
  • Sewerage connected, as required by the Western Australian Water Corporation or a septic tank or leach drain that is compliant with local authority requirements.

Kitchen, bathroom and laundry

The property must have

  • a designated space for a laundry with power and water connection. In the case of an apartment purchase, a communal laundry is acceptable,
  • a fully functioning kitchen, and 
  • a fully functioning bathroom and toilet.

Finishing

  • Ceilings and frames must be adequately painted.
  • All wet areas must be tiled/waterproofed or sealed.
  • External areas that reasonably require painting must be painted,
  • Suitable floor coverings are required throughout the property.
  • Adequate lighting throughout the property (for example downlights or bayonets). Junction boxes are not an acceptable substitute for light fittings.

Other

  • If a retaining wall is required, the cost of the retaining wall must be included in the building cost and the retaining wall must be complete before the final progress payment.
  • The property must have a boundary fence using suitable materials.
  • Owner-builder homes will not be considered.

Building contract documentation

  • A full copy of the signed building contract including all annexures.
  • Costing schedule including:
    • the base price of the home,
    • site costs,
    • any itemised variations,
    • any reimbursements,
    • details of the property,
    • a maximum of five progress payments and in the case of a modular housing type we accept a maximum of four progress payments, and
    • complete plans, specifications and addendums signed by you and the builder.

Any structural variations to the building contract price must be approved by us.