Side by Side Subdivision
Rear Lot or Battle Axe blocks as they are commonly known, are methods of subdivision used more so for two-lot subdivision designs. There are typically two ways these lots can be created, and we will explain the first here which is Survey Strata Battle Axe.
The name Battle Axe is due to the shape of the block including the access leg which ends up looking like a traditional axe with a handle. The person who owns the rear lot has exclusive use of this access leg "unless" there is a "Right of Carriageway" easement to the benefit of the front lot which would allow them to reverse out onto the access leg and then exit in a forward gear on to the road.
There are three things to consider when looking at a Battle Axe Subdivision:
1. Effective Area
The area you can build on minus (-) the access leg. This is the buildable area of the block from a liveability point of view. It generally starts at the truncation or bend in the fence. People can get mentally tricked when buying lots like this. They see a 450m² block, but do not realise that 55m² of that area is possibly on the access leg. This means that they really have only 395m² to build on and a large driveway that has little or no use except for vehicle traffic.
2. Access Leg Area
This is the area of the vehicle access leg up until the bend in the fence, more commonly known as the "Truncation".
3. Total Area
The combined area of the access leg and the effective area that can be built on. These combined areas are what make your lot valuable, as you will be selling by the m² and the average buyer only focuses on the total area when making a purchase of the land you may be selling.
Pros of Survey Strata Subdivision with Battle Axe
Each lot is completely independent of the other
No strata meetings required
No strata/common property insurance
Driveways can go down to 3m if existing house to remain (not all Areas)
Preferred type of Subdivision
Potential to earn more per m² than selling with common property subdivision
No Common Property
Cons of Survey Strata Subdivision with Battle Axe
Having to live behind another house with no street frontage
May have to allow front lot to use your driveway depending on title requirements
Loss of land in driveway access minimising your actual build area on the back
Potentially difficult vehicular access, especially with a 3m wide driveway.
Zenith Surveyings Subdivision Perth service is geared towards educating our clients throughout the process so they can understand the benefits of doing Rear Lot Subivision.
