What works need to be completed for the Occupancy Permit?

Basically, all works need to be completed to call for an occupancy permit inspection.  As an absolute minimum, the following needs to be completed:

• Full electrical fit off
• Full plumbing fit off including the installation of all tapware and sinks/basins.
• All wet areas sealed and tiling completed.
• All shower screens installed.
• All stairs completed, including external access steps and non-slip coating applied.
• All flashings and infills around windows (building water tight).
• All BAL works as noted on the plans.
• All weather and door sills installed.
• All retaining walls completed and backfilled.

Once the above has been completed, we can undertake an occupancy inspection and advise of any outstanding items via a written direction to fix.

What certificates are needed to issue the occupancy permit?

The attached application form for occupancy permit nominates the minimum level of certificates that are required to issue the occupancy permit.

Should any certificates, such as plumbing or electrical, not be available for any reason the works will need to be tested and certified by a person with the required level of knowledge and qualification to certify the works.

I intend to complete the works as owner builder, what are the implications?

To undertake works as an owner builder you assume responsibility for the works. We’ve attached a copy of the Victorian Building Authority’s Owner Builder Information Guide, as well as a link to their website which contains all of the information you’ll need to consider in regards to this process: https://www.vba.vic.gov.au/owner-builders

The following are some important considerations before becoming an owner builder:

• An owner-builder is someone who takes responsibility for domestic building work carried out on their own land. It comes with certain risks and legal requirements. For instance, your property may become a workplace under Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) law. This means you will have obligations such as ensuring the site is safe for workers.
• Some of the obligations of an owner-builder last for several years after completion of the building work. For example, if you sell your home within six and a half years after you finish the work, you will need to engage an independent registered building practitioner to provide a defects report to the buyer and purchase domestic building insurance for the work you carried out.
• As an owner-builder, you will need to enter into a major domestic building contract when you use a registered building practitioner to do work on your project costing more than $10,000 (unless a single trade exemption applies).
• Some builders or tradespeople may ask you to apply for an owner-builder certificate of consent so that you appear as an owner-builder on the building permit, even though they will be doing all the work. If you do this, it may put you at risk. The person may be unregistered or trying to avoid their legal responsibilities. You are not an owner-builder if you intend to engage one tradesperson to do all the building work.

What the fees for a permit amendment?

The permit amendment fees will be dependent on the stage of works completed and inspections that still need to be completed.

The following is an indication of the permit amendment fees, excluding outgoings and GST:

Permit amendment:                             $900 to $1,300 (dependant on stage of works completed, size of dwelling and any plan/design amendment)

Additional Inspections:                       $250 to $350 per inspection

Application for Occupancy Permit:    $200

Can DJM do our defects report.

No we not able to do a defects report. 

You will need to engage a consultant to complete a defects report.  We make no recommendations on consultants, however, we are aware that BSS Group complete many of these inspections and may be able to be of assistance

Is the building permit still live?

Yes, your building permit is still valid and in place.

We wish to proceed with another builder, what do we need to do?

The attached application form will need to be completed to nominate the new builder along with the building surveyor appointment form, both are attached.  Your new builder will need to provide a copy of the relevant insurance certificate and the contract.

How long does a permit amendment take?

We should be able to process all permit amendments for a change of builder within 3-5 business days.  If you are amending the design the time to assess the variation will be dependent upon the extent of the proposed changes.

How do we apply?

Once you have appointed a new builder and signed the contract, complete the attached application form and RBS form.

Send both forms, signed contract and relevant insurance certificate to prelim@djmbc.com.au.

Our new builder wants to change the plans or other documents, what do we need to do?

If there are minor changes, you can submit the new documents and we can assess them in place of the previously accepted Porter Davis documents.  If there is a significant change in design, a new building permit may be required.

We wish to proceed as an owner builder, what do we need to do?

If you wish to proceed as an owner builder, you will need to complete a new application form (attached).  You will need to apply to the Victorian Building Authority for an Owner Builder Certificate of Consent to enable us to issue your permit.

Can we use another building surveyor?

Yes, you can appoint another building surveyor to issue a new building permit.  However, you will need to end our appointment via the Victorian Building Authority prior to appointing another building surveyor.  Please visit the VBA website for further information.

Can I cancel the building permit?

Yes, you can cancel the permit application.  However, you will need to cancel the application with the VBA before we can cancel the application.  Please visit the VBA website for further information.

We are receiving numerous questions in relation to the insurance claim process and/or applications with the liquidator.  Please direct insurance questions to the VMIA.  Liquidator questions, including what “bucket” you are in, need to be directed to Grant Thornton. 

Please note that Porter Davis incorporated performance solutions in their permit applications.  We are not able to include these performance solutions to the amended permit, they were specific to Porter Davis.  Should your new builder wish to incorporate any performance solutions we will require details of the performance solution along with a design brief.  We are happy to assist in administration of this process. 

2022 has presented the industry with as many challenges, if not more, than the full lockdown years of 2020 and 2021.  Issues with supply chains, labor shortage and increasing prices among them.  DJM has been able to support the industry and have held off on fee increases for the entirety of the pandemic and beyond.

We are fully aware of the challenges 2023 may present.  Potentially these challenges may be greater than any we have seen over the past three years.  In realisation of this, DJM will continue to live to our trademark of united and supportive.  Our trademark has defined what we have been able to achieve during the past three years.  Our ability to provide a continuous and uninterrupted service during this period gives us confidence to not just maintain our standards, but to improve on our trademark.  Support during 2023 will be imperative to our industry, we will do our very best to facilitate a streamlined process.

We will continue to strive to increase our verbal connection.  We are not the kind of business that provides automated email responses full of information you are already aware of.  We see these automated responses as an insult to human connection and intelligence.  So, if you have a problem or a concern, please call us.

The above statement does not mean that we will not be undertaking significant developments on our infrastructure.  2023 will see our permit program expand and access to online information improve significantly. 

We believe we have a good understanding of what 2023 will bring for the industry; we are up for the challenge!

Congratulations Haider

We are proud to announce that Haider Rana has obtained the required experience to become registered as a building inspector.  As a result of his hard work and commitment, Haider will remain in the Tech services team.  Haider will complement our growing tech squad with his personable nature, willingness to help and sound practical experience.

DJM Reward & Recognition Program

Like all businesses, we at DJM have a reward and recognition program. Ours is done twice yearly in Spring and Autumn.  It is known as the Golden Brick…. Yes brick!

Our Autumn winner was Danny Eid, who is a member of our Tech Team.  Danny is a most deserving winner of the Golden Brick; anyone who has spoken to Danny will know him to be an affable and friendly guy who is always willing to help.  Danny has proven to take initiative and will always go the extra mile.

What makes the Golden Brick so unique in our eyes is that this recognition is not determined by management, it is voted upon by all the DJM team members for the person who best lives our trademark and non-negotiable behaviors. 

Well done Danny. 

A draft for consultation of the new Small Lot Housing Code (SLHC) has been released.  The purpose of the project is to introduce a new Small Lot Housing Code (SLHC) typology. The new Type-C standards will seek to facilitate a more diverse range of housing typology on lots between 75-150 square metres. The Type-A and B standards may be further reviewed as part of the project.

The key changes within this draft are as follows:

• Amended Standards for Type A & B
  • Many changes to definitions
  • Removal of maximum street setback
  • Introduction of requiring a side light/viewing panel to the entry of the dwelling
  • Allowance for balconies to occupy 100% of the frontage
  • Removal of the length difference for simultaneous walls on boundaries
  • Screening for habitable windows would only apply when overlooking adjoining SLHC lot living room window.

• Introduction of Type C Standards
  • Totally new section introducing Type C for dwellings on lots between 60m² – 150m²

The existing Small Lot Housing Code, 2019, is proposed to be retained in the planning scheme until 2026 to enable a transition period.  Some of the amendments to Type A & B will be implemented upon gazettal such as maximum street setbacks and simultaneous boundary walls.

We will keep you updated on any further changes closer to the time of introduction of the new code once it has been finalised.

DJM’s inspector and surveyor training program is widely acknowledged as one of the best in the industry.  What is not as well-known is our long-standing commitment to supporting and promoting Women in Building Surveying. 

DJM’s journey in this space began back in 2010 when we were lucky enough to appoint our first female Building Inspector, Ania Rozpara.  Ania worked with DJM for just over four years before heading back to a council role to enable her to gain additional experience so that she could achieve her goal of Building Inspector – Unlimited.  Ania then re-joined DJM for a further four years as a Building Inspector and assisted in the implementation of DJM’s inspection training program.  

The next success story came when Bre Cross joined DJM in 2012 as an administrative officer. After eighteen months in the role, Bre decided that she wanted to undertake studies to become a Building Inspector & Surveyor.  After receiving her inspector’s registration in 2018, Bre spent four years as an Inspector and Inspection Services Manager and has just recently moved back into the office as Technical Services Manager. Bre has recently been appointed as a Director with DJM, further enhancing this success story. 

Courtney Cross (yes, Bre and Courtney are related) joined DJM in 2016.  Courtney followed Bre’s path; starting in administration, completing her studies and joined the Tech Team.  Courtney has just recently obtained registration as a Building Surveyor; we are proud of the part we played in assisting Courtney in obtaining registration on her first attempt. Not one to settle or slow down, Courtney has moved to a council role to widen her experience in the industry. 

The latest addition to our team is Nataljia Petrovic.  Nat will complete her studies this year.  With her work ethic and passion for the role we are certain that Nat will successfully follow in Ania, Bre and Courtney’s footsteps and obtain registration in the very near future. 

We’re extremely proud to have helped and continue to help pave the way for women in the industry in the future. Although Ania and Courtney are no longer here, we’re thankful for the contribution they both made to the fabric of DJM, and we’re excited that they’re a driving force for women across the industry.