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Have
you noticed headings like these in the property section of your
local newspaper lately: “Full of character”, “Loads
of charm”, “Remembering Yesteryear”? Chances
are, these headlines are referring to an historic house, an
elderly terrace or a charming cottage. They may even refer to a
heritage-listed property. There is growing evidence to support the
view that heritage listing has a positive impact on property
values, and real estate advertisements are starting to reflect
this.
The
main reason why people purchase heritage buildings is because they
like them. And they like them for all sorts of reasons. It may be
because of their character, or well established gardens. They may
have wonderful settings or pose the challenge of renovation, which
so many people relish.
Owning
a heritage-listed property brings other advantages:
Heritage listing
provides certainty for owners, neighbours and intending
purchasers. This is important when people are looking for a
particular environment within which to live and work. It explains
why certain suburbs, towns, villages and rural properties are
sought after.
Protection of an item
also requires the local council to consider the effect of any
proposed development in the area surrounding heritage items or
conservation areas. This is positive as it ensures an appropriate
context for heritage items.
It confirms a
heritage status that is a source of pride for many people. This
status can be very useful for commercial operators in their
advertising.
The assessment
process leading to listing often unearths new information on the
history and style of the item.
Through flexibility
clauses in local environmental plans, owners of heritage items
can request councils to agree to land use changes, site coverage
and car parking bonuses unavailable to other owners.
Listing gives owners
access to the free heritage advisory services provided by many
councils. Currently 103 councils in the state have such services.
Listing provides
potential savings through special heritage valuations and
concessions. If the property is listed in a Local or Regional
Environmental Plan (individually or in a conservation area) you
can request a “heritage restricted valuation” for
land tax and local rate purposes from the Valuer-General. If your
property is on the State Heritage Register under the Heritage
Act, you automatically receive a heritage valuation for both
local rates and land tax purposes. Heritage restricted valuations
are designed to ensure that valuations of property are made on an
existing development basis rather than on any presumption of
future development.
Listing enables
access to heritage grants and loans through both the NSW Heritage
Office and local councils. Listing is generally a requirement for
NSW Heritage Office funding.
Listing on the State
Heritage Register also enables owners to enter into heritage
agreements, which can attract land tax, stamp duty and local rate
concessions.
Listing on the State
Heritage Register makes the property eligible for consideration
under the Commonwealth's Annual Cultural Heritage Grants Program,
which is open to both private owners and community groups.
Heritage listing
enhances applications to other bodies where the building or site
might be eligible for funding.
Debunking
the myths about heritage listing
It
can be easy to point the finger at heritage listing when problems
arise, but the benefits can far outweigh any perceived negatives.
Listing places no
legal restriction on the sale or leasing of properties.
Heritage buildings
are best cared for when they are lived in and loved. This means
they must be useable. Houses may need new bathrooms and kitchens;
commercial buildings may need new services and fire protection.
Listing does not
exclude changes or additions or new buildings on the site
provided that these do not detract from the heritage significance
of the listed items. This is consistent with what most owners
want for their heritage properties. It is also consistent with
advice from real estate agents that well looked after heritage
properties are the easiest to sell and bring the highest prices.
Listing does not
exclude the adaptive reuse of a heritage item for another use.
Sometimes this is a sensible way of ensuring the use of a
heritage item. For example, the conversion of a warehouse to
residential use or the adaptation of a house to offices.
Other than normal
maintenance it is not expected that owners take any special care
of a heritage property. Only in situations where an owner is
deliberately allowing a property to deteriorate would prosecution
action be pursued.
Maintenance of
heritage items and gardens does not require formal approval.
Some owners open
their heritage properties to the public on a regular or
occasional basis and usually on an entry fee basis either for
themselves or charity. However, as with all private property,
heritage listing does not allow the general public the right to
visit your property without your express permission.
How
to find out if a property is heritage-listed:
In
NSW there are two types of statutory heritage listing. A property
is a heritage item if it is:
listed in the
heritage schedule to the local council’s Local
Environmental Plan (LEP);
listed on the State
Heritage Register, a register of places and items of particular
importance to the people of NSW.
There
are also many non-statutory heritage lists, such as the National
Trust Register and the Royal Australian Institute of Architects’
Register of 20th Century Buildings. Although these registers do
not provide legal protection, they help to alert the community to
the potential heritage value of places.
To
find out if a property is heritage-listed, go to Heritage
Listings page
on the Heritage Office homepage Alternatively, you can check with
your local council to find out if a property is identified in the
Local Environmental Plan.
The
National
Trust
maintains on its website a list of heritage properties available
for purchase.
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