Dual Occupancy

A dual occupancy is a term given to describe two dwellings on one lot of land. Dual occupancy developments provide significant benefits to the developer and/or investor through achieving the highest and best use of their chosen location, resulting in equity gains, increased rental, and greater flexibility. Typically, a dual occupancy takes one of the following forms:

Side-by-side attached

These dual occupancies share a roof, and can be configured on a traditional building lot where access is gained from one street frontage. At Macquarie Knight, we endeavour to make these dwelling look like one single house, thus taking away any potential stigma associated to the development resembling a duplex in any way.

Side-by-side detached

These dual occupancies resemble two seperate houses constructed next to each other, with seperate entrance points. Each dwelling is designed with its own unique look and feel, and they are configured on a traditional building lot where access is gained from one street frontage.

Corner detached

Positioned on a corner lot resembling two separate houses, with each dwelling facing its own street. These lots are typically more difficult to source. At Macquarie Knight, we endeavour to ensure each of these dwellings take on a different façade type and look. This enables each property to look independent and not part of an overall development.

Benefits for investors

Developing a dual occupancy has a number of substantial benefits for investors over developing a single dwelling on one lot. When a developer chooses to construct two dwellings on the one lot (i.e. a dual occupancy), they have the option of leaving two dwellings on one title, or subdividing and creating two titles which creates a substantial equity uplift. By creating a new lot, our clients are able to create two new houses and sell them individually. This can result in an equity gain of typically $80,000 to $200,000.

By subdividing, the developer has created two (2) titles and thus has the flexibility option of keeping both, selling one/keeping one, or selling both, depending on the developers motivations. This flexibility is something unique to multiple dwelling construction. Overall, dual occupancy development provides significant benefits to the developer/investor through achieving the highest and best use of their chosen location, resulting in equity gains, increased rental, and greater flexibility.

Check out some of our beautiful dual occupancy builds…