FAQ's
Q: Where do I get plans for the house?
The Building Advisory Services Branch holds copies of plans for most houses in the Greater Darwin area.
Access to Building files $5.00 per Lot number
A4 sheets $1.70 per sheet
A3 sheets $2.50 per sheet
A1 & A2 sheets $7.50 per sheet
AO sheet $9.50 per sheet
GST does not apply to photocopies.
Q: Do I need a building permit if I want to replace the roof on my house, shed etc?
Yes. You should contact a building certifier for advice.
Q: Who licenses people to remove asbestos?
NT Worksafe.
Q: How do I find out if my property is in a storm surge zone?
This information can be provided by the Northern Territory Emergency Service
Q: Who do I talk to about Pool Fencing?
The Pool Fencing Authority registers and provides inspections for all Pool Fences. They can be contacted toll free on 1300 301 059.
Q: Who do I contact with Asbestos enquiries?
The Asbestos Information Hotline number is 1800 019 115.
Q: How do I know if my house is safe in a cyclone?
Building Advisory Services has a fact sheet.
Q: Home Building Certification Fund (HBCF) Insurance – How / where do I get it from?
Contributions must be made to the HBCF Insurance Scheme for all residential building work prior to the issue of a Building Permit. Contributions must be made by the Builder on behalf of the owner and are based on the value of the building work. Contributions can be paid at any TIO Office.
Q: What information about Plumbing is held on the building file for my property? How can I get more information?
The Building Advisory Services Branch files only contains information about the drainage (sewerage) pipes on a given property. Water supply into a property is not held on the building file. Where the Building Advisory Services Branch has no information, PowerWater can supply information about sewerage easements and sewerage connection points.
Q: How do I get buildings on my property Certified, Where do I start?
The Building Advisory Services Branch can help with advice of the Status of Buildings on a property. A Building Certifier can also be engaged to provide this service. There are three types of buildings on properties…
No Building Approval – Contact a Building Certifier to issue building approval and a Occupancy Permit (or remove the Building).
Building approval but no Occupancy Permit. Contact the Certifier who issued the Building approval (for post 1993 permits) for advice on issue of a Occupancy Permit, or engage a Building Certifier to recommend a Occupancy Permit be issued (for pre 1993 permits).
Ex Government houses – The Building Advisory Services Branch may issue a Lawful Letter in certain cases where Building Approval or a Occupancy Permit does not exist.
Q: How do I get access to the building file?
Building Advisory Services has new file access procedures.
Q. How do I get access to a file if I am not the owner of the property?
Get the owner or owners’ agent to complete the “Access to Building File” form and present it to the Building Advisory Services Branch. The form is available from the Building Advisory Services Branch.
Q.Fencing – Who pays for what?
The Fencing Act is very specific about who pays for what with regard to erection of new fences or replacing of existing fences on property boundaries and procedures for handling disputes. The Fences Act is available on the NT Government website and is Common Law Legislation meaning any action is a civil action between two parties.
Q.Do rainwater tanks need building approval?
Depends on the height of the tank stand. A rainwater tank on the ground or on a 600mm (maximum) high stand does not need building approval. Any tank stand over 600mm high will need approval. The Department of Health and Community Services has guidelines regarding rainwater tanks on their website.
Q. What do I need to do to build a shed?
The Building Advisory Services Branch has a fact sheet regarding building sheds.
Q. Building Control Areas – What areas can I build in?
You can build anywhere in the Territory, but some properties fall within designated Building Control Areas. Within these areas you require building approval for any building works.
Q. Wet Areas (Bathroom renovations etc) – Do I need a Building Permit?
The Building Advisory Committee has produced a policy regarding renovations to Wet Areas as a guide when renovating Bathrooms, Toilets, Kitchens and Laundries.
Q. What type of building work needs Building Approval?
All building work requires building approval unless a specific exemption has been granted under the Building Act &/or Regulations. Penalties of up to $50,000 apply for performing building work without building approval.
Q. Where can I get a copy of the Title details and Survey Plan for my property?
The Lands Titles Office in Nichols Place (cnr Cavenagh Street and BennetT Street) can supply a copy of the Survey Plan and title details. They can be contacted on 8999 6520 for more details.
Q. How do I get a Building Permit for work I’m intending to do?
The Building Advisory Services Branch has a fact sheet regarding the building approval process.