Property investors and developers — add a rental dwelling to land you already own
A minor dwelling is one of the most direct ways to get more out of a property you already hold. We build self-contained homes in our yard and deliver them to sites throughout New Zealand, so you aren't tying up a section with months of on-site construction.
Why investors choose a factory-built minor dwelling
Fixed, transparent pricing
Three clear price options, all inc GST, so you know what the building costs before you commit.
Built under cover
Your dwelling is constructed in our yard, so the build is not stalled by weather on your section.
Faster to first tenancy
Factory construction runs in parallel with consent and site preparation instead of after it.
Less disruption on site
Existing tenants or occupants aren't living beside months of on-site construction.
One supplier
Design, build, delivery and site works handled through a single point of contact.
Repeatable for developments
The same design can be produced consistently across multiple units and delivered in stages.
What to check before you commit
These are the factors that decide whether a second dwelling works on a given property, and what it will realistically cost to get there.
District plan rules
Minor dwelling floor area limits, site coverage, setbacks and whether resource consent applies.
Access for delivery
Truck access to the property and room to position a crane over the placement point.
Services capacity
Whether existing power, water and wastewater can serve a second dwelling, or need upgrading.
Ground and foundations
Ground conditions determine the foundation type and a large part of the site-work cost.
Parking and outdoor space
Many councils require dedicated parking and private outdoor living area for a second dwelling.
Existing occupancy
How construction and delivery will be staged around anyone currently living on the property.
Designs suited to rental use
Compact, self-contained designs up to 100m² — the size range most commonly used for minor dwellings and additional rental units. Every design can be adjusted to suit your site.
Pricing options
From just the building to move in ready, we have a pricing option that suits. All prices are quoted inc GST. A site assessment turns these into a real, property-specific price.
Home price — ex factory
The completed building, priced at our yard. Inc GST.
Delivered to site
The home plus transport and craning onto your prepared foundations. Inc GST.
Turn key (excluding local services)
Delivered, set down and finished ready to move into. Inc GST.
How an investment dwelling comes together
- Step 1
Site assessment
We check district plan constraints, access, services and ground conditions.
- Step 2
Consent documentation
Plans and specifications prepared for your consent application.
- Step 3
Factory build
Your dwelling is constructed in our yard while site work progresses.
- Step 4
Transport
Delivered by truck and craned into position on your property.
- Step 5
Foundations & site works
Piles, connections and any required services work.
- Step 6
Handover
Final fit-off, ready to hand over to a property manager.
Once it's built — renting it out
We build the home; our sister company YLPM (Your Local Property Management) looks after the rental side. They handle rental appraisals, tenant selection and screening, Healthy Homes compliance, inspections and ongoing management for property owners across New Zealand.
For anything about what a property could rent for, or how a tenancy should be set up and managed, talk to YLPM directly — that's their area, not ours.
Visit YLPM for rental advice →Related guides
- Granny flats & minor dwellings → compact self-contained homes up to 70m².
- Tiny homes NZ → the smallest end of the range, and how consent works.
- Relocatable homes NZ → homes built to be moved again if your plans change.
- Build cost per square metre NZ → what per-sqm figures do and don't include.
Investors & developers: common questions
- Can I put a second dwelling on a property I already own?
- In many cases yes, but it depends on your council's district plan — minor dwelling rules cover things like maximum floor area, site coverage, setbacks, parking and outdoor living space. A site assessment tells you what applies to your property before you commit to a design.
- Do I need building consent for a rental minor dwelling?
- A self-contained dwelling will need building consent, and you may also need resource consent depending on your district plan. We supply the plans and specifications required for the application.
- How long until the home is ready to tenant?
- Because the home is built in our yard while site work happens in parallel, the build itself is not held up by weather or trade availability on your section. The overall timeframe depends on consent processing and the site works required, which we scope during the assessment.
- What is included in each price option?
- We quote three ways, all inc GST: home price ex factory (the completed building at our yard), delivered to site (including transport and craning onto prepared foundations), and turn key excluding local services (delivered, set down and finished ready to move into).
- Can you supply multiple units for a development?
- Yes. Building in a controlled yard environment suits repeat units, because the same design can be produced consistently and delivered in stages. Talk to us with your site details and unit numbers and we will scope it with you.
- Who manages the property once it is built?
- Our sister company YLPM (ylpm.co.nz) handles property management — rental appraisals, tenant selection, Healthy Homes compliance and ongoing management. They are the right people to talk to about anything on the rental side.
Will a second dwelling work on your property?
Tell us where the property is and we'll assess access, ground conditions and what the site works are likely to involve. Takes about two minutes.
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