Occupation Certificate

While we were doing the PCI yesterday, the site supervisor again mentnioned how we might not get past council due to the large 'drop' on the front patio, and the drop on the laundry landing. The laundry landing,they had to fill as per the plans so I wasn't too concerned about that, but the front patio, Kel and I were against having steps there from the outset.. we really did not want this. Here is some images of the areas concerned..

Front Patio 

Laundry landing

As you can see, there is quite a drop for both areas.

Our SS had already booked a guy with a bobcat to come and fill around the laundry as per plans, and also to re-fill under the driveway as some had been taken away in the rains. I asked if he could fill the fornt to bring it up to the level of the porch slab so we would not require stairs.. he said he would try.

Anyway, council turned up before any of this work had taken place, and failed the inspection with the items:

• Provide balustrade and stairs to laundry landing
• provide suitable steps to front entrance.
•  complete retaining walls

Retaining walls we always knew we had to do, but the other two items failed the inspection. I went and had a look after work and the work was completed, so I was a bit concerned as to where to go from here, so sent the builder a quick email.

After worrying about it overnight, the builder got back to me... The council inspector must of re-inspected after the first failure, and has now issued the interim occupancy certificate! It is an interim as we need to do retaining walls after handover and the retaining is the only item outstanding on the interim! So looks like the earth works have satisfied council and we no longer need steps at the front, laundry or balustrade!

So now, the pics after the earthworks.. still a lot of landscaping to do, but there is clearly a difference!

Front porch area. We plan to fill the entire front yard and retain at the boundary so the yard is flatter

front yard/porch

Another angle of front porch

Laundry landing

Laundry landing

Laundry landing

Laundry landing/Alfresco. Looks much flatter!

So now, no hold up with the bank(as they wanted an OC) and we should be on track for handover on the 10th June, and moving in over the week and hopefully fully moved in by the 24th June!