Published on Thursday, 26 February 2026 at 1:34:29 PM
The City of Albany is urging residents to exercise caution when purchasing small, prefabricated homes online, following an increase in dwellings being delivered locally that do not comply with the National Construction Code.
The City supports and encourages innovative and affordable housing solutions that support the safety of residents, are structurally sound, fit for purpose and compliant with the National Construction Code.
The National Construction Code exists to protect residents by setting out the minimum standard for how buildings are designed and constructed for safety, accessibility, sustainability and durability.
Whilst many online prefabricated dwellings have the appeal of a low upfront cost, modern aesthetics and ease of construction, the City is sending a message to residents to be vigilant about compliance.
City of Albany Chief Executive Officer Andrew Sharpe said the City is seeing residents purchase structures that they expect will comply with the National Construction Code, but in many cases, they do not meet the required standards.
“We’re seeing residents purchase these structures expecting they can be used as work-from-home offices, art studios, granny flats or additional rooms for children,” Mr Sharpe said.
“However, many of these products are not compliant and cannot be approved for habitation, leaving some residents disappointed, frustrated and out of pocket.
“Residents are encouraged to seek reputable Australian manufacturers producing fully compliant prefabricated dwellings that offer safe, certified, and ready-to-use solutions for a variety of residential and ancillary purposes”.
If a dwelling is found to be non-compliant, the owner may be required to undertake significant upgrades which can include certification by a structural engineer, compliant roof and wall cladding, 7-star energy efficiency compliance, and potentially bushfire attack level readiness.
Plumbing, electrical systems, glazing, concrete, structural steel and timber components must all meet Australian Standards, along with an appropriate termite management system.
The City strongly encourage residents to research suppliers carefully and request proof of National Construction Code and Australian Standards compliance before purchasing.
Back to All News