One block,
two incomes.
A dual income property is a single lot earning two rents, or one rent plus your own home. In WA the simplest version is a main house plus a granny flat on the same title. Since 2020 the ancillary dwelling can be rented to anyone, so both halves of the block earn. This is illustrative general information, not advice.
Last updated June 2026. Rent figures are illustrative and exclude land and running costs. Not financial advice.
Dual income on a WA block takes three common shapes: rent both dwellings, live in one and rent the other, or add a granny flat to a home you already own. Each spreads vacancy risk and lifts the blended return on a single title.
- Rent both. Build a main home and a granny flat and let each separately. Two leases on one title means one vacant dwelling does not stop all income.
- Live in one, rent the other. Owner-occupy the main home and rent the granny flat to offset your mortgage, with one block and one set of rates.
- Add to an existing home. Already own in a Perth corridor? Add an ancillary dwelling to the backyard and turn idle land into a second income.
As an illustration, a Baldivis block with a main home and a Haven granny flat could earn $430 a week from the granny flat and $560 from the home, a combined $990 a week or $51,480 a year. The granny flat itself costs $238,268 to build plus siteworks, land excluded.
| Dwelling | Indicative rent/week | Annual rent |
|---|---|---|
| Main home | $560 | $29,120 |
| Haven granny flat | $430 | $22,360 |
| Combined, one block | $990 | $51,480 |
The granny flat is the part that lifts the return, because it adds rent for a modest build cost on land you already own. See the build figure in the cost guide and the yield maths in the rental yield page.
A granny flat is a separate self contained dwelling on the same title, so the two tenancies are independent and you can live in one. A dual-key home splits a single building into two lockable tenancies under one roof. Both deliver dual income, with different trade-offs.
| Feature | Granny flat | Dual-key home |
|---|---|---|
| Structure | Two separate dwellings, one title | One building, two lockable tenancies |
| Privacy between tenants | High, fully separate | Lower, shared structure |
| Best for | Adding to land you already own | A single new build designed for two |
| WA rentable rule | Up to 70m2 ancillary, rentable to anyone | Governed by the dwelling type, not the ancillary rule |
| Live in one | Easy, separate dwelling | Possible, shared building |
For most Perth owners adding to a block they already hold, the granny flat is the cleaner route. The WA ancillary dwelling rules set out exactly what you can build and rent.
All 8 granny flat designs that can sit beside a main home for dual income. Build time is around 8 months. Open any design for full specs and a per suburb price.
This is general information only and does not take into account your objectives, financial situation or needs. It is not credit assistance or a credit quote. Consider whether it is right for you and seek advice. Finance is arranged through Central Lending Solutions, the licensed credit partner The Property Plug works with (Australian Credit Licence or credit representative number [TBC]).
The rent and income figures here are illustrative general information. They are not a forecast, a valuation, or financial or credit advice, and they exclude land and running costs. Confirm achievable rent with a local property manager and your own numbers with a licensed adviser before you commit.
What is a dual income property?
A dual income property is a single lot that earns two rents, or one rent plus your own home. The most common form in WA is a main house plus a granny flat (ancillary dwelling) on the same title, each let separately.
Is a granny flat the best way to get dual income?
For many WA owners, yes. Since 2020 an ancillary dwelling up to 70m2 can be rented to anyone, and adding one to a block you already own keeps the extra cost low, from $217,500 to build. That makes a granny flat the simplest path to two incomes on one title.
Granny flat versus dual-key home for dual income?
A granny flat is a separate self contained dwelling, so the two tenancies are fully independent and you can live in one. A dual-key home splits one building into two lockable tenancies under a single roof. Both produce dual income. The granny flat suits adding to existing land.
Can I live in one and rent the other?
Yes. A common setup is to owner-occupy the main home and rent the granny flat, using the rent to offset your mortgage, with one block, one set of rates and a single title.
Build a dual income block in Perth
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