Insights

Are GCBs a good investment? Five due-diligence questions

A current legal, planning, transaction and portfolio framework for GCB assessment.

Published 5 September 2022

Updated September 2026. Good Class Bungalow ownership is subject to strict legal, planning and approval requirements. Obtain current legal, tax and professional advice.

Five questions for a GCB assessment

  1. Eligibility: verify the Residential Property Act position and any SLA approval required for the buyer.
  2. Land and planning: check the title, site area, boundaries, access, zoning, conservation and development controls.
  3. Building condition: assess structure, services, drainage, trees and the cost of renovation or redevelopment.
  4. Transaction evidence: compare truly similar plots and account for frontage, shape, elevation, condition and micro-location.
  5. Portfolio fit: stress-test concentration, liquidity, duties, financing, holding cost and the intended ownership horizon.

Scarcity and named transactions do not establish a guaranteed return or inflation hedge. Use current official records and property-specific evidence for every decision.