How listing affects you
Is your house heritage-listed and are you unsure about how listing affects you? Being in the Queensland Heritage Register does not necessarily impinge upon your lifestyle. It's a way of protecting your property and acknowledging its cultural heritage value. If your property is listed, you don't have to open it to the public. And listing doesn't mean you can't make changes to your property. You can undertake work providing it's sympathetic to the house's original fabric. Owning a heritage-listed property is rewarding. Direct and indirect benefits could be available to you.
Public access and ownership
Unless otherwise stated by the owner, places entered in the Queensland Heritage Register are not open to the public. A place entered in the Register remains the sole property of the owner.
Making changes
If your house is entered in the Queensland Heritage Register and you want to change it, you must apply to the Queensland Heritage Council. You don't have to apply to carry out maintenance, minor repairs, or emergency repairs. There's more to learn about changing your property.
Direct economic benefits
If you own a heritage-listed property, you might be able to reduce your maintenance and repair bills. Work on your heritage property can reduce your tax bill in a number of ways.
Tax deductions
You can claim for maintenance work to any part of a heritage building or premises that is used to produce an assessable income. This includes restoring a building without changing its character.
Depreciation
If you're making improvements to a heritage property that produces income, you might be eligible to claim for depreciation. To qualify, improvements must directly relate to your income-producing activities.
Rates and land tax relief
If you own a heritage property that is entered on the Queensland Heritage Register, you should enquire if your local government offers reduced rates.
Indirect economic benefits
The department offers advice that can help you save money. The Agency's Cultural Heritage Unit offers heritage place owners the following free services:
- information on the history of heritage properties
- a Heritage Information Kit
- information on building conservation and renovation
Your property might increase in value if it's placed on the Heritage Register. Heritage listings are a way of confirming a place's heritage value and community status.
Last updated: 13 November 2009