Most Australian homeowners have been taught that there are two things you can do with backyard land: use it, or sell it. If the council won't let you subdivide and sell — which is the case for the majority of metro properties — the conversation usually ends there.
The land sits idle. It pays council rates. It grows grass. And its value stays locked up.
The 99-year land lease model changes that calculation entirely.
Under the Buy My Backyard model:
You receive one payment. There are no ongoing payments to you — and no ongoing obligations either. You're not managing a tenancy, chasing rent or arranging repairs. You keep your home and your title, and the money is yours outright.
This is the question that matters most — and the honest answer is that it depends on the property. The offer reflects:
We don't publish a standard figure because one wouldn't be accurate for your backyard. The free assessment tells you whether you qualify and, if you do, what we'll pay.
Some homeowners who can subdivide assume selling the rear of their block is automatically the better outcome. It's worth examining that assumption.
Option A: Subdivide and sell Subdivision typically involves surveying, council approval, separate service connections, legal costs and agent fees, along with possible capital gains tax. It can take a long time, isn't permitted on many lots, and permanently reduces the size of your property. Once the land is sold, it's gone.
Option B: Lease the land to Buy My Backyard No subdivision and no sale. You receive a lump sum for a 99-year lease over the agreed portion, you pay nothing towards design, approvals or construction, and you remain the registered owner of your whole property throughout.
Which suits you depends on your goals, your lot and your local planning rules. But for the many homeowners who can't subdivide — or don't want to give up their land permanently — a lump-sum lease offers a way to unlock value from the backyard without selling it.
What makes the model straightforward for homeowners is the formal lease structure.
A 99-year land lease is a long-term legal agreement over a defined portion of your land, registered on your title. It sets out the rights and obligations of both parties for the full term. Because we fund, build, own and manage the dwelling for that term, the day-to-day responsibilities sit with us — not with you.
There's still a dwelling and a tenancy to look after — someone needs to find tenants, collect rent, ensure lease compliance and handle maintenance. Under our model, that's all Buy My Backyard's responsibility for the life of the lease. You don't need to engage a property manager, and you carry no vacancy or maintenance risk.
A lump-sum payment for granting a long-term lease may have tax consequences, which can include capital gains tax considerations depending on your circumstances. Because you don't receive rent under this model, the usual rental deductions don't apply to you in the same way they would to a landlord.
The tax position varies significantly by individual circumstance. A registered tax agent or accountant should be consulted before proceeding.
The free property assessment is the starting point. We assess your specific property — lot size, backyard configuration, access and council zone — and tell you whether it qualifies. If it does, we'll tell you what we'll pay for the lease.
No cost. No commitment. Response within 48 hours.
This article provides general information only and does not constitute legal, tax or financial advice. Any offer depends on the individual property and assessment. Seek independent advice before entering a long-term lease.
Free property assessment. 48-hour response. No cost, no commitment.
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