Heritage orders.

One of the most diabolical things that can happen to an innocent home owner is to have the local council slap a heritage order on that person's home.

Most people think that heritage orders only apply to buildings that are either a relic from our convict past or are uniquely designed and situated in an area that reflects our past history.

Not so ! Some councils have slapped such orders on very ordinary old fibro homes on the basis that they wish to preserve examples of 1950's architecture.

Unfortunately, once such an order is in place the home owner is prevented from any form of change. That owner is obliged to apply to council - and pay all relevant processing fees - to change the colour, replace the fence, add new windows, or carry out any sort of renovation to make the home more comfortable.

There is no compensation provided by the council. Full council rates still apply despite the resale price dropping because of the heritage order. In fact, the resale price of homes nearby not covered by the heritage order are also affected out of fear that a similar fate may befall them.

A home is usually the biggest asset any person may acquire in a lifetime and the placing of a heritage order not only curtails the value, but prevents the owner from making any improvements. It may in fact directly cost money because most such orders require the home to be maintained to a standard approved by council.

This is an unreasonable impost to put on home owners. If a property is worth preserving from a heritage point of view it should be mandatory for the council to purchase it at the current commercial valuation.

At least this would make councillors stop and think, rather than off-loading the costs and the inconvenience onto an ordinary citizen without providing any form of compensation.

It seems that the old adage that a persons " home is their castle " no longer applies !