Principal place of residency

Hi KK,
Wow, what an interesting question. Now, upfront, I am not a lawyer or any kind of professional adviser (just so you know) but others on here are, and I hope they step in to assist you.

Meanwhile, I just wanted to give you the “reasonable man” argument and perhaps a few ideas that at least give you a nudge in a direction that may help.

First, I would think that there are some areas in which you can comply that will add weight to your assertion that this IS your home – e.g. the correspondence to you would still be providing evidence (unless you do it all by email, and even then there will be an address for your rates, water, etc). Your Drivers Licence would certainly have that address on it, yeah? And these I think would be key points in your assertion.

As you say, your lifestyle might well be different re utility usage, and there is no crime in that. Your penchant for DIY would have an effect too. The bit about having “no kitchen” might be something that others can comment on – I would think that if you are “in between” an old kitchen and a new one (yet to be installed) then there is no issue. But is there anything in the law that says “A PPOR is not valid if it is uninhabitable – and, does having no kitchen make it that way?”

By the way, I am hearing that some units these days DON’T have a kitchen – perhaps just a microwave – and they are built that way. Re not using lots of electricity – your lifestyle choices might mean you don’t cook that much at home anyway (even if you had a kitchen) and I don’t believe laws can compel you to do so – yet!!

Maybe something as simple as a Stat Dec (Statutory Declaration) made by yourself with the help of your solicitor, and backed up by some evidence (D/L, rates notice, electoral roll mail) might be all that is needed. It seems to me like you SHOULD be OK, even though some of these questions sound a bit alarming, and even “over the top”.

Good luck with it, KK

Benny