I quite often get asked how to check the DA of a cafe, so this quick post gives an idea of how you can do this.
When selling your cafe, it is quite likely that the buyer will ask to see a copy of the DA for the business.
If you do not have this to hand, it’s a good idea to request a copy as soon as you can, as the process can take up to four weeks.
Most council websites will, however, give you the ability to check the current DA details online.
In the example below, which is on the Sutherland Shire Council website, the DA tracker allows you to search back as far as 2006 to obtain immediate results.
In this case, if the DA of the business was granted prior to 2006, you would need to fill out what is called a GIPA (government information public access) application form. Many councils suggest that this can take up to 28 days, so the earlier you can get the application in, the better.
You might find when checking the DA that the hours that you currently operate are considerably less than those allowed, and this can be a good selling point showing buyers that they may be able to open earlier in the morning or later into the evening.
