There are a large number of homes throughout the Brisbane area that are steeped in history, many of which can be more than a century old. For those who live in a home they believe could be heritage-listed, they can apply for a listing with the Brisbane City Council. However, before jumping at the chance to do so, it's important to remember that the homes that end up on the heritage registry can also come with far more restrictions than an unlisted/ineligible home.

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Heritage homes

A Brisbane home can end up being heritage-listed for a number of different reasons. One can relate to the architecture/structure of the home. For example, perhaps your home is built in a traditional Queenslander style from the early 1900s. Another reason for a heritage listing could be if an important figure lived in the home (e.g. a former Queensland premier or a Brisbane local from the past who played a significant role in the shaping of the city). Sometimes, a heritage listing can be in relation to a specific room or section of a home, rather than the entirety of the home itself.

All of the above reasons can affect what you can and cannot do with your home. If your home is heritage-listed due to both its exterior and interior design, then this is often one of the most restrictive. Say you want to paint your home, for example - you may only be allowed to repaint it in colours that match the home's original paint colours.

If it's a particular room in your home that has been the cause for it being placed on the heritage register, you may be able to make changes to various parts of the house besides that room. In the event that a home is heritage-listed due to someone who once lived there, the number of changes you make could be far greater (but that's by no means a guarantee you'd be in the clear). A heritage listing isn't just about ensuring a home or building can never be demolished - it's also about retaining a certain degree of its history.

A home's heritage could be in its colours, in its structure, in its former residents, in iconic rooms that once served a purpose in a home that no longer apply (e.g. servants quarters), and so on. It could be a combination of these or just one of them. And why a home is deemed as 'heritage' can heavily dictate what freedoms you have in terms of changing it.

Do you prefer history or change?

Ultimately, whether or not you apply to have your home heritage-listed or are considering buying a home you know is on the heritage list comes down to one simple fact. Do you prefer the idea of living in a piece of history or do you prefer a home that you can renovate and change as you see fit? If it's the former, then perhaps a heritage home will suit you just fine.

If it's the latter, however, then we'd strongly suggest avoiding any heritage-listed homes unless you know the one you'd like to move into does actually permit plenty of changes. As with most other purchasing decisions in life, what you go with all comes down to your own preference. There are plenty of people who love the appeal of an old home and hate the more modern box-style homes that are out there. But, all the same, there are plenty of people who feel the exact opposite.

SEE ALSO: 5 iconic buildings that are part of Brisbane's heritage