There are varying council restrictions on tiny homes across the country. Picture: Kevin Farmer
Tiny homes have recently been touted as the ultimate solution to the housing crisis, however they may not be a viable option for everyone. Here are some of the most important things to consider if you are thinking about building or buying a tiny home.
WHAT IS A TINY HOME?
It seems that tiny homes, by definition, are complicated. Quite literally. There are tiny homes on wheels, tiny homes on skids, tiny homes built on the ground – but not all of them are actually tiny homes, even if they are, well, tiny.
In fact, on its official site, the Australian Tiny House Association classifies a tiny house as “a dwelling of no more than 50 sqm built on a wheeled trailer base, constructed of domestic grade materials and finishes, that is capable of being permanently occupied.”
Permanently fixed smaller sized homes are technically not considered Tiny Homes. Picture: Boxabl
The association adds that a tiny house can’t be moved under its own power supply and is meant to look like a “conventional dwelling” in terms of design and construction.
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“ATHA’s definition of a tiny house does not relate to permanently fixed smaller sized homes on foundations,” the site states. “A house on fixed foundations, of any size, can be assessed under the National Construction Codes.”
Can you really live in a Tiny Home? Picture: Dean Martin
CAN YOU ACTUALLY LIVE IN ONE?
The ability to buy cheap land and construct a $150,000 tiny home is an appealing option for many, however, it might not be so simple.
“It is based on the local council,” says founder of Future Property Group David Cummins.
Rules vary significantly across states and between local council areas. Whether or not the property is on wheels (a true tiny home) or whether it’s a small fixed modular or prefab construction could determine whether you need planning approvals and whether it’s considered temporary accommodation.
Cummins says you should always check with your local council.
Renovation queen Cherie Barber says many local councils will only allow a tiny home to be parked on land where there is already an existing property – and even then, they may have issues with exactly where it is positioned and how long it stays there.
“You can’t just buy a block of land and put a tiny house on it,” she says. “You’ll find that most councils will have an issue with that.”
Renovation queen Cherie Barber.
Co-owner of KEEP Modular Clarissa Wikeepa says, in NSW, tiny homes are for temporary living only.
“You cannot live in a tiny home permanently,” she says. “They’re really only supposed to be for AirBnBs.”
WHO ARE THEY SUITABLE FOR?
Despite the lack of national cohesion around what is and isn’t allowed, there are plenty of benefits to tiny homes and their prefab or modular counterparts.
Cummins says the speed of construction is significantly better than that of traditional home building. The build process also generally results in less construction waste while the overall price is far cheaper.
Future Property Group founder and managing director David Cummins.
Usually ranging from about $70,000 to $180,000 to buy brand new, they could be ideal for younger couples, recently divorced people who are starting over financially and older kids living on their parents’ property, depending on council regulations, Barber says.
Whether or not they can be rented out on a long-term lease also depends on state and local council regulations.
Barber says tiny homes make great investments in the short stay accommodation market if you have scenic land with an existing property.
“People love them, and they do quite well on Airbnb,” she says.
Cherie Barber’s tiny home that she built for TV. Picture: Cherie Barber.
It’s an investment Sydney real estate agent Tina O’Connor from Ray White Annandale is currently investigating. She is looking to add a tiny home to an Airbnb beach house she owns in Queensland.
“I’d be able to almost double the return on that property,” she says. “The house would be returning a certain amount and this tiny home would be returning just a little bit less than the three bedroom house on the same lot.”
WHAT TO CONSIDER
It’s important to remember that tiny living is not for everyone, says Barber. One of the biggest challenges is finding the right site, keeping in mind you need access to electricity, plumbing and sewerage – unless you plan on living off-grid.
Barber says she wouldn’t build another Tiny Home. Picture: Cherie Barber.
“You can get tiny homes with compostable toilets, but that’s not a fun process to do every week or fortnight,” she says.
Tiny homes are also not ideal for families, she says.
“Going to an extremely small home where you’re living in literally a glorified caravan, that can really test family dynamics,” she says. “You have limited bathroom space. You have very limited kitchen space. You’ve got to be very strict about what you take into that tiny home.”
Barber says she struggled to sell her tiny home after building it for TV despite getting plenty of interest.
“I personally wouldn’t do tiny homes again,” she says. “There’s fascination and there’s practical reality. I just think people have to tread really carefully with them.”
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