Unique Rentals: What You Need to Know About Tree Houses, Tiny Homes, and Houseboats

If there were any question about the current popularity of “unique” short-term rentals, the fact that Airbnb has links to listings of “tree houses,” “tiny homes,” and “omg!” right in its top nav should answer it. One-of-a-kind, unusual rentals are having a moment—but they come with their own set of considerations. Here’s what to keep in mind before converting your backyard ADU into a pirate ship. 

Market Appeal

Of course, unique and weird can be very compelling, both to renters and also from a revenue standpoint. For one, you will likely not have too much competition for your hobbit house in Tennessee, your windmill in Portugal, or your yurt in Missouri. 

Priced correctly, with great guest reviews, it’s unlikely you will be undercut by another hobbit house. And in the case of unique property classes in high demand, like tree houses, you may be able to charge a premium (compared to other rentals of the same size in your area), and your occupancy rates may be higher. 

Management Costs

Management costs can be a mixed bag, depending on the specifics of your rental. In some cases, the footprint of your tiny house or tree house may be smaller than a traditional rental, which can save money when acquiring it in the first place and then on upkeep and cleaning. In other cases, a less traditional layout can pose heating or cooling issues requiring additional investment or a particularly skilled (expensive) technician or materials to repair issues should they arise. 

Insurance

It’s safe to say insurance companies may be less excited about your unique dwelling when it comes to insuring it. If there’s not a ton of historical data on the costs and calamities that befall your housing type, you can expect a higher insurance rate because of it. This is less of an issue with properties like tiny houses and more of an issue with those like tree houses, where there may be additional safety and liability issues.

Zoning and Regulations

This is a biggie and one where there is the least conformity. Regulations for renting unique structures vary dramatically, depending on where you live, and the rules come down to hyperlocal legislation. Building a unit like this from scratch will require extended time and probably many additional permits. 

An easier path is buying an existing structure and confirming the legality of the previous owner’s work—assuring they already dealt with any of the legal hoops or have been grandfathered in.

Final Thoughts

If you’re up to the additional potential costs and maintenance, unique short-term rentals can be very lucrative. Just make sure to underwrite carefully, with validated numbers, before digging in!

Note By BiggerPockets: These are opinions written by the author and do not necessarily represent the opinions of BiggerPockets.