tiny houses – The Interiors Addict

Tiny Houses are now undeniably a viable solution as a housing option and they’re here to stay. People are demanding them and companies are supplying them, but councils, who are responsible for planning legislation, are often not quite there yet.

The Australian Tiny House Association (ATHA) says many councils are stretched to their limits with Covid issues, budget constraints and a lack of resources and quality research to deal with this new housing model. This all creates an environment of confusion and hesitation to take action.

But they have a solution: “After many hundreds of hours, we have assembled a policy template as a guide for government agencies, which develops a framework and a consistent approach to the assessment of tiny houses under a planning system,” says ATHA president, Kim Connolly. “The outcome would be to lessen the confusion, and create intentional, actionable steps for councils so the community has confidence that they are actively providing a solution.”

ATHA members, who are structural engineers, town planners, tiny house builders and dwellers, have worked together to create the Tiny House Policy Template for all of Australia. It is designed to be used by local government planning and building officers to support the legal approval of tiny houses in their local area. There is a keen focus on safety and compliance.

“Now, more than ever, tiny houses provide a home for young couples entering the housing market; people downsizing; older, single women with superannuation funds too small to buy an average sized house; grown up children moving home because of Covid 19 issues; transient professionals such as travelling nurses or teachers; emergency accommodation due to fires or domestic violence; people looking for a sustainable, low-impact lifestyle and anyone needing secure, affordable housing,” Kim says.

“Because of Coronavirus, the average Australian is in need of diversifying their income streams. A tiny house in their backyard not only creates affordable housing for the tiny homeowner but also brings much-needed financial help to the mortgage owner while limiting urban sprawl.

“Tiny house sales are increasing because they are so badly needed at this moment in time. They are not a fad, they are an answer and we are helping councils to fast track the approval process and get people housed.”

You can find the policy template and more information on tiny house living on the Association’s website.

Tiny Houses Australia: all you need to know

Housing affordability remains a hot button issue in Australia and our response to it is becoming increasingly creative. There’s the growth in apartment living, the rise in multi-generational homes, chic granny flats and, arguably the most newsworthy, the tiny house trend.

In fact, one Blue Mountains tiny house example had been viewed over 27 million times on YouTube at last count. But when it comes to these diminutive abodes, just who is living in them and how are they being used? And what are some of the more practical considerations when it comes to living in a tiny house?

Hauslein's Little Sojourner tiny house — Häuslein Tiny House Co’s Little Sojourner model

“Most of our customers live in their tiny houses full time or use them as guest accommodation, however many people use them as a home office, weekender, granny flat or Airbnb,” says Sarah Rohdich, the co-founder of Port Macquarie’s Häuslein Tiny House Co. And it seems the demand for the tiny house runs across demographics with interest stemming from retirees, young families and increasingly, singletons, both young and old.

“Demand is being fueled primarily by housing affordability, plus a desire to simplify and live with more flexibility,” says Sarah. And while, from the outset, it looks like living in a tiny house could simplify your life, there are plenty of practical considerations to make when considering one.

Parking & council issues
“A key consideration includes parking. If you don’t already own land, a tiny house owner will need to find somewhere they can park their house long term,” says Sarah who explains there’s increasing interest in renting out land for tiny house use. Sites such as tinyrealestate.com.au provide a platform for landowners to advertise their land for this use.

“Council is another consideration. Because tiny houses are legally classed as a caravan, they can be parked on the same block of land as an existing home and have a household member live in them full time, without any council approval required,” says Sarah, who believes this applies across Australia.

Also, according to Sarah, a tiny house can be parked on a vacant block of land and used up to 60 days per year for no longer than 48 hours at a time, without any council approval. “If the tiny house is to be used for long term living on a vacant block, as a primary dwelling, council approval (a DA) will be required,” says Sarah.

Power
Like a traditional caravan, a tiny house comes with a regular power plug and garden hose connection, however they are fully functional off the grid too. “You can go off grid with a solar/battery system, composting toilet and independent water supply and drainage systems. How you’re going to handle power, water, drainage and sewage are important factors to think through,” says Sarah.

Space constraints
A tiny house makes no bones about the fact that it is in fact tiny, so whether or not you’d be comfortable living in a confined space is another factor to consider. “If you’re going to move into a tiny house long term, one final consideration is how you’ll go downsizing and adjusting to a smaller space. Obviously, tiny houses are built to maximise living and storage, however there will still be some adjustments, and you’ll find lots of ways to be creative.”

Cost
Sarah’s smallest tiny house model (the Little Sojourner) starts at $79,000 while her largest offering (the Grand Sojourner) starts at $110,000. There are a variety of available extras that can bump the price up – adding full off grid power, reverse cycle AC, keyless entry, an appliance package, light fittings, curtains and blinds will add about $30,000 to $40,000 to the total bill.

“When you think about it though, depending on which options you go for, you can have a fully functioning, high quality, ultra-comfortable and relocatable home for under, or just over $100,000.”

Hauslein's larger Grand Sojourner model — Häuslein Tiny House Co’s larger Grand Sojourner model

Photography: Scott Rohdich and Zane Wilson

For more on Häuslein Tiny House Co | Inner-city ‘dollhouse’ built on tiny block