Frequently Asked Questions

Most people use the phase "tiny home" for any home that is smaller than usual. It could include permanent structures like granny flats or shed homes, or moveable homes such as caravans, converted buses, yurts, or other homes on wheels. For this site we are focused on tiny homes on wheels, meaning moveable tiny homes that can be transported on the roads but are built from traditional materials and intended to be parked and lived in either long-term or short-term such as in the case of a holiday rental.

It is difficult to get clear answers because, for the most part, tiny houses are not defined in Australian legislation. They are often categorised as caravans, but caravans are built to be moved regularly and lived in temporarily. A dwelling that is moveable but designed to be lived in permanently doesn fit neatly into any pre-existing category. So, in most cases they are neither legal or illegal.

Again, it is difficult to get a clear answer on this. Where the tiny house meets the insurance company's idea of a caravan then maybe. But they often don't recognise the term "tiny home". The risks can also be seen as too high as they don't know where you are going to park it and the risks of that land (bushfire, flood etc). They also may not know how well it has been built as there are no clear building standards for tiny houses on wheels. They currently don't need to meet the Building Code of Australia if they are on wheels so there may be substandard building methods used and the insurance companies don't want to take the risk.

Mortgages are traditionally associated with property with a land component that can't be moved, so no, mortgages cannot be taken out against a tiny house on wheels. However, you may be able to get a personal loan, similar to a car or a caravan loan, to purchase your tiny home. These are usually payable over 7 years with a maximum borrowing limit of about $70,000 to $80,000 per person.

Second-hand tiny homes are becoming more and more common as people upgrade or move back to traditional housing after their tiny home has served its purpose. They can be found on Facebook Marketplace and Gumtree. You must do your due diligence when buying anything privately though, and we recommend you inspect it in person, only pay when you are taking possession of it, understand the construction methods and the qualifications and licences of the builders and trades associated with its construction, and seek legal advice to ensure you do not fall victim to scams.

This is difficult but understanding the qualifications and licences of the builder or manufacturer of the tiny home is a good start. Talking to other people who have used the same tiny home company is another way to protect yourself. Understand that tiny home builders are in the business of selling tiny homes and all their claims need to be independently checked. If they say there are "no Council approvals necessary" ask more questions and seek your own advice from your Council. There may not be any planning approvals from Council needed but there may still be building and/or plumbing approvals needed, or there may be a local law restricting the number of days you are allowed to live in a tiny home on private property.