We’re in the midst of a housing crisis in Australia and the Gloucester region is not immune, especially with the influx of residents over the past few years. Even the MidCoast Council has been writing to residents asking them to free up rental space on their properties.

Granny flats could help mitigate an acute shortage of rental accommodation.

However, before I launch into granny flats, I want to clear up some questions I’ve had about tiny houses on wheels.

Tiny house or granny flat: What’s the difference?

Tiny houses are all the rage; I think it’s the idea of an off-grid minimalist lifestyle that appeals. However, if you thought you could build (or have built) a tiny house, plonk it on some land and be done with it, think again. A tiny house is tiny because it’s designed to be mobile. It is built on a trailer with wheels and in effect it’s a fancy caravan as far as most local councils see it.

In contrast, a granny flat is a permanent structure and, subject to approval, can be used as a permanent dwelling.

Pros and cons of tiny houses and granny flats

Regulations in most councils haven’t really caught up with the tiny house movement. The pros of a tiny house are that, as it’s movable, the build isn’t subject to local building regulations. However, because it’s considered to be movable, it must comply with maximum size limits and restrictions on the number of days it can be occupied.

A granny flat is considered to be the same as any other fixed dwelling and you need to go through the normal approval process. This can take time and money, which is why the tiny house on wheels is becoming such a popular choice.

Advantages of a granny flat

While granny flats originally were for a grandparent, as the name suggests, nowadays they’ve become everything from teenage retreats to rental accommodation.

Once you’ve gained your building permits and built your granny flat, you can live in it, rent it out long term or instal a family member as a permanent resident. A permanent structure as an addition to your home can add value to your property as it offers the option of multigenerational living or another income stream.

Can you use a tiny house on wheels for short-term lets?

I get asked this a lot and it’s tricky. The thing is, it depends on where you intend to site your tiny house. Most people who have asked have acreage and are looking to supplement their incomes by renting their tiny house as a form of eco cabin.

The MidCoast Council will treat your tiny house on wheels as a caravan, which means they treat any occupancy as ‘camping’. That means you can use your tiny house only for a set number of days a year.

There are some great places to seek advice on the flexibility, costs and regulations for tiny houses. The Tiny Homes Expo is one place to talk to a range of providers. The 2024 Expo is in May at Hawkesbury Showground and in the Hunter region in July.

I found a great website where I found advice on how to set up your off-grid tiny house. Plus there are plenty of providers who will advise on how to manage the marketing and booking of your tiny house. Once you google the topic, you’ll be bombarded on Facebook with a plethora of ideas and providers.

Good luck! We’re still debating in our house about whether or not to buy a tiny house ready to go or whether we give our architect son an opportunity to design something!

Need advice on selling your Gloucester region property?

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