Australian Tiny House Association
https://tinyhouse.org.au/
Tiny House Finance:
https://tinyhousefinance.com.au/
https://www.creditone.com.au/leisure/caravan-and-camper-finance
https://www.regionalaustraliabank.com.au/personal/products/personal-loans/accelerator-car-loan
https://www.mortgageandfinancehelp.com.au/first-home-buyer-news/tiny-houses/
Tiny House Insurance:
https://www.cilinsurance.com.au/rv-insurance/tiny-house-wheels-insurance
Tiny House Towing Companies:
https://tinytowing.com.au/index.html
https://roadsidetowing.com.au/tiny-homes/
http://www.totaltowing.com.au/contact-total-towing-service.php
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Tiny House Builders
Tiny House Trailers
Land Rental for your Tiny House
Tiny House Blog
Know of additional resources? Comment below and we can check them out and add them in.
Tiny House FAQ
Q: What are tiny houses?
A: A tiny house is a small dwelling that that has the functionality and character of a permanent house and is often on wheels. Most THOW (tiny houses on wheels) are no more than 2.5m wide and 4.3m high (from the ground). They can be as long as 12.5m long but most tinys are somewhere around 7-8m long as they become very heavy beyond this length and a tiny can only be towed if it meets the weight restrictions determined by its trailer.
Q: Why should I buy a tiny house?
A: Tiny houses provide several solutions to many modern-day housing problems. They are affordable, sustainable, and bring diversity and flexibility to housing options. Tiny houses allow you to have lower expenses on utilities and maintenance.
Q: Should I seek approval from the council for my tiny house?
A: It’s really up to you.. Tiny houses on wheels are classified as caravans and therefore do not need any building approval from the council. Different councils can limit the length of time you can legally live in a tiny house in a given location but this differs from one council to another and from state to state. In many places, you cannot exceed living 48 hours in the caravan at a time, and this must be for no more than 60 days in total within a year.
Q: Do I require any special permits to tow my tiny house on the road?
A: As long as your tiny house fits within certain dimensional and weight restrictions (Max 12.5m long, 2.5m wide, 4.3m high, x 4.5tonne (or less depending on your trailer), it is considered a caravan and therefore does not require any special permits for towing. Please note however that the towing of caravans (including tiny houses), is subject to weight restrictions. The weight of your tiny house will determine the requirements of the vehicles that can safely and legally tow it.
You can investigate the towing capacity of different vehicle’s at https://www.carsguide.com.au/towing-capacity and of course you can always find a company that will happily tow it for you.
Q: Where can I park my tiny house?
A: Given the current legislative frame-work here in Aus, there is always the chance that you’ll be asked to move on from your current tiny house parking spot — even if it’s your own land. For this reason, people often prefer to rent a spot for their tiny house. Check out out article in finding land rental for your tiny house.
Q: What are the maximum dimensions for a tiny house?
A: The maximum height and width of a tiny house are 4.3m X 2.5m. The length of a tiny house can however stretch up to 10.5m ( including the draw bar). Most tiny’s are around 7-8m long because beyond that they become excessively heavy and this can impact their tow-ability.
Q: What is the maximum a tiny house can weigh?
A: The maximum weight a tiny house can have in Australia is 4.5 tonnes. Exceeding this limit will get you on the wrong side of the law and towing will become extremely strenuous. Keep in mind that depending on which trailer you have, your legal weight may be less than the 4.5 tonnes.
Q: Can my tiny house go off-grid?
A: Yes! Absolutely. Keep in mind that if you think you will want to go off-grid at some point, you need to factor this into the different appliances you choose to have installed in your tiny house. Eg. LPF gas oven rather than electrical
Q: Is it illegal to go off the grid in Australia?
A: No. It is perfectly legal and possible to live off the grid in Australia.
Q: Why do tiny houses have wheels?
A: Mobility is among the biggest reasons why many tiny houses are on wheels. Owners of tiny houses love the idea of being able to follow their pursuits and not be tied down by anything. They also don’t require building approvals.
Q: Can I insure my tiny house?
A: Yes, provided they meet certain requirements. Tiny houses are currently considered caravan’s in Australia and so will need to meet all caravan regulations (eg. having the door on the correct side of the vehicle). Note also that things like wood heaters need to adhere to Australian standards (both the heater itself, and the way in which it is installed) for the tiny house to be legal and insurable. It’s also important for insurance purposes that any work done on your tine (electrical, plumbing etc) is done by certified trades people with compliance certificates to prove the legality of the work. To find insurance for your tiny house, reach out to providers of caravan insurance and have a conversation with them regarding your Tiny.
Q: Can a tiny house be financed?
A: Yes, you can get funding to cover the cost of your tiny house from different finance companies. Some manufacturers of tiny house’shave tailor-made arrangements with finance companies to suit your funding requirements. See our resources section above and also check out our article on financing Tiny Houses in Aus.
