Sunday, January 19, 2020

Can I Rent a Tiny House Long Term?

You don’t have to buy or build your own tiny house to have a tiny experience. With user-based platforms like Airbnb, you can search for properties other people have built and rent it for the weekend. It’s already a market of its own thanks to the popularity of shows like Tiny House Nation. 

If you ever feel like living tiny for more than just the weekend, know it’s possible to stay tiny for a lot longer than a month.

So, is tiny house long term rental even a thing? Of course it is! While long-term opportunities might not be as common as short stays, it’s definitely possible to have it arranged. In fact, there are dedicated sites for occupying tiny houses. 

In this article, we break down everything you need to know about long-term arrangements, and where to search for your next home sweet home.

How Much Does It Cost?

Short-term rental prices vary depending on the amenities, location, and design. A standard wooden tiny house in British Columbia, Canada costs $89 a night, while an awesome remote hut in New South Wales, Australia costs $315 a night. 

Luckily, long-term rent for tiny houses aren’t as expensive. Unlike apartment pricing, long-term rent for tiny houses also vary and is primarily determined by the seller, not the market price. 

Its total square feet, the property or land it’s on, and whether or not there are other tiny houses in the area can all determine rental costs. On Tiny House Listings alone, you can find different rental posts ranging from $500 to $1,000.

Keep in mind that the rent might not be your only living cost. If you’re choosing a tiny house on wheels (particularly if you’re on a rent-to-own agreement), you might have to look for a separate land to park your tiny house, which can cost anywhere from $300 to $500 monthly for the parking alone. 

Reasons For Renting Tiny Houses Long-term

Not sure whether you should invest in your own property or settle for a long-term rental? Here are some reasons why you might want to go tiny for more than a month:

  • You’re not sold on tiny houses

Tiny houses are adorable but they’re really not for everyone. If you’re not 100% sold on the idea of tiny living, you can look for rentals in your area and live out the experience, without having to commit to the lifestyle. 

  • You want to be smarter with your money

Renting condominiums, apartments, and other forms of traditional real estate can cost a lot for not much space. A typical 1BR can cost up to $2,000 and in most cases you would have to furnish it and turn it into a proper home. 

On the other hand, tiny homes can be rented for $700 to $1,000 with little to no extra work needed. 

  • You’re not ready to make the financial commitment 

Building your tiny house can cost anywhere from $10,000 to $30,000 depending on how much you do on your own, while buying a built one can cost you upwards of $30,000. While these numbers pale in comparison to the cost of traditional real estate, not everyone will be ready (or able) to pull the trigger on the spot. 

For those who can’t invest that much money on their own tiny house, they can either enter a rent-to-own agreement or simply rent long-term until they’re ready to buy or build their own.

  • You don’t want to build your own tiny house

Building your own tiny dwelling is a real labor of love. If you’re keen on owning a property but don’t want to go through the hassle of financing or building, entering a long-term rent-to-own agreement is a great alternative. 

After your lease is up, you can decide whether or not you want to buy the tiny house. It’s a great way to be a part of the community without having to deal with financial stress.

To Rent Or to Buy?

If there’s one downside to renting, it would be the recurring monthly expenses. Owning your tiny house means you don’t have to think about spending an extra $500 to $1,000 on your rent, not to mention the added parking fee if you have a tiny house on wheels. 

For most, downsizing is a long-term commitment - one that you or your family might not be ready to make just yet. The biggest benefit to long-term options is that you can cut your spending right away by going tiny. 

Instead of having to save for a year or two, you can already have access to good rental options in your area and move into the tiny house of your choice as soon as possible.

Generally, you won’t “break even” on your tiny house for a long time if you choose to go for the building route. Setting up the trailer, finding a parking spot, building the entire house, and furnishing it will cost you money, if not time. 

Long-term rentals are a great way to live cheaper and freer right now. All you have to do is find a property you like and you’re good to go.

Where Can You Rent a Tiny House

Finding long-term rentals can be difficult which is why we’ve scoured the internet for communities, people, and sites you could approach for semi-permanent tiny living. 

1) Airbnb

Airbnb is the premier listing site for all things rentals. Whether you’re staying the night or an entire weekend, finding the tiny house of your dreams will be easy.

The downside is that your monthly rent might be more expensive than if you were to go off-site. We suggest looking for a listing you like and try locating the owner or builder of the property online to see if you could work out a better arrangement. 

2) Tiny House Listings

True to its name, the site has a number of parking and long-term options available on their site. As mentioned, the listings vary a lot. A 160 sq. ft. tiny home in Truckee, California costs $1,100 while a 240 sq. ft. tiny in Jacksonville, Florida costs $450.

3) Tiny House Block 

Tiny House Block is a dedicated tiny house community where you can meet like minded people and learn more about the lifestyle. The site features different tiny house designs, all of which are available for short and long-term stays. See a full list of their rentals here.

4) Glamping Hub

Glamping Hub is a similar platform to Airbnb. Again, you might want to try and contact the owner off-site to get a better deal. Like Airbnb, most tiny houses posted here are on the landlord’s property so you won’t have to look for a place to park. 

5) Tiny House Finder

Like Tiny House Listings, Tiny House Finder is a site dedicated to all things tiny. Whether you’re buying, selling, or looking to rent long-term, there are different properties and land you can choose from.

6) Trulia 

Trulia doesn’t have a ton of listings but the ones that are posted on the site are incredibly affordable. You can rent a 430 square foot in Wichita, Kansas for just $425 monthly. Read about their featured rentals here.

7) Local Tiny House Communities

When it comes to finding the best deals, nothing beats word of mouth. Connect with people who are actually part of tiny house communities and see if they know of any vacant property. Don’t hesitate to join the forums and participate in Facebook groups.

Long Term Stay, Long Term Happiness

Living in a real house doesn’t have to cost you an arm and a leg. Renting tiny houses give you the freedom to be debt-free and stress-free right now. The only requirements are the deposit and the rent money. 

What are you waiting for? There are several tiny houses you can choose from for a long-term stay - it’s just a matter of finding a property that’s right for you. 

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