ATHA defines a tiny house as a small, moveable dwelling capable of being permanently occupied and usually on a wheeled trailer base. These dwellings are usually called Tiny Houses on Wheels (THOWs). Some tiny houses are also built on skids and can be moved by crane.

The reason tiny houses are built on wheels is to allow home ownership when land ownership is not possible or viable. This makes them a distinctive housing category, between caravans and built structures with fixed foundations. Most tiny houses on wheels are between 6m and 10m long and must weigh under 4.5 tonnes, the legal limit of their trailers.

Not at all. Tiny houses might be on wheels, but they have some clear advantages over caravans when it comes to long-term living. Tiny houses are designed to maximise liveability in terms of storage, comfort and amenities. They’re also built using high quality materials and construction methods to make them structurally sound and weatherproof long-term; this makes them considerably heavier and more house-like than caravans, which are designed primarily for regular travel.

Tiny houses might have started as a lifestyle choice, a way to have a simpler, more sustainable way of life. They’re now regarded as one of the most practical and affordable housing options available in Australia due to the increasing unattainability of housing, the increasing cost of living, and dire climate and environmental pressures.

The short answer is: it depends where you want to live, that is, terms of the state and the Local Government Area, because some areas are more tiny-positive than others and because many councils still regard tiny houses as “caravans” (which often have strict limits in terms of permanent occupation). ATHA is passionately advocating to create more consistency and clarity across all LGAs and states in Australia so that people can live long-term in tiny houses legally, safely and in peace. Until then, it’s a good idea to check with your local council before deciding to live in a tiny house.

The most common way to live in a tiny house is to rent a site on someone else’s property. Tiny house communities or villages are also becoming an option in some places. It’s generally not legal to live in a tiny house on wheels on your own land unless there is another, primary dwelling already on the property (this rule varies depending on location). There are organisations that can help you find a site for your tiny, check our ATHA Business Directory.

Because tiny houses are a relatively new typology, they don’t fit neatly into existing legislative frameworks. This is compounded by the fact that housing is regulated by federal, state and local government (council) authorities, whose planning policies can overlap and contradict each other. Tiny houses also can’t be certified under the National Construction Code, even when they’re built by reputable licensed builders, because they’re built on wheels which brings its own design constraints.

First, check our ATHA Business Directory, which lists tiny house builders that are ATHA Business members and must abide by our code of ethics. Second, download our Buyers Guide on our home page, which covers questions to ask when choosing a tiny house builder.

A professionally built tiny house on wheels can cost between $80,000 and more than $170,000 depending on the size and design, how much customisation there is, the materials and craftsmanship and the quality of the build. Additional costs include off-grid setup or utilities connection, transport to your site and site preparation.