Book ‘From a small dream home to a finished home’: Trying out a home the right way (insight into chapter 4)
For many years, Chris and Caro have been talking about mini houses and more in their podcast ‘tinyon’. Now the two have published their first book. Readers of the NEW HOUSING page can regularly read excerpts from the work.
‘JUST RENT A TINY HOUSE ON AIRBNB. THEN WE'LL KNOW EXACTLY WHAT WE WANT.’
How to get the most out of your trial living adventure. Ask important questions to find the right house for your trial.
What is trial living?
Trial living is a flexible term. The decision on the right offer depends largely on what practical experience you have already gained with tiny houses and what your expectations are for this next step. Do you just want to get a first impression of the size of a tiny house, spend one night in it or experience everyday life in it over several days? Below, we provide an overview of the different trial living options available and what insights you can gain from each of them for your journey.
The classic – Airbnb
The Airbnb platform now also offers its own search filter for tiny houses. This allows you to search for suitable offers advertised for rent in your desired region or even a specific location. However, these are often designed for holiday rentals and are therefore, in our opinion, offered at inflated prices. As the houses are not usually designed as primary residences due to their short-term use, they are well suited for getting a first impression of the space, but interaction with residents is rarely possible. While researching the platform, we were also inspired to offer our own mini house for rent there in the future, especially when we are away for several weeks. Under certain circumstances, this option of temporary rental may also be attractive to you as a source of additional income.
Insider platforms
Alternative platforms are quite similar to Airbnb in terms of their basic structure. At first glance, the appeal of ‘Naturhäuschen’ and “Ogrido”, for example, seems to be more personal and with a greater awareness of nature and interpersonal relationships. For example, you will also find offers for ‘work in exchange for accommodation’ there. These listings offer you the opportunity to actively participate in the host's life in addition to classic overnight accommodation, thereby saving money on your travels. In general, you should be aware that a large proportion of the tiny houses on online platforms use land that is not approved for full-time residence or as a primary residence. So don't be blinded by the idyllic locations by the water, in the forest, between fields or in the mountains. However, such offers are wonderful for getting a first impression of the tiny living concept itself. [...]
Of course, the trial living was a lot of fun and we were able to have some great experiences as we put some of our theories to the test. Not all trial living experiences really helped us move forward.
To save time and money, we recommend that you make a concrete plan in advance of what experiences you want to have and what information you need in order to make decisions. The following criteria can help you find the right offer for you:
1. Location and surroundings
- Does the location meet your needs?
- Will the house be used as your main residence or is there a possibility of this?
- Can your desired lifestyle be achieved with the existing infrastructure?
2. Facilities
- Do the room layout and furnishings suit your everyday routine?
- Does the house meet your sustainability standards?
- Is the property developed, is the house connected to utilities, and are all the amenities relevant to everyday life fully usable?
- Are all the structural details visible, or do renovations prevent you from seeing the construction in its entirety?
- To what extent is the outdoor area considered as extended living space?
3. Costs and finances
- Could you afford to buy the house?
- Could you afford to maintain the house?
4. Community and social life
- Does the neighbourhood suit your lifestyle?
- Is there an opportunity to get to know your neighbours in advance?
5. Communication with the provider
- Tell the landlord in advance why you want to try out the house, so that they can answer any questions you may have in advance or obtain helpful information, such as electricity consumption, from their records.
- If necessary, take a look at previous reviews of the accommodation and critically question whether these match or are compatible with your expectations of the tiny house. [...]
Of course, you will gain the most realistic experience in a house that is permitted to be used as a primary residence. In the best case scenario, your contact person even lives in the house themselves and has simply sublet it to you. This means you have someone at your side to help you realistically assess your impressions afterwards. To document your thoughts, it is advisable to record them during or at least shortly after your stay. [...]
The options for trial living, insights into the diverse experiences of Chris & Caro, and how you can gain the best insights yourself are the topics covered in chapter 4 of 10.
CLICK HERE FOR THE ENTIRE BOOK BY CHRIS & CARO
Click here for an insight into Chapter 1
