Five myths about tiny houses and what’s really behind them

Tiny houses, modular homes and the like are still relatively new housing concepts. For an increasing number of people, however, the idea of a minimalist lifestyle is appealing. Because so many people are interested in tiny houses, there are also more and more stories circulating on the subject.

In the third episode of the NEW-HOUSING podcast, Anika Falke from Tiny University and Falke Design debunks a few myths. Here is a summary of the conversation for you to read.

Myth 1: A tiny house is not legally considered a proper house and, because a tiny house can be mobile, among other things, it can simply be set up anywhere.

Anika: “That’s complete nonsense. Tiny houses must meet the same requirements as large detached houses. Which building regulations the house must comply with depends on its intended use. As soon as a house is permanently occupied, the usual requirements apply – from the state building regulations, the land-use plan, and the development plan, if there is one. This applies both to owner-occupied homes and to holiday properties that are rented out for more than six months a year.”

Myth 2: German bureaucracy doesn’t allow small houses and the local council always has something against tiny houses.

Anika: “That’s not true either. That’s mostly down to miscommunication as well. Our advice is always: don’t call your building project a ‘tiny house’. Some people think of Peter Lustig’s construction trailer. Others think of a sustainable modular home. As soon as the term ‘tiny house’ is mentioned to local authorities or landowners, the building project always remains difficult to categorise and vague, because it allows for too many interpretations. When communicating with the local authority, it is important to describe what kind of house it is and what requirements it must meet. If this is clearly communicated, it is easier for local officials to form a picture of what is to be built. As a general rule: if we stop labelling tiny houses as special cases, then they will not be treated as such. If you adhere to the local development plan, a building project cannot legally be rejected.”

Myth 3: A tiny house always has wheels and is mobile.

Anika: “I don’t agree with that either. We at Tiny University have defined four types of tiny house: the house on wheels with road approval, the mobile home, also on wheels but without road approval, the modular house, and the small prefabricated house. All these houses are referred to as tiny houses, because that simply means they are tiny. But what constitutes ‘tiny’ is different for everyone. It could be a family with two children who want to downsize. For them, the classic 20-square-metre tiny house isn’t an option, but perhaps a 50-square-metre modular house is. In that sense, tiny houses aren’t always mobile and aren’t merely defined by a specific square footage.”

Myth 4: Tiny houses are always environmentally exemplary.

Anika: “That, too, cannot be answered in such general terms. What changes is one’s own approach to life in a tiny house. I can say that from my own experience. The two of us have been living in 20 square metres for five years. Our mindset is different. We produce less waste and use less energy. So it’s primarily the more sustainable lifestyle, rather than the house itself. The building depends on the construction process, the wall structure and the technology. Just because the house is small doesn’t mean it’s necessarily sustainable.”

Myth 5: Tiny houses are only for singles or one-person households.

Anika: I’ve already designed many houses for families that can expand their living space using modular units, or build and extend using modular systems and then remove sections again, so that houses can be designed more flexibly. So tiny houses are just as suitable for families as they are for young couples who might be planning to expand their family in the future.