I often see reactions on the Facebook page of Tiny House Nederland along the lines of ‘nice Tiny House but you can’t live in them anywhere in the Netherlands’. Or people expect Tiny House Netherlands to make it happen for them. Therefore, I think it’s time to clarify a few things!
Ok, so first of all: it is certainly possible to live in a Tiny House in the Netherlands, legally or…semi legally ;). But it takes a pioneering approach and it demands a large dose of initiative, research, creativity and self-sustainability. Don’t expect to travel down a well-trodden path as this unfortunately (or fortunately?) is not the case. At least not for now; I expect there will be more ready and established opportunities over the next few years.
So, what are your options? See my articles ‘Where can you live in a Tiny House’ and ‘The question of registration’ as good starting points for your adventure. Because that is exactly what it is: an adventure! Luckily you are not alone; there are dozens of people in the Netherlands actively making plans or who have started building their Tiny House. Also, if you wish to have your house built, there are several possibilities. I can help you find information for your area. (E-mail: info@marjoleininhetklein.com)
If you wish to live legally, you will need to speak to your council of choice. Go and have a conversation; they are just people after all! There is big interest in Tiny Houses and it is a wonderful solution to the lack of housing. The chances are that your council will really listen to your well-developed plans and would be willing to cooperate to find a solution around some of the legalities. Better still, find others who are looking to realise the same thing and join forces. Together you are stronger! For example, I am working with a few others to file a request with Bergen NH council. When I’m finished, I will share this as a template for you to use for your council. Isn’t that handy? :)
Finally, a word about Tiny House Nederland:
We are a small group of people with a passion for small, sustainable homes who wish to share all the information we have (around building, living, minimalist lifestyle etc) with everyone in the Netherlands. We do this on a voluntary basis, in addition to jobs and studies. The organisation has only just started, but who knows? We may be able to contribute more in the future but for now our mission is to provide information.
The Tiny House Nederland Facebook page is one of the ways we share information about Tiny Houses. We show you what’s going on in the Tiny House community, both in the Netherlands and abroad, and show you examples of Tiny Houses. We are not commercially aligned with any of the companies who offer the houses. If you are seeking more information around a specific house or project, it’s best to contact that company directly. There is almost always a link in the post.
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