Frequently Asked Questions
Do you have a question about living in a Tiny House, or about my adventures? Chances are that I already have written about the subject! Please see the most frequently asked questions and their answers below. Sometimes I refer to another page that is not translated yet, my apologies. The translation of my website to English is a work in progress :)
I would love to live in a Tiny House, where should I start?
A good place to start is reading the blogs on this website. You can also subscribe to my newsletter, you will then receive a monthly email with all the blog posts of the previous month in it. You can follow a workshop, that is a great way to get a wealth of information in one day so you can start your own adventure to living Tiny right away. For information on my workshops please refer to this page (Dutch).
If you would prefer to get some personal advice, that is also possible. Please see the possibilities on this page.
Our website Tiny House Nederland (Dutch) also contains a lot of useful information. The ‘handige links’ page for example gives a great overview of all that is happening in the Dutch Tiny House movement, as does the map: Tiny House Nederland kaart. You can ask questions directly to the community on the forum of Tiny House Nederland.
Where are you allowed to live in a Tiny House in the Netherlands?
The movement is still young and we have some hurdles to take before Tiny living is a possibility for the majority of people who would like to do so. At this point we are pioneering, so to speak. I’ve written a couple of blogs about this subject, still to be translated. On the blog page you can filter by category. On the map at Tiny House Nederland you can see which initiatives are active to make room for Tiny Houses, perhaps you can connect to one of them.
Can you buy a ready-made Tiny House if you can’t or don’t want to build it yourself?
Yes, that is possible. There are several professional builders in te Netherlands that are happy to work with you and the list is growing each month. On the map you can see who they are by clicking on the red ‘pins’. You can also check the list of companies building Tiny Houses on the website of Tiny House Nederland, on the handige links page. I do not sell Tiny Houses myself ;)
What are the costs of a Tiny House?
There is really no standard price for a Tiny House; it all depends on your wishes (for example: do you want to live off-grid, or not?) and whether or not you plan to build it yourself. If you can build it yourself and search for second-hand or salvaged materials the costs will not be that high, but 25.000 euro is easily reached. I would not advise buying a second-hand trailer. If you want to buy a ready-made THOW (Tiny House on Wheels) in the Netherlands, you should be ready to spend 35.000 euro or more.
Can you get a mortgage for a Tiny House?
As of yet it is not possible to get a mortgage for a THOW. If the Tiny House is built on foundations or anchored to the ground and you can register at the city council as the inhabitant of the house on that plot, then there are some mortgage providers that are interested. For example, Triodos, Rabobank and Obvion might be willing to give you a mortgage. I expect that new ways of financing Tiny Houses will be created. The more people ask for Tiny House financing, the sooner it will become a reality. So go ask your bank about it! You can also think about a personal loan, from friends or family.
How do I get in touch with people in my area that have a Tiny House or are planning to build one? How do I get in touch with people so we can team up and look for parking/living locations together?
Please refer to the Tiny House community Nederland map on my website. There is also the Tiny House Nederland forum where you can share ideas and meet people.
Can I join the Tiny House pilot project in Alkmaar?
Together with the foundation Stichting behoud GAS!Fabriek I filed a project plan with the city council in Alkmaar for a pilot project with Tiny Houses. We have received a permit for 5 Tiny Houses for 5 years, unfortunately our neighbours issued an objection which you can read all about in this blog post. We can’t continue the project at this point in time. We have received over 370 applications from people interested in participating in the pilot and at this point we are not accepting new applications. You can follow the project via the Facebook page Tiny House Alkmaar and in the blogs on this website.
What is a Tiny House and what is the difference between a Tiny House and for example an RV?
Tiny Houses are build as primary, fully-fledged dwelling units on a small scale, not as second homes or recreational units. Tiny House people make a conscious choice to live this way, from a desire to live a more simple life. Less focused on possessions, with a smaller eco footprint. A Tiny House is often but not necessarily mobile. Smart use of space and innovative technologies are often used in the design and build of these little houses. Quality and design are highly valued. A Tiny House measures less than 50 m2 in living space.
I want the same Tiny House as you have. Is that possible, are the plans for sale?
One of the beautiful aspects of the Tiny House movement is that it gives you the opportunity to design your own house, specifically to your wishes, tastes and lifestyle (or let somebody design it for you). Everyone has his or her own unique house, isn’t that great! I would very much hate it if copies of my Tiny House existed.
Is it possible to visit your Tiny House?
Yes it is! Please see this page: ‘Open House‘.