A tiny-home builder says Tasmanians are abandoning their home ownership and investment dreams due to failing regulations and council approval processes.
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Artisan Tiny Homes owner Kerrie Mott said some councils in Tasmania had flatly refused to approve tiny homes on wheels (THOWS), while in other municipalities the process had been easy.
"It is a free-for-all...There are certain councils where it is an absolute no. A couple of our clients have been so frustrated that they have said 'we can't go ahead' and they back out," Mrs Mott said.
"They have this dream, they may have been saving for a while, but because of the council their dream is not going to go ahead."
Tiny homes built onto trailers (THOWS) have effectively fallen into a caravan classification where they are formally categorised as road registerable vehicles.
This has made it difficult to permanently live in them on private property under occupancy laws and council process.
These homes also fall outside the scope of national building regulations, meaning there are no set building design or health and safety standards to adhere or approve.
Meanwhile, clear and easily understood Tasmanian building and planning regulatory guidelines specifically for individuals wishing to consider THOWS, at a state and council level, do not exist.
The regulations from 2018 have also changed and tightened as the tiny-home trend unfolded, and authorities have battled to keep up amid a housing shortage crisis.
An affordable housing solution lost
Mrs Mott, who is a designer, said their tiny-home business has decades of building experience, with her husband Kevin passing on his skills to their daughter Savannah.
They brought their business to Tasmania after running and selling tiny homes in New South Wales, in a region where people could legally live permanently in tiny homes.
Mrs Mott said the lack of streamline regulatory process in Tasmania was causing undue stress on her clients, as well as her family business.
She said she wants standard building and regulation requirements specifically applied to tiny homes.
"I appreciate council concerns. They don't want to allow something that can then be built in every backyard, but if they knew the time, effort, quality, and specifications that we build to, then it would be possible to lessen their concerns," Mrs Mott said.
"We would happily comply with building requirements for tiny homes. Then they are accredited, and approved, and everyone is a winner."
Tasmania's building regulator changes the goal posts
Consumer, Building and Occupational Services (CBOS) have changed the rules for tiny-homes on wheels, where the cheaper living option has effectively been wiped out in Tasmania.
Previously the tiny-homes (as caravans on trailers) could be rolled onto private property, without building approvals, if they were capable of being registered as a vehicle, and in line with council planning provisions and zoning.
Now under the changes, which came into effect this year, the structures will not be 'road registrable' if they are unable to be moved and are affixed to the land by things like decks and flushing toilets.
If home-owners want flushing toilets then permanent structures such as an approved shed must be used, dump points must be installed, and all of the associated plumbing services must get council approvals.
Mrs Mott said the changes have made it more difficult for tiny homes on wheels to be used as an affordable housing solution, due to unclear rules and extra costs.
She said the family was losing business.
"I would hate to have to close down, or change what we do into something else, because this grey area can't get sorted."
Are you having issues with your tiny home? What is your experience with the council? Speak with us: ibird@austcommunitymedia.com.au
