Tiny houses in Germany are all the rage – and often cause big problems after the purchase

Tiny houses are conquering Germany, but often problems await after the purchase. Proper use is crucial to avoid trouble.

Bremen – Tiny houses are becoming increasingly popular in Germany. Cleverly planned, they are not only attractive for space-saving living in the tightest of spaces. The low construction costs are also interesting for future home builders. In addition, the mini houses can also be mobile.

But as popular as tiny houses German are, problems often arise after the purchase of such a house. After all, the tiny houses must not simply be set up everywhere and many people imagine it easier to live in them in the long term than it is ultimately feasible in practice.

Tiny houses in Germany are all the rage – and often cause big problems after the purchase

So they seem perfect for those who want to own less, don't settle down yet or who want to travel around a lot. But not so in Germany. Because whether you want to live in it permanently or use a tiny house as a travel home, the legal and structural hurdles are high.

Therefore, before building or buying a mini-house with only a few square meters, it is important to determine its type of use. This is because it decides on the search for a parking space or land as well as the appropriate construction.

Option 1: The Tiny House as a permanent residence

If you want to use a tiny house as a permanent residence, you need a plot of land in a developed settlement. This is connected to the public road and path network as well as to the supply and disposal network. The problem: According to the development plan, residential buildings are planned in such a settlement, says Holger Freitag, a lawyer for the Association of Private Builders (VPB) in Berlin. However, the first municipalities are already creating building planning rights for tiny houses.

"In Baden-Württemberg, for example, there is paragraph 56 in the state building code, which permits experimental building," says Regina Schleyer, chairwoman of the Tiny House Association in Karlsruhe. And some federal states are launching temporary pilot projects to create settlements for tiny houses.

First residence in the Tiny House: Chance campsite with residential use

So you should inform yourself about such local possibilities – this can be the first chance for a tiny house as a permanent residence. The alternative can be a permanent pitch on a campsite – provided that the residential use is entered in the development plan of the camping site. The advantage: You don't need a building permit.

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But: "Registering a primary residence is usually not possible," according to the Tiny House Association. In addition, you have to meet requirements: The tiny house may be a maximum of 50 square meters in size and not higher than 3.50 meters.

The efficient use of space is one of the reasons why many people are enthusiastic about tiny houses. However, in practice, cramped living also brings difficulties. © Federico Gambarini/dpa

But there is another way: "If you already own a plot of land, you can submit a preliminary building request to the responsible building authority," says building consultant Holger Freitag. In this way, you can find out whether and in what form the property may be occupied with living space. Without a subsequent building permit, it is usually not possible.

Municipal requirements such as the development plan determine how a new house should fit into the village. For example, by the shape of the roof, façade color, window type or minimum floor space. A tiny house must also meet such requirements, according to Freitag.

Setting up a tiny house in a housing estate: Strict building regulations dictate the possibilities

And here, too, the full building regulations of the public sector, such as state building codes, apply. "What many regulations prescribe is a clear height of 2.40 meters or 2.50 meters as well as a toilet, shower and ventilated kitchenette," lists the building consultant Freitag. And as soon as owners live in the Tiny House for more than four months a year, the Building Energy Act takes effect with requirements for building insulation and heating.

After all, simplified approval procedures are possible in some municipalities. In this case, a building notification to the building authority is sufficient. "However, this may require an architect's plan as well as information on stability and thermal insulation," says Freitag.

And without a building permit, usually only small construction projects with a gross floor area of up to ten square meters are possible. An exception is the Bavarian building code. It allows buildings with a gross volume of up to 75 cubic meters, the equivalent of about 30 square meters. However, this only applies to the interior, i.e. built-up settlement areas.

Option 2: The Tiny House as a holiday home

If you only want to use the Tiny House occasionally, for example on weekends or holidays, it can be easier. Here, according to the Tiny House Association, you need a parking space or building site in a special area for recreation or in an area for the development of residential use.

There are fewer requirements there. In addition, the construction is often exempt from procedures or permits if the floor area is a maximum of 50 square meters. However, the property must also be developed there.

Option 3: The Tiny House as a caravan

In order to take a mobile Tiny House with you on holiday, you need to be approved as a caravan on the road. According to the Road Traffic Licensing Regulations (StVZO, § 32), it may be a maximum of 2.55 meters wide, four meters high and twelve meters long. The maximum permissible weight is 3.5 tonnes. All viewing windows require safety glass (§ 22a). And the fixed trailer must have all the necessary lights.

Tiny houses are becoming increasingly popular in Germany. One reason for this is that it can also be easily converted into a home on wheels. (Archive image) © Federico Gambarini/dpa

However, one should be aware that frequent changes of location are usually much more complex than the owner suspects, according to Johannes Laible, publisher of the Tiny House magazine "Kleiner Wohnen". "In any case, one of the usual testing organizations (e.g. TÜV, Dekra, GTÜ) should be involved at an early stage," he advises. The transport issue should also be clarified with the manufacturer of the tiny house.

Registering as a caravan incurs costs for insurance, taxes and regular maintenance. There is no need for a building permit. You should keep in mind that the camping vehicle also needs a parking space outside the holidays. This can be the parking lot in front of the apartment building. "But you are not allowed to spend the night in it," says construction consultant Holger Freitag.

Option 4: The Tiny House as a charge

According to Johannes Laible, the more common way to use the Tiny House on the move is to consider it as a charge. All that is needed for this is an approved trailer on which the house will be securely attached. And after the change of location, the tiny house is taken off the trailer again.

Again, depending on the size and severity of the house, this means a lot of effort. "If you move, you also have to apply for a demolition permit for the Tiny House," says Regina Schleyer from the Tiny House Association. In addition, there are costs for the conversion and the new building permit, as different building regulations may apply at the new location. (jon/dpa)