Granny Flat vs. Tiny House – Which One’s Right For You?

There are practical and regulatory differences when comparing a granny flat vs. tiny house.

While there are so many different definitions and products on the market, a tiny house can be defined as a compact, fully functioning and transportable dwellings. 

Granny flats are usually larger, can be stand-alone permanent structures on a property with an existing house, a private extension of the house or a converted garage. 

When a Tiny House is built on a foundation or sits on stumps it becomes a dwelling and falls under the same regulations as a granny flat or demountable. Therefore, to compare granny flat vs. tiny house, in this article we’ll consider a Tiny House on wheels (THOW) and compare it to a typical granny flat in the backyard.

Key Differences Between a Granny Flat And a Tiny House

Read on to discover the pros and cons of these similar-sized homes and decide which one’s right for you.

Council Approval

No council approval is required for a Tiny House when it’s parked on a property with an existing dwelling. This is true regardless of property size and street frontage and will save you time and money. THOWs are classified as caravans and can be parked on a vacant block of land with a limit of 60 nights occupancy.

A granny flat may require some council approval affecting where it goes, what size it is and specifications for the utility supply. Development application (DA) planning fees and council levies range between councils from zero to thousands of dollars. 

In NSW, for example, the property needs to be larger than 450m square and have a minimum 12m street frontage to be eligible for a granny flat. This is to accommodate safe distance between buildings for fire hazards. Brisbane, QLD has its own regulations for single and double story granny flats!

Contact your local council for pertinent details.

Location

A THOW can be located almost anywhere there’s firm flat ground! An off grid Tiny House is self-sufficient with a water tank and solar or fuel generated electricity. Most of our clients have parked their Tiny Houses in a semi-off grid setting, collecting their own rain water, and parked on family or friend’s land for a nominal rent and within 200m of the internet or electricity source. Our clients are living happily in rural, regional and suburban areas.

Granny flats are usually located in the backyard of an existing house. Being permanently fixed on a foundation and needing to comply with council regulations may limit where they can go on the block.

A THOW is fully transportable if you need or want to move location. Our 6m – 8.4m Tiny Houses are built for full time living rather than frequently moving locations. If you intend to move often, you’ll need a truck style vehicle with towing capacity and to take house size into account.

Size

We keep the size of our Tiny House builds within the restrictions required for road transport in Australia. The maximum height is 4.3m, the maximum width is 2.5m and the maximum length is 9m (10.5m including the draw bar). 

Granny flats range in size depending on local council regulations and available space on the property, with 45m2 an average for consideration.  

Eco-friendly

Aussie Tiny Houses are built with a sustainable ethos in accordance with the Australian building code. With over 35 years of craftsmanship and attention to your individual needs, we will deliver your new home in three months.

Every home is insulated with Earthwool Insulation batts R3.5 on the walls and a double layer in the roof. We also offer insulated SMART glass and double glaze windows at an additional cost, greatly minimising the energy needed for heating and cooling. With water and electricity off grid capability you’ll save on daily expenses. For semi off grid set ups, connecting to utilities is as simple as connecting hoses to taps and plugs into sockets! 

Granny flats are typically connected to the mains water supply, electricity and gas supplied to the existing house on the property. They’re built according to the conventional ethos often influenced by council permits. Of course it is possible to connect a water tank and solar panels to a granny flat, council regulations permitting. 

Cost

Aussie Tiny Houses cost between $67,900 and $93,900 to design and build. Deciding to  own your own Tiny House is a great way to get relief from the burden of a mortgage. You’ll save time and stress with an Aussie Tiny House. Built to last, designed as a permanent home and delivered to your door in three months! 

Granny flats can range from $80,000 – $200,000 plus DA and council levies that vary depending on your local council regulations. A granny flat can add value to a property for sale in the future or provide rental income if regulations permit.

Downsizing to a granny flat or Tiny House will save you daily expenses. Smaller homes are cheaper to heat and cool and simply require less furniture!

Whether you’re simplifying your life for the freedom it brings, retiring or working from home, it is important to compare the granny flat vs. tiny house – the differences between each, and the benefits of both, to help you choose what option is right for you.