June 29, 2025, 9:44 am | Read time: 3 minutes
Get rid of old or unnecessary baggage, downsize, and make do with less space: More and more people are considering buying a tiny house. However, this decision should not be made without proper preparation.
A tiny house offers the opportunity to own a home in a very small space. However, such a purchase should be well thought out in advance. Just because it involves a small space doesn’t mean the decision should be any less prepared. The magazine “Stiftung Warentest Finanzen” (07/2025) has compiled important tips to consider before buying a tiny house.
3 Important Tips for Buying a Tiny House
The magazine provides an overview in the current issue of what to consider before buying a tiny house. Despite the small area, planning and preparation should be done just as thoroughly as before purchasing a larger home.
1. Know Your Own Preferences
Before deciding to buy a mini-house, you should ask yourself the following questions: Do I want to live in the small house permanently, or should it just be a weekend retreat? This could also determine what requirements the parking space and tiny house must meet. The equipment must also be discussed in advance–is the standard sufficient, or are there special requests?
Additionally, the question of the size of the property or a possible garden should be clarified in advance. Similarly, factors like access to public transportation or proximity to supermarkets should be considered.
2. Visit Model Homes
Another important point before buying a tiny house is visiting model homes at the manufacturer’s site. “Stiftung Warentest Finanzen” recommends obtaining certificates for the desired model and having them checked by an architect if in doubt. This ensures that the house meets important thermal protection, safety, and structural standards, which may even be legally required.
3. Obtain Permits
Planning and preparation are crucial when buying a tiny house. Even though the house is small, you can’t just place it on your green lawn. It requires the appropriate permit. Therefore, you should gather all information about the property and house early on and then clarify with architects and authorities whether it is even possible to place the tiny house at the desired location.
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The Pros and Cons of a Tiny House
If you want to acquire a tiny house, you should weigh the pros and cons in advance. This way, you can ultimately determine whether such a home in a small space is really for you or not.
Pros
- Lower Costs: The dream of homeownership can be fulfilled much sooner thanks to lower costs–at least compared to a typical home, which is usually much larger and therefore more expensive.
- More Flexibility: Many choose a mobile tiny house. This offers the advantage of being able to change locations more frequently.
- Less Work: Regularly cleaning and maintaining a large house can take a lot of time. With a mini-house, it’s much more relaxed. After all, you live on much less space and therefore need to spend less time on household chores.
Also interesting: How to Properly Secure a Tiny House Against Theft and Burglary
Cons
- Lack of Space: What is a dream for some is simply cramped for others. In a tiny house, you have to limit yourself to the essentials and have few options for retreat.
- Noise and Smells: You not only have to live minimally but also inevitably participate in all activities of the other resident. If many aromas are cooked or loud music is played, you inevitably notice it.
- Insurance and Financing: Since the form of mini-houses hasn’t been around for long, the issue of insurance is somewhat problematic. And even though the houses are significantly cheaper to purchase, it’s not easy to get a loan because they are often mobile and not permanently anchored to the ground.
With material from dpa