‘Smaller’ Manufactured Homes Built to HUD Code are the ‘Makes Sense’ Alternative for Those Seeking the ‘Tiny Home Lifestyle’
What is a Tiny Home? – Most of those television depictions seem to indicate that it is a structure often built upon a wheeled trailer offering under 400 square feet of living space. However, there are those of the tiny home community that suggest the definition should include any small home under 800 to 1000 square feet.The size thresholds are subjective. There are no formal definitions for tiny homes in nationally recognized building codes.
In spite of the growing demand for tiny homes, they have not boomed in the way cultural fascination with them would suggest – one reason? It’s exceedingly difficult to live in them legally.
Most local governments will have a minimum size requirement (often over 400 to 1,000 square feet) for single family homes, prohibiting construction and/or installations of tiny homes on their own plot of land. Those minimum size requirements and the absence of a national certification by the builder eliminates habitation, except perhaps as an auxiliary dwelling unit (granny flat, guest house, etc.)
The only form of small living that checks all the boxes for living small legally, comfortably, inexpensively, with financing options, are HUD Code single section manufactured homes with over 400 square feet of living space.
Non-code tiny home financing is typically not available from traditional lenders, as there isn’t a conventional way to perfect a lien on a non-recognized structure. There may be a limited number of independent tiny home builders offering personal property financing. However, most buyers pay cash or make their purchase utilizing credit cards.
Most manufactured home builders offer quality “small” 400 square feet-plus value oriented single section homes that will appeal to those seeking to downsize and simplify their lifestyle – and do so legally – and often less expensive and of higher quality and design than many of the tiny homes portrayed by television reality shows and – are titled – and can be financed by traditional manufactured home lenders.
What is a Park Model RV? – Major recognized manufactured home builders also build under 400 square feet Park Model RV’s that should be included in the preceding “tiny home” conversation. These units are generally constructed to a nationally recognized member construction code (ANSI-RVIA) that certifies builder’s stringent adherence to health, safety and road worthiness requirements.
Park Models produced by manufactured home builders are skillfully designed to maximize comfortable living spaces and incorporate the same quality of building materials, appliances, amenities and workmanship utilized in construction of the larger HUD Code manufactured homes and site-built homes.
Quality constructed Park Models are welcome in recreational park communities, campgrounds and are ideal for guest homes, accessory dwelling units, (ADU’s), vacation homes, second homes, etc. However, there are no known under 400 square feet homes or recreational vehicles that will meet requirements as continuing permanent housing.
