Finding a Place For Your Tiny House: Renting

So let’s say you’ve just built a wonderful Tumbleweed. Construction is over and you’re ready to move in, but where do you put it? Where can you live in your wee house on wheels?

Renting space on someone else’s property may not work for everyone, but it can be a great solution for those who don’t have the resources to purchase property of their own. I currently rent in my tiny house so I’d like to share some tips on how to find the perfect place for you.

Make a Picture Portfolio

Take good pictures of all aspects of your house and put them in a professional looking format so you can immediately show people what you’re talking about. Not only will the visual get them on the right page but having something organized to tell the story of your house makes you seem that much more credible. Carry it with you everywhere and show it off. Make sure to have pictures of everything you would tell prospective landlords about; water and electric connections, your propane tank, toilet etc. You may want to include some construction shots at the end. 

Tell Everyone

EVERYONE. You never know who knows who, so tell anyone that will listen what you’re up to.

Hand out Contact Cards

Give cards with your information to people you talk with. They may not be able to think of anything helpful in the moment, but if they do later you want them to be able to get back to you.

Follow Every Lead

If someone indicates that an acquaintance of theirs might be a possibility, see if they can get you in touch. It might not pan out, but then again it might so be proactive. My landlords are friends of friends of a family member.

Know What you Want

Think about what it is that you’re looking for and don’t leap for an opportunity if it doesn’t feel right. Even though I found a place in the first few days of my search that was happy to have me, it didn’t line up with what I was looking for and I found myself unenthused and nervous about it. My current spot is amazing and I knew as soon as I saw it that I couldn’t wait to live here. Don’t Give Up!

It might feel like you’re getting nowhere, but keep going and try not to let it get you down. I only spent 2 weeks actively searching for my new location but it seemed like ages and I was never going to find anything.

Renting in a tiny house can give you the best parts of the rental system. You own your house so you don’t have to worry about putting nails in the walls, you don’t have to be tied down by owning property, and if you should need to move, you can pick up your house and go. All that changes is what’s outside your window.

Ella Jenkins is a workshop presenter and writer for Tumbleweed Tiny House Company. She lives in a tiny house and writes about it in her blog Little Yellow Door.

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