6 Things You Need To Know Before Renting a Tiny House
Most folks usually stay in hotels or Airbnb when they travel, but more and more people are trying out tiny houses for short trips. You can rent these small homes, which are less than 400 square feet, all around the US. Some of them are a bit quirky, while others are fancier, but they all offer a different and cool way to travel. Here are 6 things to think about before booking a night in a tiny house.
No 1.
When you’re looking into staying in a tiny house for a night, you might notice that the prices can be quite different, even if the houses are kind of similar in size.
In the world of houses, it’s all about where they are, and the same goes for tiny houses you can rent. Since these small homes are scattered all over the country, the prices can change based on where they are and how fancy they are.
So, if one tiny house is way cheaper than another, it doesn’t mean it won’t be a fun place to stay.
No 2.
Picking where to stay is important, just like when you choose a hotel or other place to rent. This is extra important for tiny houses because you can find them all over the US.
Before you book a tiny house, think about the kind of experience you want. Do you want to be in a busy city, or do you want to be in a quiet place surrounded by trees? Do you want to be close to fun stuff to do, or do you just want to relax in your tiny house? Figuring this out will help you decide on the right location.
There are also RV parks and trailer parks all around the US with tiny houses for rent. I stayed in one near a beautiful lake, and it was turning into a tiny house community – I really liked it. But if you go for a park, make sure to check if it’s by the water or close to cool places.
If parks aren’t your thing, you might like a tiny house in a retreat, like the ones at Collective Retreats. It’s another option to consider.
No 3.
Tiny houses come in different sizes, so it’s a good idea to check how much space they have before you decide. Usually, these houses are 400 square feet or even smaller. Normally, they’re comfy for two people, so if you’re staying overnight, you’ll probably be with just one other person. Some might find that a bit crowded.
Now, there are families who manage to fit into tiny houses and make it work, but it’s essential to make sure everyone in your group is okay with the small space and not having much privacy before you book. This way, you can avoid any problems later on.
No 4.
Before you decide to stay in a tiny house, it’s important to make sure the way it’s designed and set up works for you. Unlike hotels where you can expect to have a bed, nightstand, bathroom, and TV, tiny houses might not have all those things, or they might be arranged differently.
For example, many tiny houses have bedrooms up in a loft. If climbing up and down a ladder every night doesn’t sound comfy for you, you might want to look for a different kind of tiny house. Some have bedrooms on the ground floor, but those can be a bit tricky to find.
Also, bathtubs aren’t very common in tiny houses. If you need a bathtub to bathe kids, check if the tiny house has one. And if you love cooking at home, see if the tiny house has a full kitchen because not all of them do.
Make sure the design and layout of the tiny house fit what you need, so you’ll feel more at home when you stay there.
No 5.
Start building a relationship with the owner of the tiny house before you get there because you won’t have a concierge once you arrive. When checking in a hotel, you’re usually greeted by a front desk person and a concierge.
Therefore, it’s a good idea to reach out to the owner of the tiny house or of the RV park so you have a point person. When you arrive, you can call upon them to help you get acclimated to the tiny house or to answer any questions about the neighborhood. Basically, you’re creating a concierge where there isn’t one.
No 6.
Once you’ve booked your trip, make sure to pack only the essentials – big suitcases won’t fit well in tiny houses.
In most tiny homes, there’s not a lot of space for storing things, but the owners usually find clever ways to keep stuff organized. So, don’t expect big dressers or closets for your clothes.
If you bring a big suitcase, it will take up a bunch of space in the tiny house, which is already pretty small. And the owners of tiny houses know how quickly things can get messy. To avoid that, try to pack light and keep things simple.