Tiny house

A tiny house is a small, temporary dwelling that can be placed on or directly adjacent to an existing property with residential use in a rural area. The dwelling offers an affordable and accessible housing solution, especially for first-time buyers, but is not exclusively intended for this target group.
The tiny house is not intended as permanent living space and is not for rent. At the end of the term, the occupant must move on to a regular home.

What Requirements a tiny house meet?

  • The tiny house is placed on or directly adjacent to an existing property with a residential function. Within the Agricultural or Agricultural with Values zoning categories, a tiny house may be permitted as an additional company residence.
  • Only one tiny house per property is permitted.
  • The property is permitted for a maximum period of 15 years, via a temporary environmental permit. 
  • The home has a maximum surface area of 60 m² and is suitable for all stages of life.
  • The house blends in well with the landscape.
  • The house is sustainable and meets the BENG requirements. 
  • There must be a good living environment.
  • The property meets the local quality criteria set out in Article 2.4 of the Rural Areas Assessment Framework.
  • A tiny house is a temporary housing solution. After the maximum term of 15 years has expired, the house must be removed and the occupant must move on to regular housing.

It is advisable to carefully read the policy rules and quality criteria in advance, so that you know whether your plan Requirements the Requirements .

How do you apply for this?

  • Contact the municipality to discuss your initiative.
  • You can apply for a temporary environmental permit via the Environmental Permit Desk.
  • If granted, the permit is valid for a maximum of 15 years.

Privacy

All information you provide to us is handled with care. Personal and/or address details will only be used for the purpose for which you provided them.

More information

If you would like to know whether a tiny house is possible on your property, please contact us.

Local regulations

Local quality criteria for adding a property in the rural area of the municipality of Aalten
 

Read the story of Luuk, who lives in a tiny house, here.

Luuk Eppingbroek's tiny house

"You could say that this house was built by and with the Haart."
A few streets away from the pre-care home is Luuk Eppingbroek's tiny house. Since the beginning of this year, he has been happily living there, on the grounds of his parents' farmhouse. "It's great that this is possible," he says with satisfaction.
The idea originated years ago, when Luuk, as a board member of Atlantic, attended an information evening organized by Haarts Belang. Alderman spoke about new forms of housing, including tiny houses. "I wasn't thinking about housing at all at the time, but it stuck with me." After graduating, he realized how difficult it is to buy a home as a first-time buyer. The tiny house plan resurfaced, and his parents were immediately enthusiastic.

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Together, they visited tiny houses in the neighborhood and spoke with construction companies. However, Luuk decided that he would rather build the house himself. "We thought: we want to do this ourselves and maybe even better," he says with a wink. With the help of friends and neighbors, it became a real Haarts project. The foundation was laid with the help of a neighbor, a family friend supervised the permits and surveys, and friends helped with odd jobs.

Permit application

The permit procedure took 26 weeks and required various studies, such as flora and fauna research and proof that the house is nearly energy neutral. He is positive about the municipality: "We received a quick and clear response. That's not something you hear everywhere."
He is very happy with his new home. "I was afraid it would be small, but that's not the case at all. Friends can still come over for a beer."
Very important
He is cautiously optimistic about the future: "There will continue to be a housing shortage in the Netherlands, so I hope there will still be room for this type of housing, just like for informal care homes. Without the help of friends and neighbors, I could never have done this. And thanks to that information evening, I even knew that tiny houses were possible. Haarts belang is extremely important; it literally gave me a home!"