Do you need a change of scenery but you are afraid of the regulations for tiny houses?
This small house, sometimes considered as a caravan, gives you all its secrets in this article which intends to review the obligations to which the owners of these small houses are subjected.
In 2014, tiny houses took a new turn in France with the Alur law (law for access to housing and renovated urbanism), as well as the Duflot II law, allowing to offer a legal existence to these light habitats. However, this type of habitat does not yet have its own regulation and is in a legal limbo concerning the type of housing it represents. It is the town hall's urbanism that has the last word and that juggles between mobile housing, such as caravans or mobile homes, because the foundations of tiny houses are a trailer, so it is destined to roll; or fixed housing like a traditional house, because of its design which is similar to a small house and because of the use of some owners who park it at the bottom of the garden and do not roll it.
Unclear regulations
Since the foundations of tiny houses are trailers, they are not considered as fixed dwellings on paper, which gives them financial and fiscal advantages such as not needing a building permit or not paying taxes such as housing tax. Thus, city councils are reluctant to let you move into a house that has so many financial advantages and that will save you so much money. However, it is important to find out in advance about parking, before starting a tiny house project, in order to avoid being evicted from the area where you want to install it. Indeed, the town planning authorities most often refer to the regulations for recreational caravans. It is therefore possible to park your tiny house in a private property in a zone where the PLU (Local Urban Plan) allows it. You can install your Tiny House without declaring it, however, there is a condition that obliges the owner to move his house every 3 months. So, to avoid this type of inconvenience, it is possible to apply for a permit at the town hall. You can also get more information on the HALEM (Habitants de Logements Ephémères ou Mobiles) association website, which will be able to give you more information on the subject.
Maximum authorized dimensions
Concerning the displacements, the tiny house as well as its trailer must not exceed a total weight authorized in load to 3500 kg, a length of 18m and a width of 2,55m to be able to circulate on the road. Moreover, the height is also limited to facilitate the displacement of the tiny house, it should not exceed 4.3m to be able to pass under the bridges. Beyond these dimensions, it will be considered as an exceptional convoy and you will have to make a request to the town hall to move it. Your tiny must of course be registered in order to be able to circulate.
Which permis for my tiny ?
Finally, moving your tiny house will require a B license as you know... Moreover, you may also need a B96 or BE license depending on the total weight of the vehicle and the Tiny House!
- With the B license : GVWR (towing vehicle + trailer) inferior or equal to 3500 kg
- If you have a B license + B96 training: GVWR (towing vehicle + trailer) greater than 3500 kg and less than or equal to 4250 kg
- And finally BE license : GVWR (tractor + trailer) greater than 4250 kg
Which insurance?
As you can imagine, your tiny house must be insured just like a house or a car. And guess what? It must be insured for both. Your house will be considered as a caravan on the road and will depend on the car insurance of the towing vehicle according to the regulations. On the other hand, it will be considered as a home when parked and will be covered by a comprehensive home insurance.
In order to avoid making a mistake, it is advisable to ask for help from your insurer, who will be able to advise you on the subject and offer you appropriate and complete coverage. Special contracts have been created to cover all your needs and to ensure maximum protection for your tiny house.
So, what about taxes ?
This represents an annual sum of 150€ maximum with a progressive decrease according to the years. Indeed, after 10 years, the tax will be only 100€, while after 15 years it will be cancelled.
As you can see, the tiny house has a few disadvantages, but above all many advantages. In addition to being an economical house, it is also ecological.
If you wish to join the adventure of these ecological habitats, Miniature Tiny House will be delighted to accompany you in your project. And if you have any doubts or questions, we let you have a look at our website or contact us, we will be happy to discuss tiny with you and answer all your questions!
Clém from the Miniature team 🌱