RENT TO OWN TINY HOMES: IS IT WORTH THE EFFORT?

As cost effective as a tiny home is, buying any building can put a significant dent on the wallet. To combat inflation and improve chances of becoming a homeowner, consumers are opting for rent to own tiny homes.

In this guide, we deep dive into how the system works, break down the cost, list cheaper options, elaborate on how to choose, and provide pros and cons of rent to own tiny homes so that you can make the most informed decision!

How Does Rent to Own Tiny Homes Work?

Rent-to-own tiny homes are straightforward once you get the jist of it. Here’s how the system works:

• First, you’ll settle on a shed or an already-built tiny home through ads
• Contact the dealer and negotiate the terms of renting to own before drafting a contract. Make sure to go over the maintenance cost coverage in this step.
• There are two types of lease agreements: one is the lease-option where at the end of the contract, you have the option to end it instead of buying. The other type is the lease-purchase where at the end of the contract, you’re legally the owner of the tiny home.
• The dealer may choose to name the purchase price at the beginning or simply wait until the end of the lease.
• When renting to own a tiny home, you’ll negotiate a rent payment plus a percentage of the down payment which will be paid every month.
• Besides the increased rent, you may be asked to negotiate an opt-in fee. The opt-in fee basically acts as a non-refundable security deposit for the tiny home. This fee officially marks you as the potential buyer and tenant.
• All the payments and agreements are sent to a financier or a credit lender to take care of a percentage of the costs as a loan.

How Much Does Renting to Own a Tiny Home Cost?

Renting to own a tiny home can vary widely in cost depending upon the modern build, size of land, and amenities. Fortunately, the cost of rent and down payment of a tiny home is way less than a traditional home. Here’s a general cost breakdown to keep in mind:

• A tiny home costs around $15,000 to $60,000 to build. This means that you will most likely pay somewhere between $150 to $500 every month, plus the down payment.
• The down payment comprises at least 2 to 5 percent of the financing loan. The monthly payment is usually negotiated to around $3000 in total. The larger sum you can provide in your down payment, the sooner you can be the owner of your tiny home.
• If there’s maintenance needed, you’re most likely to be charged for it. Depending upon the extent of damage, this could be priced between $150 and $350.
• While the opt-in fee is negotiable and there is no one quote available, it’s usually less than $700.
• When the lease has ended, you could choose to redesign the floor plan. Although this would cost more, it may be worth the investment.

Pros and Cons of Renting to Own a Tiny Home

Before selecting a tiny home for renting to own, it’s a great idea to narrow down the pros and cons. As popular as they are, tiny homes cannot offer the same feel as a traditional home, and the transition can be challenging. Here are a few pros that may pique your interest:

Tiny Homes Are Cost Effective

Rent-to-own tiny homes are the perfect workaround for bachelors and large families that cannot afford to put down a lot of money but aspire to be homeowners in the near future.

When renting to own, all you have to do is sign a lease and pay the rent along with the percentage of down payment; this may add up to as little as $500.

You don’t need much land for a rent to own a tiny house, so these work perfectly for startups, shops, warehouses and storage units. There are endless possibilities of what you can do once your tiny home is ready for you to enjoy.

Improve Your Credit Score

Another lovely benefit of renting to own a tiny home is that most property owners do not run a credit check. You can possibly become a homeowner at the end of the lease even if you have a bad credit score.

Since renting to own is already quite easy on the pocket, you do not have to pay much upfront and have enough time to improve your credit score even if the property owners choose to do a credit check.

Once your credit score is boosted, the tiny home can be easily financed for purchasing and you can enjoy having a home to your name. The best part is, most tiny homes are already furnished; this would save you even more money.

No Commitment

When renting to own a tiny home, the ultimate benefit is that there’s no commitment involved. This is especially true if you’re on a lease-option agreement.

You can use the space as your own for the time being, pay your dues, and enjoy the amenities. At the end, you can choose to leave the property instead of buying it.

This helps buyers experiment with floor plans and opens up opportunities for shoppers to look into different properties and finance them once the credit score has improved.

If you’re renting to own a tiny home on a lease-purchase agreement, you can choose to resell the property.

Customizable

A fun benefit of renting to own a tiny home is that it’s customizable. You can negotiate the percentage of down payment due every month to suit your finances. Depending upon a few factors, you can sometimes choose the lease agreement and communicate the terms so both parties can benefit.

Also, most tiny homes come furnished but if you rent to own a tiny house shell or a storage shed, it will be cheaper every month. That would also allow you full flexibility to adjust the design and space as you see fit.

Although there is no shortage of benefits, there are a few drawbacks to renting to own a tiny home; fortunately, none of the drawbacks are typically deal breakers.

Specific Floor Plan

Contrary to its benefit of personalisation, a tiny home isn’t built with a universal floor plan. This means that the end design may or may not suit you.

You can choose to view the property and select one that best fits your lifestyle, but building a tiny home from scratch again is expensive and time-consuming.

Pre-owned tiny homes are usually constructed with the needs of the landlord in mind instead of the person on the lease.

No Mobility

Another disadvantage of tiny homes is that most of them aren’t easy to move. If you’re a frequent traveller, you could rent to own a tiny home so you have a property in the city. It just wouldn’t be portable.

Unlike an RV, tiny homes have their foundation built on solid ground. This can make moving them cumbersome. The only workaround is if the tiny home doesn’t suit your lifestyle, you can choose to end the contract while on a lease-option agreement.

At the end of a lease-purchase contract, you’ll have to either resell the property or start renting-to-own to other people.

Home Inspection Difficulty

Since tiny homes are still only popular within a specific niche market, there aren’t many legal rules and building codes available for its construction. This is why you might have a tough time finding a home inspector to take a look at the property, its build quality, and its durability.

You’ll have to do your own research and get well-versed in tiny home architecture. This is especially true where foundation material, electrical, and plumbing are concerned. It is also important to make sure the property has good parking space. Lastly, don’t forget to read the fine print thoroughly before renting to own so there are no surprises in the long run.

Financing is Hard

If you have a bad credit score, getting finance for a tiny home while renting-to-own it can be quite difficult, if not impossible. There aren’t many finance lenders available for storage sheds, barndominiums, RVs, or other tiny homes.

This means you’ll have to settle on a rent, down payment plus opt-in fee, and possibly save up for three to five months in advance so there aren’t any hiccups in case of unfortunate job loss or financial setbacks.

Missing payments while you’re on lease on a tiny home can result in a bigger loss of property, so budget wisely.

What Are Some Cheaper Options for Renting to Own a Tiny Home

Although furnished tiny homes are quite cost-effective, they aren’t customisable. This may lead you to spend more money on floor plans after purchasing the property. To save up on extra costs, here are some alternative options for acquiring a rent-to-own tiny home.

Tiny House Shells

Perfect for families and startups that need a specific layout designed, shells for rent to own tiny homes are basically the entire framework of a tiny home but without the furnishings and interior work done.

Many tiny house shells may not even have a predetermined floor plan. The open concept of these allow you to choose the design that best suits your lifestyle. This can save you the expense of having a tiny home rebuilt in the future.

Tiny Storage Sheds

More popular within the real estate market of tiny homes, storage sheds are similar to a tiny house shell but come with fixed monthly payments. This allows you to budget your finances, get the interior work sorted within weeks, and essentially live in your tiny home on rent until you’re the homeowner.

Not only are storage sheds more durable than tiny homes, they are also built more regularly; this makes finding a home inspector easier, and negotiating good deals with the landlord is likely to go more smoothly.

What to Consider When Renting to Own a Tiny Home?

Whether you’re inspecting a tiny home for buying purposes or already renting to own the property, here are a few key points to keep in mind which will help ensure you get the most out of your hard-earned money:

Property Access

One of the main concerns of investing in a tiny home is the space of land. It’s true that you may not get much except for a home and possibly a driveway but there are ways you can get the property to work in your favor.

Make sure it comes with a dedicated parking space. If you’re renting to own a tiny home on wheels like an RV, find a place that provides excellent access to commercial spaces and allows you a decent place to stay.

If you’re converting your tiny house shell into a workspace, ensure the neighbours know about it in case of extra noise or building regulations you must know about.

Utilities on Rent

When renting to own a tiny home, you are probably going to live in it , so make sure that the lease mentions access to utilities.

You’ll definitely need a mailbox to receive and send mail, a garbage disposal site to get rid of waste and ideally, a parking space for guests. Utilities might cost you a bit extra, but these utilities and investments are going to benefit you once you’re the homeowner.

Do your homework and settle on a property that best fits your aesthetic. If you plan to raise a family in the near future, you’ll need extra rooms so a tiny house shell would work nicely. If you’re looking for a bachelor pad, a furnished tiny home will be perfect.

Can You Build a Tiny Home by Yourself?

Yes, it is possible to build a tiny home by yourself. There are kits available as well to get you started on the construction even if you have limited experience. You will need to do extensive research on the best materials, electrical work and plumbing.

Here is the order of construction you’ll need to follow to build a tiny home by yourself:

• First, find a land with adequate space or a trailer to convert into a tiny home. You could also purchase an RV for a tiny home on wheels.
• Then, get the primary framework installed which includes marking the sides and pouring the cement in.
• Once it’s dry, fix the siding and you’ll have the edges of the tiny house shell ready.
• Prepare the interior by placing the framers and raised elements in. This is where you’ll need a floor plan.
• After the framers are in, get the roofing ready.
• Contact an electrician and a plumber to install the heating, AC and wastewater necessities.
• Furnish and the tiny home is ready!

Frequently Asked Questions

Is renting to own a tiny home worth it?

Yes, renting to own a tiny home is worth it. It’s cost-effective, is a long term investment, and it has great value. Plus, there’s no added commitment at the end of the lease. If the tiny house life didn’t suit you, you could choose to leave after trying out the property. If you buy a tiny house shell, you have the option to get a customised floor plan that serves you perfectly.

Can I rent to own a tiny home if I have a bad credit score?

Yes, you can rent to own a tiny home if you have a bad credit score. Most owners of tiny homes do not credit check, but the lease is essentially given as a loan and failure to pay back that loan can result in immediate loss of the home. This is why it is important that you make sure to save up for three months in advance.

Who covers maintenance while the tiny home is on lease?

Usually, the tenant on lease covers the maintenance costs of the tiny home when renting to own; however, the terms and conditions can be decided before drafting the lease. Also, make sure to get the home inspected before signing the papers. This ensures there are no surprises and financial setbacks.

Is it okay if I miss a payment on my rent-to-own lease?

No, it isn’t okay if you miss a payment on your rent-to-own lease. Depending upon the terms and conditions decided on the draft, this could result in immediate loss of the down payment and utilities. Be sure to talk to the landlord and read the papers before signing them.

Can I get a loan when renting to own a tiny home?

Yes, you can get a loan when renting to own a tiny home. It should be noted that it can be difficult to finance the property, especially if the city does not have proper zonal regulations for it or you have a bad credit score.

Brief Summary

Renting to own tiny homes is a wonderful solution for aspiring homeowners that need time to improve their credit score, don’t want to commit to a house, want to avoid banking frustrations of loans and mortgages, and love a customised design.