A NEW tiny home village has sprung up, where you can rent a “flatpack” home for just £370 a month and it only needs one person to set it up.
The Paradise Tiny Home Community in California, Desert Hot Springs, looks like something out of IKEA, with 19ft-wide “Boxabl” homes that arrive on the back of a lorry and are unpacked and built in just 60 minutes.
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The one-bed, one-storey pads cost £67,000 to buy and come in at 361 square feet with soaring 10ft ceilings.
They’re already proving a hit, with families moving into the seven latest arrivals at the village, which opened in November 2024 after six years of planning.
And while the average two-bed house in the area costs £1,400 a month to rent, these pocket-sized palaces start from just £370 – making them a fraction of the price.
On-site manager Jonathan Taylor, 47, said: “We are the first tiny home community that came up in California.
“The Boxabl is a small, tiny home with 361 square feet and 10-foot ceilings.
“The kitchen is set up just like a normal home with all full-size appliances. It’s a studio feel, but it features a nice-sized bathroom and ample cabinetry.
“Even the shower hits seven feet up, so tall people can fit underneath it very well.”
The “flatpack” homes unfold from what Taylor described as “a skinny piece” pulled by a truck into a fully functional dwelling.
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The village was the brainchild of founder TJ Modi, who arrived in the US from India in the mid-90s with just £80 and built his dream community from scratch.
Taylor explained: “Here in California, housing has grown to be unaffordable for a lot of people. You find multiple families living in a two-bedroom, two-bath home.
“People are moving in this direction so they can afford more in their lives and have a more sustainable income.
“We see a vision of it being a community, not a neighborhood. In a community, you have self-worth with other people.
“You can sit and converse at the fire pits, play billiards at the clubhouse, or jump in the pool together.”
The village already boasts an eclectic mix of residents, from a retired cop to a yoga teacher, lawyer, dentist, doctor and builder, and the project is still expanding.
Tiny homes there cost between £55,000 and £160,000, depending on size and style, though county rules state they must be 400 square feet or smaller and mounted on a chassis rather than a foundation.
For those unsure about downsizing, there’s even a “Tiny Home Experience” stay, where would-be buyers can test out the lifestyle for £100 a night before committing.
Taylor said: “I always urge people looking to come here to do a tiny home experience day.
“Some people might say they’re going to downsize to a tiny home, but once they get into it, they don’t like it.
“I’m going to be completely honest and upfront with everybody.”
The community, which mixes RVs with the new flatpack homes, is in its first phase, but plans are already in place to expand with even more tiny houses and new amenities like poolside movies, bingo, bocce ball and pickleball.
Taylor added: “I love the peaceful aspect of it. The two mountain views that we have in our community are unobstructed.
“It is a healing place in the desert to me.”
Tiny Homes FAQs
The tiny house movement began in the USA before gaining popularity in the UK.
What is a tiny home?
Tiny houses are small, fully-equipped living spaces designed to lead a more sustainable, off-grid lifestyle. Although they vary in size and shape, tiny homes tend to be between 15 and 50 square metres in capacity, made of sustainable materials and are easier — and cheaper — to maintain than traditional brick homes.
Are tiny homes legal in the UK?
As long as the tiny house doesn’t exceed 19.8m x 6.7m in size, it is defined as a caravan in UK law. Therefore, tiny houses are classed as legal additional living space.
Can you get a mortgage for a tiny home?
The small size and relatively low cost of tiny houses means they’re not generally considered eligible for a mortgage. However, there are plenty of options to take out a loan to fund your dreams of the perfect, moveable home.
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