FAQs tagged with 'Purchasing / Buying'

Unfortunately, you can’t use your KiwiSaver to buy a HouseMe transportable home directly — but there are a few ways it can play a role if you already own or plan to buy land.

KiwiSaver first-home withdrawals are designed for buying a property where the house and land are purchased together under one legal title. Because HouseMe homes are built off-site and delivered later, they don’t initially meet that requirement. The home isn’t legally tied to the land until it’s permanently installed and added to the property’s title — which is where the KiwiSaver rules get tricky.

Here’s how it breaks down in real terms:

Why you can’t use KiwiSaver upfront

KiwiSaver providers can only release funds once there’s a legal property title that includes the dwelling. With HouseMe, that’s not the case at the time of purchase — it’s still considered a movable asset.
So even though it’s a legitimate home, it doesn’t yet meet the legal definition of a “house purchase” under KiwiSaver regulations.

The technical (but messy) way you could use it

It’s technically possible to use KiwiSaver, but the process is backwards and rarely worth the hassle:

• You’d need to fully fund the home upfront yourself — through cash or finance.
• The home would then be transported, installed, and connected on your land.
• Once it’s permanently fixed to the site and legally recorded on your land title, you could then apply to draw down your KiwiSaver funds, effectively reimbursing yourself after the fact.

In short, KiwiSaver won’t fund the purchase itself — only after the house is complete, installed, and legally recognised as part of your property. That timing makes it nearly impossible for most buyers to rely on KiwiSaver as their main funding source.

How you can use your KiwiSaver effectively

If you’re starting from scratch, the smart way to involve KiwiSaver is to use it to buy the land first.
Once you own the section, you can then purchase and install a HouseMe home on it using your own funds or through our in-house finance solution, FinanceMe.

Many customers take this route:

1. Use KiwiSaver for the land purchase (since it has a legal title).
2. Fund the build and delivery of the HouseMe unit separately.
3. Once the home is sited and added to the title, you’ve effectively created a full house-and-land property that builds long-term equity.

A practical example

Let’s say you buy a $250,000 section using your KiwiSaver and a small top-up loan. You then finance a $130,000 HouseMe home through FinanceMe. Once the home is delivered, installed, and added to the title, your property is now worth, say, $420,000. You’ve used KiwiSaver exactly as intended — to help secure permanent housing — just in a roundabout way.

Why it should change

It would make sense for KiwiSaver rules to evolve. Off-site homes like HouseMe are permanent, consented, code-compliant dwellings — they just happen to be built smarter and faster. The current system doesn’t reflect that reality, and it’s stopping a lot of Kiwis from accessing affordable housing solutions.

Until those rules catch up, KiwiSaver can only help before (buying land) or after (reimbursement once the home is on title), not during.

If you’re ready to get started, our FinanceMe option bridges that gap — it’s quick, flexible, and designed for people who don’t want to wait for outdated systems to catch up.

We sure do! We offer a few different finance solutions to help you get into a new, affordable home as soon as possible.

Unless you already own land, getting finance from a bank for a transportable home is almost impossible — that’s where FinanceMe comes in.

Our flexible finance options let you secure a home with:

• Finance with deposit – standard option with flexible terms and no limits on home size.
• No-deposit finance – available for homes under $100,000 (our 3m-wide range).
• Rent-to-Buy – for those needing time to build credit before converting to a finance contract.

All options come with manageable repayments and a clear path to ownership.

If you’d like to learn more about how HouseMe finance works and whether it’s right for you, get in touch with our team — we’ll happily walk you through it.

You can also get started on our website [here].

Basic criteria:

• Ideally, you have a full-time income (not always required).
• You live in New Zealand.
• Up to three people can apply jointly.
• No land or equity ownership required — the landowner simply signs a one-page permission form allowing the home on their property.

Key details:

• Interest rates: 14.95% – 19.90%, based on credit, deposit, and risk profile.
• This is not a mortgage, and is similar to a personal loan.
• Term length: up to 10 years.
• Repayments from $200 per week.
• No limit to loan amount.
• Minimum deposit required for higher-value homes.
• KiwiSaver funds cannot be used.
• Can only be used for the home purchase, not site works or council related costs

Yes — we sure do! Our Rent-to-Buy option is designed to help more Kiwis get into a home of their own, even if they’re not quite ready for traditional finance.

It’s perfect if you’re building your credit history or don’t yet have a deposit saved. You’ll make affordable weekly payments while living in your new home, and once you’re ready, you can easily transition into full ownership through one of our finance options.

Rent-to-Buy gives you a clear path to owning your home — no banks, no endless waiting, just progress.

If you’d like to learn more or check if you qualify, get in touch with our team — we’ll walk you through how it all works and help you get started.

How Rent-to-Buy Works

• Available on homes $100,000 and under — this includes our 3m-wide range.
• You select your new home and enter a Rent-to-Buy agreement.
• You’ll make fixed weekly payments while living in your home, just like rent — but those payments go toward ownership.
• Over time, you build a solid payment record and credit history.
• Once you meet the finance criteria, your agreement is converted into a standard finance contract.
• From there, it’s officially yours — and you’ve already been living in it the whole time.

Rent-to-Buy is a practical way to get started when banks say no, giving you stability, structure, and a genuine path to ownership.

What’s the Difference Between Finance, No-Deposit Finance, and Rent-to-Buy?

• Finance (with deposit):
  The standard option. You pay a deposit, sign a finance contract, and own the home immediately. Best suited for buyers with stable income and good credit.
• No-Deposit Finance:
  Designed for homes under $100,000, this option lets you secure a home without an upfront deposit. You’ll need solid credit and affordability to qualify.
• Rent-to-Buy:
  Ideal if you’re working on improving your credit score or can’t yet meet finance approval. You rent the home while building a payment track record, then convert to full finance once you qualify.

Yes, we do! We have show homes on display in 7 locations - Auckland, Whangarei, Cambridge, Hastings, Tauranga, Palmerston North, and Christchurch. You can view opening times for all sites by clicking here. 

All show home sites have the same three units on display: 52sqm Premium Three-Bedroom (12.5 x 4.4m), 42.8sqm Premium Two-Bedroom (12.5 x 3.6m), and the 30sqm Deluxe One-Bedroom (10.4 x 3m).

We deliver our units Nationwide.

Yes — in most cases, you do.

Don’t be fooled by anyone who tells you otherwise. In New Zealand, if a home has plumbing and/or is being lived in, it’s classed as a dwelling — and that means it requires building consent to make sure it meets the New Zealand Building Code.

All HouseMe homes are fully consented before leaving our factory and come with a Code Compliance Certificate (CCC). This certificate confirms the home itself meets all requirements of the Building Code.

However, you’ll typically need to apply for a second building consent for your land — usually just for foundations, drainage, and sewage connections specific to your site.

We deliver homes across around 68 different council districts across New Zealand, and every region has slightly different planning and zoning rules. While it’s impossible for us to know the exact requirements for every property, we can provide guidance and point you in the right direction if you’re unsure where to start.

In some cases, a Resource Consent may also be required — for example, if your property sits within a special zoning area, overlay, or coastal zone.

Code Compliance Certificate (CCC)

Every new HouseMe unit is built under a full Building Consent and issued with a Code Compliance Certificate (CCC) once it passes its final inspection.

This CCC applies to the HouseMe home itself, not the land or site-specific works.
On-site elements like foundations, decks, ramps, or sewage connections are covered under your own site consent.

Once delivered, your home has already passed inspection. The formal CCC document is usually issued to HouseMe 6–8 weeks after that inspection. If you’d like a copy, just get in touch with our team.

Resource or On-Site Building Consent

If your project needs extra approvals (for example, for earthworks, drainage, or unique site conditions), these are managed separately through your local council. We recommend engaging a local draughtsperson or planner to help with the process.

Coastal Properties

If your site is within about 1,000 m of the coast, you may need to upgrade to a coastal cladding system to meet local requirements. This is often triggered as part of the full site consent process.

Regional Differences

Rules can vary significantly across regions. We strongly encourage every customer to open dialogue with their local council early on — it’s the best way to confirm exactly what’s needed for your property.

Yes — every brand-new HouseMe home is built under a full Building Consent and comes with its own Code Compliance Certificate (CCC) once construction is complete.

The CCC confirms that your home has been inspected and approved as meeting all requirements of the New Zealand Building Code. It’s an essential document that gives you peace of mind your home is built to the same legal standard as any permanent house.

The CCC applies specifically to the HouseMe home itself as built in our factory. It doesn’t cover site-specific work such as foundations, drainage, or decks — those are handled separately through your local council as part of your site consent.

Once your home has passed its final inspection, the CCC is formally issued to HouseMe within about 6–8 weeks. If you need a copy of your CCC, simply get in touch with our team, and we can provide it.

More info can be found here

No, not as standard. We are open to making small changes to your unit if you're looking at going 100% off-grid i.e. Gas cooking. We do not supply nor install composting units or solar. You will need to organise that yourself once the unit is on-site.

Since our units are issued with a CCC, we have to install some form of toilet whether it be gravity-fed or with a macerator.

No. We install toilets with either a macerator or a gravity-fed plumbing system. Due to NZ Building Code laws, we must install an acceptable toilet for the unit to comply with and meet NZ Building Code Standards. Composting toilets do not comply with the NZ Building Code, so we do not supply them.

We do not offer solar as an option as the installation needs to be done by a proper technician and is also very site-specific - they must face the right direction etc.
We are also unable to transport solar panels with our units. We advise our customers to go to market and find the best solution once the unit is delivered. Many customers have installed solar. We do not install 12-volt cables or componentry.

No — we do not build our homes on trailers or wheels.

All HouseMe units are constructed on a galvanised steel chassis with full-length skids, designed for strength, stability, and easy delivery. We used to fit wheels on some smaller units purely for transport purposes, but no longer do.

Some companies will tell you that if a tiny home is built on wheels or a trailer, it doesn’t require council consent because it’s “technically a vehicle.” That’s not entirely true — and it’s something we strongly advise you to tread carefully with.

When a company builds on a trailer, they’re legally registering the unit as a vehicle (with a WOF and registration). Because it’s not classed as a “building,” they don’t have to meet the New Zealand Building Code. In other words, they’re building a vehicle — not a house.

This loophole has led to a flood of low-quality “DIY” and unregulated builders entering the market — and unfortunately, it’s created a lot of cowboys.

At HouseMe, we’ve made a deliberate decision to stay well clear of that. Every new HouseMe home is built to NZ Building Code standards and issued with a Code Compliance Certificate (CCC). That means your home is legally recognised, safe, insurable, and built to last.  Read More Here.


 

HouseMe homes come with commercial-grade carpet in the main living areas and commercial-grade vinyl flooring in wet areas such as the kitchen and bathroom. The specific flooring type and style may vary by unit, with a mix of different carpet and vinyl options used.

We cannot supply a home without suitable floor coverings, as this is required to meet NZ Building Code standards.

Yes, the tiny houses are made with NZ-made Colorsteel EPS & PIR panels. This 100mm thick 'sandwich panel' comprises pre-painted steel skins over a fire retardant-treated Expanded Polystyrene (EPS) core. All new homes are built to meet the latest H1 insulation standards. We tailor our new homes to meet the specific climate zone where your new home will be situated.

How do you get a WATER supply connected to the Unit?

• Connecting water to the Unit is straightforward – simply attach your garden or drinking water hose to the exterior water inlet valve. For a more durable solution, you have the option to arrange for a plumber to establish a permanent connection.
• Due to Health & Safety regulations, we no longer provide 9kg LPG gas bottles. The units are designed to accommodate gas bottles ranging from 9 to 45kg, which you will need to procure independently.
• Each Unit is supplied with a Gas Certification to ensure safety and compliance.
• Should your water supply come from a tank or bore, we recommend the addition of a water filter for enhanced purity. We no longer install these during the build process.
• The Unit's gas-powered systems require 'Mains Pressure' to operate efficiently.
• A pressure-reducing valve is installed in the Unit to mitigate any issues arising from excessively high water pressure.

How do we power the units?

HouseMe units are designed for easy and safe electrical connection, but you will need a qualified electrician to set up the power supply on-site.

Power Connection Requirements:

• You’ll need an outdoor caravan round-pin power point installed by an electrician, with the choice of either 16-amp or 32-amp capacity.
• Each unit comes with a 15-meter caravan-type extension lead for connection. If a longer lead is required, please let us know at the time of ordering.

Compliance & Certification:

• Upon delivery, your unit will come with an Electrical Certificate and a Warrant of Electrical Fitness (WoEF), ensuring it meets all safety and regulatory standards.

Important Considerations for Deluxe Units:

• Deluxe units typically require a 32-amp connection for full electrical functionality.
• If you choose a gas cooking upgrade, the power requirement drops to 16 amps, as gas appliances reduce overall electrical demand.

Our team can provide further guidance on power requirements to ensure a seamless setup at your site.

Yes! All new HouseMe builds come with a 3-year workmanship guarantee, ensuring your home is built to last and meets the highest quality standards.

Beyond our workmanship guarantee, many of the components used in our homes—such as windows, roofing, and appliances—come with extended manufacturer warranties, often exceeding HouseMe’s standard warranty period. These additional warranties provide further peace of mind, covering key elements of your home for years to come.

Additionally, as part of the Code Compliance Certificate (CCC) process, all new homes in New Zealand must be built to have a minimum life expectancy of 50 years. HouseMe homes are designed with durability in mind, using high-quality materials that can withstand the test of time. From the NZ-made Colorsteel Thermopanel construction to our Low-E double-glazed windows, every component is selected to ensure strength, insulation, and longevity.

When you choose a HouseMe home, you’re not just investing in an affordable and modern living solution—you’re investing in a long-term, high-quality home that will stand strong for generations.