Harrad made the decision to convert the garage when she moved into her home last year after renting it out for 20 years. Originally, she intended for the annexe to be somewhere for her mother to stay when she visited, but then she decided to rent it out to holidaymakers too, with Frome attracting plenty of visitors.
Harrad shelled out £16,000 from her savings for building works plus £5,000 for additional fixtures and fittings to kit out the tiny space.
To date, the annexe has averaged £600 to £1,000 of income per month, and Harrad is strict about putting it aside. She hopes to recoup the cost and replenish her savings within two years and then use the income to clear her mortgage early.
“Then, in the future I hope to be able to help my daughters with the cost of university,” she adds.
“We live in an age where we seek an emotive response from somewhere, something different, a uniqueness that stands out,” says Alex Wilson, who set up holiday let business Host Unusual in 2016 in response to what he saw as an emerging trend.
“Tiny homes, including shepherd’s huts, have become popular, offering a nice mix of modern luxuries, comfort and nostalgic charm,” he says.
‘Business has been brisk’
Tiny holiday lets are not only a way to profit from existing garden space or outbuildings, but they are also more affordable to run with low overheads and cheaper energy costs.
When it comes to plumbing, annexes can tap into existing systems, and yurts often make use of water tanks and compostable toilets, keeping costs to a minimum.
Set-up fees are also comparatively small, with basic shepherd’s huts or lodges available for under £20,000, depending on model and finish.
Willowfen Retreat, just outside Kings Lynn in Norfolk, is a purpose built shepherd’s hut, complete with luxury fixtures and fittings, including a stove heater, double bed, shower room and its own garden space.
Amanda Sedgewick, 60, decided to purchase the hut after moving to the adjacent property with husband John, 58, in 2014.
“We are lucky enough to have a smallholding of three acres, and as we live in a lovely touristy area, I decided to put our land and tranquil surroundings to good use,” she says.
