In the Netherlands, it is very difficult to legally arrange a container home. In other countries, it is much more common to live in such a home. In other countries, people are much more open by default. On the Internet you can find advertisements or information about this type of housing.
Inform well in advance where you prefer to live. Per region in your new country, land prices can vary a lot. Nowadays there are many providers of container homes. It is customary to buy a property and not rent it.
Thus, there are relatively few container homes in the Netherlands. It is mostly students who move to the Netherlands or asylum seekers who end up in such housing. There are people who complain about their housing.
Complaints container homes
Some people experience that it gets too hot/cold quickly and the houses are too small. There is only one small window to ventilate and the rent is way too high. Quickly mold appears throughout the house and it is difficult to remove. The fire department has been concerned about many container homes in the Netherlands for years.
The material is rapidly combustible. If many houses of this type are standing together and a fire occurs, an entire complex can burn down. And quickly, too. Consider a major fire in Amsterdam on Nov. 13, 2022.
Some 75 container homes burned down in a short time. In addition, 60 homes were declared uninhabitable. One resident allegedly set his own house on fire. Initially, six years in prison were demanded against this resident.
This resident, upon returning home, saw that his bed was on fire. He tried to put out the fire himself, but was unsuccessful. The prosecution believes he did not call for help or did so too late.
Advantages container homes
A container home can be made fast and customized. For example, you can have one or more large windows installed. In the future, you can place one or more containers next to or above it up to 7 floors. If you add up the total price, you will be much cheaper by default than with a normal house.
A container house is easy to move. So if you want to move, it can be arranged in no time. The house is very strong and lasts a very long time. If you order a house, then you can arrange in advance that the house is already fully furnished.
Disadvantages of container homes
You are on the first floor so that is more prone to burglary. If you live in an area that can be prone to flooding, then the first floor is also a disadvantage. Homes can be on the narrow side for some people.
A home can be made quickly, but it usually requires a permit from the municipality. So if you need a house urgently, it is useful to inquire when such a permit is arranged. This can vary from municipality to municipality, so in a normal house you may be able to get one sooner. Also, sometimes a permit is only temporary.
If it is good, they can tell you in advance how many years the permit is for. The atmosphere may not be as warm or cozy as in a normal home. By default, there is less space in a container home than in a normal home. If you want to have a lot modified, you may be more expensive than with a normal house.
Which countries?
In the year 2015, you had the largest container housing neighborhood in the world in the Netherlands. The US is the most innovative in building container homes. Australia and Britain are also good in this field. In Spain or Portugal, a container house can also be arranged.
In Spain, Barcelona was first and then the islands of La Palma followed. In Spain they don’t really get excited about it. People assume by default that in a container house there is less comfort.
Greetings, have a nice day and until next time!
