Hirer Information

Rental Cabins FAQs

Thinking about renting a cabin but not sure how delivery, setup, services or council requirements work? Here are answers to the questions we are asked most often.

Delivery, Access & Setup

How are the cabins delivered?

Our cabins are towed to your property by our specialist drivers using suitable 4WD vehicles and the required equipment for over-dimension loads.

We need clear, unobstructed access from the road to the proposed cabin site. For insurance reasons, we cannot normally deliver a cabin across a neighbour's property.

If you're unsure whether access is suitable, talk to us before booking and we can help assess what is required.

Can you build the cabin on our property?

No. Our rental cabins are built at our facility and delivered complete to your property.

This keeps installation relatively simple and means there is no lengthy building process taking place at your home.

Can we pick up or move the cabin ourselves?

No. Our cabins are moved by specialist drivers using vehicles and equipment suitable for towing over-dimension loads.

The cabins are also not insured for hirers to tow or reposition themselves.

If you need the cabin moved, please contact us.

What are the site and access requirements?

A flat or near-level site is required.

As a general guide, we need approximately 3.5 metres of clear access for delivery and manoeuvring, together with approximately 0.5 metres of overhead clearance above the cabin from objects such as trees, gutters and house eaves.

We also need sufficient space to manoeuvre the cabin into its final position.

Every property is different, so please talk to us if access is tight or you're unsure whether the proposed location will work.

How high are the cabins?

Our cabins are approximately 3.25 metres high at their highest point.

Remember to consider overhead obstacles such as:

trees and branches
house eaves
carports

power or communication lines
gateways and other structures

when assessing access.

How close can the cabin be to a boundary?

Boundary and yard requirements can vary between councils, zones and individual properties.

As a general guide, many sites require separation from property boundaries, but you should check the rules that apply specifically to your property rather than relying on a single nationwide distance.

We can help you work through the physical placement and access requirements for the cabin, but responsibility for confirming any requirements remains with the property owner or hirer.

Does the cabin stay on its trailer?

Yes. The cabin is built on its own trailer and remains on it while it is at your property.

This is an important part of the way our rental cabins are designed and operated. Rather than becoming a permanently installed building, the cabin is intended to remain genuinely movable so it can be collected again when you no longer need it.

At the same time, the cabin is designed to look and feel like a small home or cabin, not a caravan. The exterior styling, proportions and finishes are chosen so it blends naturally into a residential setting, and once in place it presents as a standalone cabin rather than a vehicle.

Built to move. Made to live in.

Do I need building consent for the cabin?

Our rental cabins are built on a trailer/chassis and designed to remain movable rather than permanently installed.

Under New Zealand's Building Act, whether something is a building depends on more than just wheels - how it is positioned, connected and used also matters.

That's why we keep the cabin on its trailer and use services that can be easily disconnected when it needs to be moved.

Power, Water & Wastewater

How is electricity connected?

We supply a 15m or 30m caravan-style power lead and interface box.

This can be connected to a suitable power supply, builder's pole or household power outlet, depending on the available supply.

Our rental cabins have an Electrical Warrant of Fitness.

A 16-amp supply may be available when the cabin is connected to a suitable dedicated 16-amp circuit. When using an ordinary household three-pin outlet through our interface equipment, the available supply is limited to 10 amps.

Can we use a generator?

Yes, a suitable generator can be used.

For safety and noise reasons, the generator must be positioned at least 15 metres from the cabin.

Please discuss the proposed generator with us beforehand if you're unsure about the required capacity or setup.

How is the water connected?

We supply and connect a suitable water pipe from your mains water supply to the cabin.

There is a one-off connection charge of $60, and the supplied pipe and fittings remain the property of Cabins To Rent.

We use suitable drinking-water connections rather than ordinary garden hose.

Tank water can also be suitable provided there is a pressure pump. The cabin requires approximately:

minimum water pressure of approximately 25 psi
maximum pressure of 75 psi
minimum flow of 5 litres per minute

If you're unsure about your water supply, talk to us before delivery.

How is the hot water heated?

Our self-contained cabins use a gas califont for hot water.

The hirer supplies their own 9kg LPG bottles.

What toilet options are available?

We have two options depending on your circumstances.

Chemical toilet
The toilet uses a holding tank which is emptied by the hirer into an appropriate toilet or wastewater disposal point.

Standard flush toilet with pump system
A conventional flush toilet can be connected to our pump system, using a temporary hose connection to a suitable existing wastewater point such as a gully trap.

There is an additional weekly charge of $29 for the flush-toilet option.

We supply up to 25m of discharge pipe, and the pump can operate up to a maximum elevation of approximately 5m.

Our delivery team cannot make a direct connection into a septic tank.

Where does grey water go if I don't hire a flush toilet?

Grey water from sinks and showers needs an appropriate disposal arrangement.

Depending on the site, this may involve a portable collection tank or another suitable disposal method.

Wastewater and soakage requirements can vary between properties, so any proposed discharge arrangement needs to be appropriate for your site and local requirements.

Renting & Living in Your Cabin

Is there a minimum rental period?

Yes. The minimum rental period for our residential and commercial cabins is six months.

Is a bond required?

Yes. A $500 bond is required for room-only cabins, and a $1,000 bond is required for cabins with amenities.

Is a credit check required?

Yes. We conduct a credit check as part of the rental application process.

Please see our Rental Application page for more information.

Are appliances supplied?

No. Hirers provide their own kitchen and household appliances.

Our self-contained cabins provide the kitchenette and suitable space and power-points for commonly used appliances such as a fridge and microwave, but the appliances themselves are not included.

Can I use gas heaters or other gas appliances inside the cabin?

No additional gas appliances, including portable gas heaters, may be used inside our rental cabins.

The supplied gas hot-water system is installed as part of the cabin.

Are animals allowed in the cabins?

No. Animals are not permitted inside our rental cabins.

Additional cleaning charges may apply where animal hair, damage or odours need to be removed.

Is smoking allowed?

No. Our rental cabins are smoke-free.

Additional cleaning charges may apply where smoke odour or related damage needs to be removed.

How do I connect a TV?

A blank port is available for the easy installation of an additional cable port, for the hirer to arrange.

If you arrange for a satellite dish or antenna to be installed, it must not be permanently attached to the cabin. They are normally mounted on a separate post or nearby building.

Service Areas & Getting Help

Which regions are cabins available to rent?

Cabins To Rent currently services:

If you're outside these areas, contact us anyway. We may be able to help or put you in touch with an associated rental provider.

Still Have Questions?

Choosing a cabin doesn't need to be complicated.

Tell us who needs the space, where the cabin will be going and how long you expect to need it, and we'll help you work through the most suitable cabin and site requirements.

Whether it's for a parent, an adult child, extended family, temporary accommodation or simply more room at home, the aim is the same:

A proper space to live, while you need it.

Built to move. Made to live in.

0800 CABINS Apply Now

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