Hey Hasbeen,
You know you could build quite a decent small-sized dwelling just off a basic double garage shed.
First, don't go 6m x 6m it's a little bit too small.
Go 7m x 7m then add on another 3 metres of concrete out the front.
So your overall slab is 7m x 10m and the roof is 7m x 10m
Don't worry about the roller doors, just put a single glass sliding door on one side.
Also on the front patio section, continue the colourbond sheet up to handrail height which will enclose it somewhat, and leave a little 2m gap for your entry into the patio.
Inside, as you enter the sliding door
- leave one full side clear - that's enough space for small dining area and loungeroom behind it and maybe a wood heater in between.
On the other side, from the front is your fridge and kitchenette, pantry on the other side with an entry into the toilet and shower, behind which in the back corner will be left room for a bedroom.
You can leave it open plan, as its only good for 1 person, but you'll be able to watch TV from your bed.
7m x 10m gives plenty of roof space for solar panels.
Put a side door off the kitchenette to a carport, where you can keep the car undercover.
Add a BBQ and outdoor setting out on the patio.
Simple and easy home for 1.

The situation with the rent prices is similar in other parts of the world, too. The housing crisis is getting worse. There is a severe shortage of rental housing at every price.

Thanks for the suggestion Armchair Critic, we have had that thought. I had a 12M x 10M tunnel greenhouse converted to a shed by covering it with Hypalon, & used it for many years. It was destroyed in a major gale that went through here 3 years ago, when a tree, part of a windbreak to protect it, fell on it. My 1979 Triumph TR8 is still showing some of the scars from that.

The insurance company simply paid me out, giving me almost enough money to build a new 12m x 6M shed. With 3 roller doors looking out to the distant mountains. My daughter thought it would convert to a great granny flat. However I am not interested in having anything that some bureaucrat could order demolished because it contravened regulations. Any accommodation we build or transport will have to be foolproof where council are concerned.

Paul you will be pleased to know one of my pensioner mates has just down sized as you require. His wife died a couple of years ago, & he no longer wanted to live in the large house on a couple of acres, built about 10 years ago to allow his wife to entertain the grand kids.

After 10 years his investment had grown, allowing him to buy a small home, [with 2 car garage], in a retirement complex, plus a new Mazda MX5 convertible. He says he is now living his boyhood dream of owning a sports car, just 55 years late.

Hi Hassy,

What prevents Aged Pensioners in many cases from downsizing is the excess money generated is then means tested towards the aged pension. If the government was willing to make a dispensation, and allow people to keep their pension for those willing to downsize and sell their larger home to an eligible family, that would help with the housing crises to a degree. One problem for many pensioners is the upkeep of a large house, its often falling down around their ears

Paul he is not a dill, so not caught by the means test unexpectedly. His permanent assets [toys] will not exceed the limit, but he will be some what above it in the short medium term.

He has no interest in trying to find the highest return, & will supplement his reduced pension by drawing from capital in the short medium term.

It is a pity that we are not allowed to give some assets to our kids to help them get established in the real estate market, but I can see there would be huge rorting if allowed.