With the average house price in South Africa now having surpassed the R1 million mark, it has become increasingly difficult for South Africans to climb onto the property ladder.

This has led to an increase in innovative micro-apartments and container homes – smaller re-purposed accommodation typically a fraction of the cost, with some even offering off-the-grid living.

While a few of these developments have been well publicised, including the Drive Lines apartment block in the Maboneng Precinct in Johannesburg, other options can be delivered directly to your door.

Umnyama Ikhaya specialises in off-grid container homes which can be transported to any address in South Africa. Once delivered the container will form part of your title deed and can be resold via normal mortgage/bond finance.

“We guarantee council approval at R8,500 for the 30 square metre structure and if not we will refund you. This fee is for the detailed architectural plans, energy efficiency compliancy and council submissions,” said company founder, John Venter.

According to Venter, buyers can decided between a two or four sleeper floor plan, both of which are available as a 30 square metre pod for R399,000 (excluding the cost of land).

“This price includes transport to site anywhere in South Africa, and a full inventory. We can however, build any size structure by joining our modular blocks side by side or stacking using our DIY boltfast system, including optional extras such as a garage, storage room and even a second-storey,” he said.

Inside

The following items are included as part of the standard inventory for each home.

Venter pointed out that the home is completely off-grid and features no electricity bills and a number of water saving features.

“The idea of the home is that we deliver it and it just ‘turns on’ and can immediately be used,” he said.

Hydrofire fireplace

Cooling fan

4 x Solar Panels

4 x Solar Batteries

5kw Inverter

Bosch fridge/freezer

Bosch gas stove/oven

Bosch 11 litre gas heating system

LED television

Wall bracket

Fire extinguisher

Double glazed pvc & steel windows/ oor

5cm Thick fire retardant polystyrene insulation with chromadek panels

Exterior cladding in NUTEC – finish and colour of your choice.

Rust treated and painted

2 x Interior sliding doors

Rainwater tank 5,000 litres

Rainwater harvesting roof – Zincalume

Solar pressure pump

Floating shelf

Waterless extracting dehydration toilet – odourless system

Vertical farming façade for veggies, herbs or flowers.

Towel rail

Mirror

Soap holder

LED interior lighting all round

Motion sensor exterior lighting

Dry walling used for partitioning

Fully finished bathroom with shower

Fully fitted kitchen

Fully fitted bedroom with cupboards

DB electrical switch board

Marine grade 10mm corten steel, modular building block

Read: You can buy a container home in SA for as little as R100,000