A 20-year-old student lives rent-free in a tiny home in his mom's backyard: 'Moving back home was just out of necessity'

Austin resident Majbritt Rayas saw her 20-year-old son Daniel struggling to both pay rent and attend college classes. She wondered if there was a way to help him.

Daniel was living with three other people in a two-bedroom apartment in Cedar Park, a suburb of Austin, while attending college courses. He worked for contractors to make rent and pay the bills, but he felt the juggle prevented him from focusing on his studies. 

"I wasn't really able to make ends meet efficiently," he told Insider. "Moving back home was just out of necessity."

Majbritt said that she's trying to set her son up for success, like any parent would.

"If he was in college out of state, I would be paying for his room and board," she added, "so this is just another way of doing that."

Majbritt, 46, purchased a tiny home for $14,000 to put in her backyard for Daniel, who now is attending culinary school and working at a local restaurant.

A family friend of the Rayas had built a tiny home that was sitting — completed but unused —  in their yard. In August 2021, the Rayas purchased the unit for $14,000.

Austin allows backyard accessory dwelling units, or ADUs, in neighborhoods zoned for single-family homes, and Majbritt said they are becoming increasingly popular in those areas.

The Rayas made the 256-square-foot home more livable with the help of Daniel's grandfather, who is a carpenter.

When they bought it, the home was "a little DIY," said Majbritt, who called in the help of her carpenter father from Denmark and her husband Stew Kenly. 

They spent around $8,000 fixing it up, with updates to the plumbing, air conditioning, and an extension of the loft space. 

Daniel only has a fridge and sink in the tiny home, so he has to "voyage to the main house" to cook meals.

In the home, Daniel has a lofted bed, a desk, a kitchenette, and space to have friends over. He has a fridge, but no working stovetop or oven.

Daniel said having a place of his own — without the fear of going into debt paying bills — gave him a sense of relief.

Daniel is now attending culinary school and working at a local restaurant. He said moving back home has been a big relief.

"I could take a deep breath and just really figure out what I'm doing for myself," he said.

Majbritt said she gives Daniel plenty of space, seeing him about once a week for a family dinner.

Daniel said he's thankful he doesn't have to worry about making too much noise when he gets home late from his restaurant job.

Once Daniel moves out, Majbritt said, she plans to turn the tiny home into an Airbnb.

Majbritt said she sees the tiny home as a great investment. She believes it will boost the home's resale value and could potentially become an Airbnb once Daniel moves out.

To become an Airbnb, she imagines updating the loft space and adding more appliances to the kitchen.

But for now, it's Daniel's home not too far away from home.