Pigsties are not the only unusual form of accommodation people have found.
After the Herald ran an article about a Whenuapai property owner who converted a pigsty into four "well-appointed" studio apartments, readers responded with their own stories.
Some told of living in old railway carriages, others informer farm buildings.
"I had an old tenant that would be well suited to those piggery units - they should have more available. Many thanks if you could do this," wrote Ivan Sokolich, of Oratia.
Auckland reader Sue Crampton said she lived in Britain for 20 years and her last house was a converted pigsty, built in natural stone with very thick walls.
"It made a fabulous house, with three bedrooms, farmhouse kitchen, lounge and bathroom and garage. There were a lot of farm conversions in the area, which was the smallest county in England, Rutland.
"When friends first visited us, they used to ask if the fireplace was already there. We'd laugh and say no, the pigs didn't have a fireplace.
"We had a fabulous 10 years in the place. When we moved to New Zealand in 1987 we sold it for nearly £70,000."
Peter Matheson, of Maungaturoto, said he lived in a converted cowshed for about four years while waiting to build a house.
"The cowshed was well appointed with all mod cons and very comfortable. Obviously the cows had long gone but the facility was a perfect temporary accommodation and many a great party was held there."
