A PENSIONER who lives in a bus on his own land is at risk of eviction because the property is not in a caravan park.
Dan Reinhold from Australia told of his horror at being thrown out of his own home by authorities as he battled health problems.
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Like many Australians caught up in the housing crisis, Reinhold had no money to rent a property and had no option but to get on the bus on land he owns with a friend.
Located in the small rural town of Darkan, around 250 kilometers south-east of Perth in West Arthur County, with a population of just 194, Dan and his friend planned to build a shed and septic tank.
Unfortunately, a tradie never turned up to do the work and now the pair have been told they can no longer stay at the property and must go to the local caravan park.
“Why would we stay in the caravan park if we own the land?” Mr. Reinhold told the Daily Mail.
“The bus is fully equipped and independent, it just got out of control.”
The pensioner claims that several authorities have appeared on his doorstep to “shake and intimidate” him in the last 12 months.
Last week, however, he discovered he had been summoned to court after the county began legal action against him.
Reinhold has now been charged with camping outside a caravan park or campsite.
“They are using lawyers and solicitors to get this old man off his land. It’s really over the top, it’s absolutely and utterly ridiculous,” he said.
“There is a housing crisis.”
The council told Reinhold he can stay at the Darkan Caravan Park, which is run by the county, although guests can only stay for a maximum of 28 days during a three-month period.
A state government spokesperson said that under caravan park and camping area regulations, local governments could issue approvals for people to camp on their own land for up to three months, Mail Online reported.
The local government minister can also provide approvals for up to 12 months.
“Applications can only be approved if the important health and safety requirements outlined in the regulations are met,” the spokesperson said.
“Generally, the Minister for Local Government will only approve an application if the local government has advised that it is satisfied that health and safety requirements have been met.
“Due to privacy considerations, we are unable to comment on whether a specific person has submitted an application.
“However, requests are considered on a case-by-case basis as quickly as possible.”
Under current regulations, however, caravans or homes on wheels could only be approved for permanent habitation in caravan parks, the spokesperson added.
Rules about caravans on your own land in the UK
BASED on the average number of people using caravans or motorhomes, it is estimated that over 1.1 million are in use in the UK.
However, there are certain rules you must adhere to when owning a caravan on your own land.
Caravans, including mobile homes up to 65 x 22 feet, can be installed in the direct garden of a house without planning permission if they are used by household members as additional space rather than as independent accommodation.
Static caravans or luxury accommodation, however, require planning permission if they are to be placed on land, in accordance with the UK Caravan Center.
This is, of course, unless it is used as auxiliary accommodation in a house, such as for a dependent family member or holiday accommodation for visiting family members.
A static caravan, mobile home or double lodge is considered an article of movable personal property known as “chattel” and there is no public law that prevents it from being kept in someone’s garden or garage.
As long as the caravan is within the garden of the main house, there has been no change in the use of the house’s land.
But if the caravan is being used without connection to the main house, the local planning authority may decide that an unauthorized “material change of use” has occurred, for which planning permission will be required.
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This story originally appeared on The-sun.com read the full story
