An Aussie couple who began building their dream retirement home on the wrong land have finally moved it onto the right block after a lengthy battle and spending $500,000.
David and Melanie Moor paid $300,000 for a five-acre block in Camperdown, in south-west Victoria, in 2021.
But three years later, the pair got the shock of their lives when they discovered they had built their home on the neighbour’s block.
The retirees’ home currently sits on empty oil drums while it awaits restumping. The septic system and electrical wiring have already been dug up and removed.
The mistake occurred after the former landowner divided the original block into two lots.
The Moors bought block one, but their home was placed on block two — which had been sold to another buyer.
Last year, the couple were given a 14-day period to remove their house and leave the property by the landowner, or the house might be sold.
The couple agreed in February to clear the block of land by May 2, following an extension to the original deadline.
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David and Melanie Moor (right) paid $300,000 for a five-acre block in Camperdown, in south-west Victoria, in 2021. Picture: A Current Affair
Three years later, the pair got the shock of their lives when they discovered they had built their home on the neighbour’s block. Picture: A Current Affair
The house has now been moved 100m onto their own block. However, the couple must still dig up 160 stumps on the neighbour’s property and remove planted trees to return the site to its original state.
“It was a weight lifted off our shoulders when we did see the truck transferring the house onto the correct block, but in the meantime, we’ve got a lot more work to do,” Ms Moor told ABC.
“We don’t know what damage is inside at the moment because it did look a bit wobbly coming over on the truck.
“We’re not game enough to go inside yet because the house isn’t stable enough on the drums.”
In a statement to the ABC, the landowner’s lawyer said their client had been “very patient” in attempting to resolve the issue before legal action became necessary.
The couple estimates it will cost about $100,000 to move the home, re-stump it, and reconnect services. This is on top of the original investment.
The Moors “trusted” the council, contractors, real estate agent and conveyancers to ensure the project was completed smoothly.
“We didn’t think it was true, because the council signed off on everything, so we thought it was a scam,” Ms Moore previously told A Current Affair.
“It’s just the pickle of all pickles,” she added.
The former landowner divided the original block into two lots. Picture: A Current Affair
A spokesman for the real estate agency said it had not made any false or misleading claims.
The company stated it was the Moors’ responsibility to verify which block they owned before starting work.
The Corangamite Shire Council approved the building permit in April 2024.
The couple said the council should have noticed the mistake when reviewing permit documents.
In August 2024, Mr Moor received a call from the council telling him to stop work and seek legal advice.
Mr Moor said he hoped sharing their story would alert other Aussies to the dangers of building on subdivided land.
The couple will now live in a caravan for up to a year while their home is made liveable.
Despite the toll on their mental health, the Moors said they did not regret moving to the community.
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