An Aussie couple is facing financial ruin and living in a camper on their own land after a series of errors saw their house built on the wrong block.
David and Melanie Moor have spent six years and $130,000 — including legal fees and massive relocation costs — moving their house to the correct property in Western Victoria.
With David suffering from stage 4 liver disease and Mel managing MS, the pair have been left with just $200 in their superannuation.
The ordeal began when the duo purchased land in Camperdown and moved a house onto what they believed was their block.
“The first thing the man who owned the land next door said to us was, ‘Oh, great, I get a free house out of it’,” Mel told A Current Affair.
“I said to him, ‘I’m sorry, but the house isn’t yours, the house is ours.’”
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David and Melanie Moor have spent six years and $130,000 moving their house to the correct property. Picture: A Current Affair
The former landowner divided the original block into two lots. Picture: A Current Affair
$230k blunder leaves Aus couple living in camper. Picture: A Current Affair
The Moors alleged that while the neighbour initially agreed to a land swap, he later changed his mind, forcing them into a legal battle.
To settle the dispute, the couple agreed to pay $30,000 in legal bills for both sides.
They were then forced to remove 160 stumps, disconnect plumbing and electrical, cut down trees, and physically move the house 100 metres onto their own property.
“It was a weight lifted off our shoulders seeing it cross that line,” Mel said.
Despite the move, the couple faces a further $100,000 bill just to make the home habitable.
The couple alleged that local planning authorities and utility providers signed off on the original build.
Despite the move, the couple faces a further $100,000 bill just to make the home habitable. Picture: A Current Affair
The couple is currently living behind their dream home in a camper. Picture: A Current Affair
For now, the house remains empty, disconnected from utilities and sitting off its stumps. Picture: A Current Affair
However, no one has taken accountability for the fact that the house was placed on the wrong allotment.
“The council, the power company, the water company, they’ve all given us the Certificate of Compliance to say that everything’s correct,” Mel said.
“But on the wrong block. Nobody’s taking responsibility for it all, and I don’t see why we’ve had to pay for everything.”
The couple is currently living behind their dream home in a camper. They are seeking a camping permit from the local council just to live on their own land.
For now, the house remains empty, disconnected from utilities and sitting off its stumps.
“We’re back to the start, really,” David said.
“We just have to start saving and just cut back on a lot of things we’re doing to try and get the house stumped so we can start getting it to occupancy,” Mel added.
When asked when they might finally be able to sit on their front balcony for a drink, David was uncertain.
“I don’t know the answer to that question, actually.”
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