Dan has been living in a bus on his own land. His local council says it’s not allowed and he now faces eviction
- Retirement living in a bus on private land
- The city council thought he should move
A pensioner who lives in a bus has been taken to court by a council claiming he cannot live on his land because it is not a caravan park.
Dan Reinhold has struggled with ill health and like many Australians, he was caught up in the housing crisis. Even if he could find a place to rent, he wouldn’t be able to afford the “ridiculous” costs.
Mr Reinhold had little choice but to move into a van on land he owns with a friend in the small rural town of Darkan, about 250km south-east of Perth in the Shire of West Arthur, with a population of just 194.
He and his friend planned to build a shed and a septic tank, but a tradie never did the work.
Then the problems with the shire started, the couple were told they couldn’t stay on the property because they were living in a bus, with the shire telling them they could go to the local caravan park instead.
Dan Reinhold has been taken to court by the Shire of West Arthur for living in a van on land he owns in a small rural community 250km south-east of Perth
“Why would we stay at the caravan park if we own the land?” said Mr. Reinhold.
“The bus is fully equipped and autonomous, it just got out of control.”
Mr Reinhold claims that over the past 12 months a number of authorities have been to his property to ‘rattle and intimidate’ him.
Last week he discovered that the county had taken legal action against him when he received a summons to appear in criminal court.
He has been charged with camping outside a caravan park or campsite.
‘They’re using lawyers and attorneys to get this old guy off his land. “It’s really over the top, it’s absolutely and completely ridiculous,” he said.
‘There is a housing crisis.’
The county told him he could stay at the Darkan Caravan Park, which the county manages, but that guests are only allowed to stay for a maximum of 28 consecutive days within a three-month period.
In Western Australia, people can stay in caravans on their own land for up to 12 months, provided they have permission
Under WA regulations, caravans and wheeled houses are only approved for permanent living in caravan parks
A rule applied under the Caravan and Camping Grounds Act 1995 (WA) and Clause 5A Schedule 7 Caravan Parks and Camping Grounds Regulations 1997.
The Shire of West Arthur was contacted for comment but did not respond before publication.
A state government spokesperson said local authorities can grant permission under the Caravan Parks and Camping Grounds Regulations for people to camp on their own land for up to three months.
The local government minister could also grant approvals for a period of up to 12 months.
“Applications can only be approved if key health and safety requirements of the regulations are met,” the spokesperson said.
‘Generally speaking, the Minister for Local Government will only approve an application if the local authority has indicated that it is satisfied that the health and safety requirements have been met.
‘Due to privacy concerns, we cannot comment on whether a specific individual has submitted an application.
‘However, applications will be considered on a case-by-case basis as soon as possible.’
The spokesperson said the WA Government continues to do everything it can to strengthen housing supply across the state – including through industry-leading planning reforms that reduce unnecessary red tape.
The state government has introduced new exemptions for granny flats to cut unnecessary red tape and create more housing options, but this does not apply to caravans.
The spokesperson said that under current regulations, caravans or wheeled houses can only be approved for permanent residence in caravan parks.