Have you been reading about the New Hampshire Homesteader Cabin?

[Diggin It]

Story's been making news in recent days. Guy lived in a cabin he built nearly 30 years ago on a verbal agreement (back when your word was your bond). Grew his own food, got water from a stream, had some solar panels.

Apparently somebody started making an issue of zoning codes. Town council got into it. That somehow got the attention of the new property owner who claimed they never even knew the guy and his cabin were there.

Guy ends up getting arrested. Judge jails him for 30 days or until he agrees to move. Guy has no resources or ability to move, no place to go. Family is unresponsive.

Latest bit is that while he's in jail, the cabin goes to ashes. State Fire Marshal investigating.

https://www.usnews.com/news/us/articles/2021-08-05/woodland-hermits-cabin-fire-leads-to-state-investigation

 

[woodchip37920]

I let two fellers live on my farm for free it's nice to have an extra hand to help with projects once in a while . One has a 8x12 the other an 8x8 insulated "house" there are a lot of minimalist out there.

 

[TractorGuy]

That sucks!!!

 

[ruffdog]

More.....

Fire destroys cabin of 81-year-old hermit who was forced out of woods after decades, jailed

This Man Has Been Living Along The Merrimack River For 24 Years

 

[Jstpssng]

That just goes to show that any agreement should be in writing. Since the current owner is 86 years old and (allegedly) had no knowledge he was there I'm curious who he got the permission from. Also, they seem to be blaming the big, mean landowner yet it was the town who raised the issue said it was unacceptable, with sewerage issues et.al. right next to the river. The guy has been living there for 30 years, including raising vegetable gardens yet now he says that it was just a hunting camp.

This is a good one to keep in mind, the next time a discussion come up and people mention squatter's rights. It isn't as easy as some make it seem.

 

[Diggin It]

I blame the town and the Judge.

Thirty years, no trouble from him. They should have left him alone. He certainly wouldn't have been there another thirty years.

 

[Fixastuff]

30yrs rent free is a pretty good run...

 

[ruffdog]

"sewerage issues"? We don't care where the boaters and fishermen relieve themselves or all the critters on the river bank but one old guy in the woods? It would have been cheaper to give him a porta-potty service than what the court costs, jail time, etc is going to cost.

 

[Jstpssng]

"sewerage issues"? We don't care where the boaters and fishermen relieve themselves or all the critters on the river bank but one old guy in the woods? It would have been cheaper to give him a porta-potty service than what the court costs, jail time, etc is going to cost.

To be honest I haven't read the links given but have been following this since it came out. The sewerage and other issues are what brought it to light; yet the landowner- you know, the guy who bought it, and has been paying taxes on it- doesn't want him there.
He is also the one who is responsible for any environmental issues which may arise.
Since the town apparently just found out that he was there, apparently he hasn't been paying taxes either.
Especially considering the recent purple paint discussion and the heat I took for my viewpoints there, it's rather ironic that I am the person who has to point this out.

Your point about the canoeists is equally valid. I have been around some river campsites and it's downright disgusting how people can be. At least carry a shovel and dig a cat hole... preferably far enough into the woods so that the next guy can get away from it.
I take it one step further and keep a little lime in a jar, to sprinkle first when I have to clean up after my dog.

 

[/pine]

Not to be callus...but every bleeding heart that has a few acres of woods should be so lucky to have their own squatter...

IMO...the authorities are protecting their citizens and their rights...