Tiny home dreams turn nightmare: Retired couple and others lose thousands in alleged scam
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The allure of a simpler, downsized lifestyle has captured the hearts of many Australians, with the tiny home movement gaining significant traction across the country.
The idea of living minimally, reducing one's carbon footprint, and potentially freeing oneself from the shackles of a mortgage is undeniably appealing.
However, for one retired couple from Coffs Harbour on the NSW north coast, the dream of owning a tiny home quickly descended into a financial and emotional quagmire.
A retired couple has suffered significant financial losses in an alleged scam involving tiny homes, where approximately 170 creditors are owed an estimated $6 million in total.
In late 2022, Valerie Shannon and Garth Woodcock invested almost $55,000 into a company called My Tiny Home Kit, owned by entrepreneur Spencer Porter.
With promises of a cozy, compact abode to be delivered by April 2023, the couple was hopeful.
Yet, as the months ticked by, only a partial frame and roof materialised, leaving them with a sinking feeling and a loss of $43,000 that they feared might never be recovered.
‘It makes me feel sick because I just want my tiny home,’ Ms Shannon lamented.
‘If I don't get my tiny home, I want my money back.’
Spencer Porter, the man behind My Tiny Home Kit, had previously dabbled in failed app businesses before launching his tiny home company amidst a flurry of publicity.
He championed the popularity of tiny homes and made grandiose claims, declaring, ‘So, we have decided we want to change the world one step at a time.’
Porter also claimed he wanted to spread ‘awareness on the devastating extreme poverty that is taking place right now, right on our doorsteps and across the world’.
His initial promise was that for ‘every single tiny home we sell, we are building a tiny home in a country in need, to allow those who don't have a roof over their head to have a home because everyone deserves to have a place to call home’.
This pledge was later downgraded to sponsoring children through World Vision, a commitment that also fell through.
The My Tiny Home Kit website once read, ‘Through sponsoring a child for every tiny home kit order, we are now making a consistent, positive impact on the lives of children in need.’ Yet, this, too, proved to be an empty promise.
The ripple effect of Porter's failed business touched many lives. Melbourne woman Lyndy U'Ren, a cancer survivor, and her brother spent about $28,000 on a tiny home for their family's rural holiday block in 2022.
They were moved by a 2019 news story where Porter claimed he would donate proceeds from a self-published book based on his late mum’s voice recordings to The Peter MacCallum Cancer Foundation.
The home Ms U'ren and her brother purchased was promised to arrive within three months; however, like the Coffs Harbour couple, they received only a partial frame and a trail of broken promises.
Ms U'Ren has since connected with around 90 other customers and suppliers who allege they have been financially hurt by My Tiny Home Kit and Mr Porter.
‘Even though there are some people that have had their money back, the ongoing impact that it's had on these people has been pretty significant,’ she shared.
The emotional toll has been heavy for those affected. Ms Shannon's health has suffered, with the stress of the situation leading her to seek medical help for sleep.
‘I wake up thinking of Spencer Porter, I go to sleep thinking of Spencer Porter,’ she said.
‘I've had to go to the doctor to get medication to help me sleep…He's been ripping us off, and there are no consequences.’
David Urquhart, a father-of-five from Western Sydney, also fell victim to the allure of building a tiny home for his daughter, shelling out $32,000.
Tragically, just two weeks after his final payment, My Tiny Home Kit went into liquidation.
‘It's almost beyond imagining, losing that much money for nothing,’ he lamented, echoing the disbelief and frustration felt by many others.
As the company has gone into liquidation, the future looks bleak for those who invested their hard-earned money.
Spencer Porter reportedly ceased sponsoring children through World Vision in November, and the Peter MacCallum Foundation confirmed they have never received any donations from him.
Attempts to contact Mr Porter for comment have been met with silence, but he previously denied claims that My Tiny Home Kit is a scam.
You can watch their stories here:
As stories of disappointment and financial loss continue to unfold for victims of My Tiny Home Kit, concerns about consumer protection are increasingly in the spotlight.
A consumer protection agency issued warnings about deceptive practices in the home construction industry, urging consumers to be vigilant against scams promising dream homes that never materialise.
These cautionary tales underscore the importance of thorough research and due diligence when investing in property or home construction projects.
Have you considered the tiny home lifestyle? Have you encountered similar challenges? Share your thoughts and experiences with us in the comments below.
The idea of living minimally, reducing one's carbon footprint, and potentially freeing oneself from the shackles of a mortgage is undeniably appealing.
However, for one retired couple from Coffs Harbour on the NSW north coast, the dream of owning a tiny home quickly descended into a financial and emotional quagmire.
A retired couple has suffered significant financial losses in an alleged scam involving tiny homes, where approximately 170 creditors are owed an estimated $6 million in total.
In late 2022, Valerie Shannon and Garth Woodcock invested almost $55,000 into a company called My Tiny Home Kit, owned by entrepreneur Spencer Porter.
With promises of a cozy, compact abode to be delivered by April 2023, the couple was hopeful.
A retired couple lost almost $55,000 in an alleged scam involving the tiny home company My Tiny Home Kit. Credits: Facebook / 7.30
Yet, as the months ticked by, only a partial frame and roof materialised, leaving them with a sinking feeling and a loss of $43,000 that they feared might never be recovered.
‘It makes me feel sick because I just want my tiny home,’ Ms Shannon lamented.
‘If I don't get my tiny home, I want my money back.’
Spencer Porter, the man behind My Tiny Home Kit, had previously dabbled in failed app businesses before launching his tiny home company amidst a flurry of publicity.
He championed the popularity of tiny homes and made grandiose claims, declaring, ‘So, we have decided we want to change the world one step at a time.’
Porter also claimed he wanted to spread ‘awareness on the devastating extreme poverty that is taking place right now, right on our doorsteps and across the world’.
His initial promise was that for ‘every single tiny home we sell, we are building a tiny home in a country in need, to allow those who don't have a roof over their head to have a home because everyone deserves to have a place to call home’.
This pledge was later downgraded to sponsoring children through World Vision, a commitment that also fell through.
The My Tiny Home Kit website once read, ‘Through sponsoring a child for every tiny home kit order, we are now making a consistent, positive impact on the lives of children in need.’ Yet, this, too, proved to be an empty promise.
The ripple effect of Porter's failed business touched many lives. Melbourne woman Lyndy U'Ren, a cancer survivor, and her brother spent about $28,000 on a tiny home for their family's rural holiday block in 2022.
They were moved by a 2019 news story where Porter claimed he would donate proceeds from a self-published book based on his late mum’s voice recordings to The Peter MacCallum Cancer Foundation.
The home Ms U'ren and her brother purchased was promised to arrive within three months; however, like the Coffs Harbour couple, they received only a partial frame and a trail of broken promises.
Ms U'Ren has since connected with around 90 other customers and suppliers who allege they have been financially hurt by My Tiny Home Kit and Mr Porter.
‘Even though there are some people that have had their money back, the ongoing impact that it's had on these people has been pretty significant,’ she shared.
The emotional toll has been heavy for those affected. Ms Shannon's health has suffered, with the stress of the situation leading her to seek medical help for sleep.
‘I wake up thinking of Spencer Porter, I go to sleep thinking of Spencer Porter,’ she said.
‘I've had to go to the doctor to get medication to help me sleep…He's been ripping us off, and there are no consequences.’
David Urquhart, a father-of-five from Western Sydney, also fell victim to the allure of building a tiny home for his daughter, shelling out $32,000.
Tragically, just two weeks after his final payment, My Tiny Home Kit went into liquidation.
‘It's almost beyond imagining, losing that much money for nothing,’ he lamented, echoing the disbelief and frustration felt by many others.
As the company has gone into liquidation, the future looks bleak for those who invested their hard-earned money.
Spencer Porter reportedly ceased sponsoring children through World Vision in November, and the Peter MacCallum Foundation confirmed they have never received any donations from him.
Attempts to contact Mr Porter for comment have been met with silence, but he previously denied claims that My Tiny Home Kit is a scam.
You can watch their stories here:
As stories of disappointment and financial loss continue to unfold for victims of My Tiny Home Kit, concerns about consumer protection are increasingly in the spotlight.
A consumer protection agency issued warnings about deceptive practices in the home construction industry, urging consumers to be vigilant against scams promising dream homes that never materialise.
These cautionary tales underscore the importance of thorough research and due diligence when investing in property or home construction projects.
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