A MAN has revealed that he was homeless for three years, but is now living in a shed.
Matt, a 34-year-old welder, has managed to get himself off the streets and now sleeps in a tiny home in the middle of the woods.
A man has candidly revealed that he was once homeless, but is now living in a shed in the middle of the woods[/caption]
The 34-year-old gave his followers a tour of his tiny home, but his viral clip has left many “sad”[/caption]
Not only did he build the shed himself, but while many expect it to be full of tools and spiders, the reality is very different.
In fact, Matt’s home has proper plumbing and electrics.
And while he may not have an oven, he does have a shower and toilet.
Posting on social media, the content creator gave his followers a close-up look inside his one-bedroom shed, as he wrote: “People see the outside and assume it’s rough in here – here’s what surprises them.”
Giving a tour of his off-grid home, Matt, who lives a minimalist lifestyle, showed off his fiberglass shower which has an “endless” supply of hot water.
Not only this, but he’s also got a composting toilet with a fan-powered vent system.
Additionally, Matt’s shed is home to a full kitchen set-up with fridge, sink and countertop space.
In the bedroom area of the shed, Matt has a camp-style bed, which is next to a washing machine and tumble dryer.
The home even has full insulation too.
Keen to set the record straight on his shed home, Matt explained: “People think I’m roasting in here but it stays cool.”
Not only this, but he then continued: “People expect this to be a shed with tools and spiders…It’s actually my peaceful home.”
The TikTok clip, which was posted under the username @mattg326, has clearly left many open-mouthed, as it has quickly gone viral and racked up 1.2 million views.
It’s a nice setup but the fact that people accept this as normal now is scary. Successful and competent people live in homes, not sheds
TikTok user
Not only this, but it’s also amassed 45,900 likes, 546 comments and 2,324 saves.
But while many social media users described the tiny home as “cute and cosy”, others were “sad” that a shed is all many can afford in the current economy.
One person said: “That is the future for all of us. A shed is about all we can afford these days.”
Do I need planning permission to convert my shed?
CONVERTING an existing shed or outbuilding into a self-contained living space will usually require you apply for planning permission.
However, there is a “loophole” Brits can use to convert outbuildings into a tiny home without permission.
Planning expert Martin Gaine from Just Planning warned the conversion process is far easier than you may think.
Speaking to The Sun, the Chartered Town Planner of 14 years’ experience explained: “An outbuilding can be built using ‘permitted development rights’, meaning it does not need planning permission.
“As long as you comply with the various restrictions and conditions.”
One of these is that the outbuilding can only be used for something ‘ancillary’ to your main living accommodation – examples include storage, a gym or a pool room.
If the outbuilding is existing, converting it then into primary living accommodation IS allowed.
Martin explained: “This is because internal changes to an existing building are not considered to be development at all under the Town and Country Planning Act.
But like anything, there is one catch.
The new living accommodation must still have some connection with your use of the main house.
For instance, if your gran is living out there, she must still come into the house to eat.
Another added: “It’s a nice setup but the fact that people accept this as normal now is scary. Successful and competent people live in homes, not sheds.”
A third commented: “That’s super cool, sad we all have to result to this!”
Despite this, someone else chimed in and claimed: “Better than some people’s houses.”
But at the same time, one user questioned: “No oven?”
In response, Matt replied and confirmed: “Working towards a small table top oven.”
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