Grandma told to Tear Down Tree House

I think she should be left alone if she has been there that long. Some governments are always sticking their nose in where it's not wanted. I guess it is easier to deal with this than on the bigger problems.

I think that regulations for renting rooms are different than just living there and maybe it is unsafe. I think we can't judge since there may be zoning regulations in play here as well. I know our zoning is strict. I think she should have checked them before she opened a business in her home.

It seems that she has violated several planning regulations. She (and her neighbours) may be OK with that but, unfortunately, wherever we decide to live, we have to abide by the laws and regulations in force there. She may have got away with living in her primitive tree-house for 24 years and, frankly, her comfort and sanitary arrangements are her own business as long as she doesn't cause annoyance, disturbance or harm to her neighbours or otherwise pollute the environment, but once she begins to let rooms or camping space to people without applying for proper planning permission, she must expect the full force of the Planning Authorities to come knocking at her door! Yes, she must pull the shack down if she can't afford to comply with the regulations ... and it makes absolutely NO difference that she is a 'grandmother' and a 'happy Hippy' who is 'in heaven' in her treehouse with the thunder, lightning and rain. That report is just pulling emotional strings which have no relevance whatsoever!

Why don't they just send an engineering team to inspect and give suggestions how to make it safe and make her comply instead of deciding to tear it down right away, sources of income are hard to come by these days, would these people provide for her? You are right, there are always jealous neighbors and officials who want to grand stand.

Okay, I read the CBS story.... Now, let's look at this logically... 1. Is the city asking her to do something they are making everyone else do? No, they aren't. If the city told everyone who has a treehouse to tear them down, then okay, they can tell her to remove the treehouse. But, if little Timmy next door can keep his treehouse, then the city needs to shut up and leave her alone. 2. Is there a good reason for the city to insist that she not rent out rooms? Yes, honestly there is a good reason to insist that she not rent out rooms in and below the treehouse. The zoning laws do not allow her to endanger anyone else in the treehouse. I would agree that the city does have a good case, in this instance, to insist that she must make the treehouse safe before she rents out any part of it for others. 3. Is the treehouse an eyesore that is bringing down the property values of the neighbors around her house? No, the article specifically states that the treehouse is not visible to any of the neighbors, so the property values will not and are not affected by her living in or owning the treehouse. 4. What should be taken into account in this particular case? The city needs to find out who actually complained about the treehouse. If it was a neighbor, then the city needs to step in and fine the woman for renting out rooms in or below the treehouse. If it was someone who rented a room and was disgruntled about something, then that person needs to be fined for making a false report to the city and wasting the city's time and causing uncalled for problems for the woman. Now, how I believe this incident needs to be treated is: the woman should not be allowed to rent out rooms in or below the treehouse without a permit by the city. If she can't bring the treehouse up to code for what she is using the treehouse for, then she can't use it for those purposes. If the woman needs to earn more money, get a job just like everyone else. The city had no problem with her living there for 24 years. The city needs to butt out of her living arrangements. I do agree that the city should not allow her to have guests in or below her home since it can't be made code worthy. If grandma has a problem that needs psychiatric help, then the city needs to take her to court over that.

This is the kind of thing the government should butt out of, in my opinion. When politicians say "less government" however, they aren't referring to this type of situation. Nope, they want less government regulation of big pharm, big oil, big business, and oh, yes, the 1%. I hope granny wins, but if I were betting on the outcome my money would be on the government.

It just makes me mad when the government sticks their noses in everything anyone tries to do. I can understand... well, no I can't either. I was going to say that I understood wanting to keep people safe, but they don't want to do that; they just want to control everything.

I'd be fine if she gives some sort of indemnity to the government saying even after being told that the house is not safe, she continued to stay in there, and because it put the authorities in a conflicting position...with her rights to live in there, they have backed down, and consequent to indemnity she won't claim any rights to be saved or in the event of any injury claim any compensations...

That's too bad. She has had it for all these years. Maybe if she never rented out rooms she would not have been bothered.

Neighbors need to mind their own business. I know neighbors who will harass just to take advantage.

I can understand that she shouldn't be allowed to rent rooms out if it's considered unsafe, but she should be allowed to do what she likes regarding her own safety.

If there's other way that she can still live in her tree house, maybe that's the best that the government should do. How about helping her to renovate it to reach the legal standard? I hope someone is willing to help her. She is an old woman anyway. By the way, I love to live in a tree house when I was a kid.

I think if she will not rent her tree house, she will be able to live there and the tree house will not be ruined. I am sure that neighbour was jealous of her.

I think it is terrible to pick on little old ladies when there is a enough out there to keep them busy. Leave her alone and let her live where she wants.

leave her the heck alome if its been safe so far better thjan being homeless'thats for sure