Dec 13, 2024
Monica Badzinski had always dreamed of having a tiny home and living more sustainably. She achieved that dream in 2022 when she moved into one on 10 acres of land she purchased in Sapulpa, Oklahoma. But she says that dream has turned into a nightmare after safety issues, and more recently, the theft of her entire home.
Badzinski says she was only able to live in it for three months when the inspection company told her the proper inspections hadn't been done and they weren't sure if the house was safe. She moved out and tried to hold the builders responsible — but they never responded.
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According to Fox23 News, Badzinski then sought legal counsel who told her she might need to sell the land and the tiny house to mitigate costs. Now, the legal process might be even more complicated because thieves recently stole the entire house, leaving behind broken cinder blocks, cut wires and crushed cables.
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Tiny house theft under the cover of night
Badzinski says her neighbor was the first to notice something was wrong. He called to let her know the gate to her property, which had previously been locked, was wide open — and her tiny home was gone.
"He has cameras. He said that he saw four men in an UTV and a pickup truck. They came to my gate, they had some kind of saw, [and] they sawed through my lock," Badzinski told reporters. "They came down here, they cut the straps to the home, they cut the electrical."
The thieves then drove off with the tiny home. Fox23 News reporter Morgan Martin was with Badzinski as she toured her now empty lot. All that remains of her dreams is the concrete slab where the home sat, cinder blocks that held the house up, broken cables, and cut wires.
Desperate for answers, Badzinski created fliers and is talking with neighbors. She is also offering a $500 reward for the location or identity of those involved. Based on the vehicles used, Badzinski believes the home is still in the community, as UTVs are typically not used to drive long distances.
However, the theft also impacts her legal battle with the tiny house builders. Badzinski says the theft of the tiny home complicates the legal battle regarding the inspections.
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Protecting tiny homes
Badzinski doesn’t mention the cost of her tiny house, but she does mention it is a big one. Homeguide says the cost of a fully assembled prefabricated large tiny house (300 to 400 square feet) is between $45,000 – $100,000.
Tiny homeowners should consider ways to secure their property to avoid theft. GPS trackers, surveillance cameras, and motion-sensor alarms can deter theft and make it easier to locate stolen homes. Additionally, getting specialized insurance coverage tailored to tiny homes may make it easier to recover losses.
Standard homeowners insurance typically doesn't cover tiny homes. If your tiny home is stationary, you would need a mobile/manufactured home insurance policy. If it is on wheels and you plan to move around with it, you would need recreational vehicle (RV) insurance.
Badzinski's move out of the home could complicate matters. Some policies restrict theft coverage if a property is deemed “unoccupied” or lacks regular maintenance. Additionally, her ongoing legal dispute with the builders could impact whether her home was considered safe and insurable at the time.
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Danielle is a personal finance writer whose work has appeared in publications including Motley Fool and Business Insider. She believes financial literacy key to helping people build a life they love. She’s especially passionate about helping families and kids learn smart money habits early.
