A COUPLE has claimed the stench coming from a neighbor’s tiny home is so strong, they’re forced to wear respirators.
The Oregon residents sued their neighbor for $200,000 over the distress caused by the alleged odor of their chemical toilet.
A couple in Oregon alleged the smell from their neighbor’s toilet in their tiny home has caused them health issues (stock photo) Credit: Getty
The neighbor’s claimed the tiny home’s toilet isn’t connected to the city’s sewer system (stock photo) Credit: Getty
John and Trudy Benjamin of Parkrose Heights, Oregon, said they have been forced to wear respirators on their property since their neighbor moved a tiny home onto their property in 2025.
The neighbor wheeled the trailer onto their own property and next to the fence between theirs and the Benjamins, CBS affiliate KOIN reported.
Someone soon began living in the tiny home with a chemical toilet that was not connected to the city’s sewer system, the Benjamins claimed in their lawsuit.
The toilet allegedly began emitting a stench that only got stronger, blanketing neighboring properties and seeping inside their homes.
Residents have reportedly had to shut all their windows and doors to fight off the smell.
John and Trudy said they tried to speak with the owner about their concerns, but were unsuccessful.
The couple filed a complaint with the city and an inspection was done, which determined there was a city code violation since the home was occupied, but the toilet was not connected to the sewer system.
Despite the code violation and inspection, there has been no change, KOIN reported.
The Benjamins claimed they have suffered from headaches, nausea, lightheadedness and respiratory illness because of the strong smell.
John said he has fallen one or more times because of the dizziness and nausea allegedly caused by the toilet’s stench, which resulted in him having surgery after injuring his knee.
The Benjamins haven’t been able to keep their doors or windows open, tend to their garden, enjoy their yard or dry their laundry on the clothesline in their backyard since the tiny home moved in, they said in the lawsuit.
The couple’s medical provider also reportedly told them to leave their home until the toilet is removed.
The couple said they have been forced to wear respirators due to the alleged smell seeping into their yard and home Credit: Getty
The Benjamins asked the court to ban any use of the tiny home until the toilet is connected to the city’s sewer system (stock photo) Credit: Getty
John and Trudy are asking the court to prohibit any additional use of the tiny home until the toilet is properly connected to the sewer system or for the home to be removed, in addition to money for damages.
They have also asked for a court order for the area to be properly cleaned and for any chemical contamination left behind by the toilet to be removed.
Eze Chidiebere Paul
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