When a marriage ends, the conventional path involves separate homes, often at a significant distance. For one Australian family, however, an ingeniously unconventional solution has fostered harmony, financial freedom, and seamless co-parenting right in the same garden.
An Amicable Split and a Shared Priority
Eva Bantin, 50, and her husband Michael mutually decided to end their 22-year marriage after realising they had grown apart. The separation in mid-2025 was amicable, but it presented a familiar challenge: how to live separately while remaining closely connected for their two teenage children, Stella, 17, and Jed, 13.
After selling their four-bedroom family home in Thirroul, New South Wales, and splitting the profits, both needed new bases. Eva was keen to explore the world without a hefty mortgage, yet she was determined to stay near her children. The typical routine of shuttling kids between two distant houses with packed bags was something she wanted to avoid for their sake.
The Birth of a Backyard Solution
The pivotal moment came in late 2025 when Michael found a house for sale on a generous plot in nearby Bulli. Inviting Eva to view it, they both had the same revelation upon seeing the spacious backyard. It was the ideal spot for a tiny house—a compact, efficient dwelling concept that had long fascinated Eva.
Acting swiftly, Eva contacted The Tiny Agency. Through property specialist Bridget Rose, she was connected to Casa Tiny Homes, which fortuitously had a perfect model already in production. "As soon as I saw the photos, I said I was buying it," Eva recalled, impressed by its modern comforts in miniature form.
Using funds from her divorce settlement, Eva purchased the home for $150,000, with additional costs for delivery ($3,000), cement footings ($4,500), and connecting plumbing to the main sewer ($10,000). She now shares utility bills with the main house, while her hot water comes from large LPG tanks she manages herself.
Inside the Compact, Fully-Featured Home
Measuring 9m by 2.4m, the forest green and timber-clad tiny house is a masterpiece of space efficiency. It boasts a well-equipped kitchen with a stovetop and oven, a bathroom with a vanity, shower, and flushing toilet, and even a washing machine and air conditioning.
The bedroom fits a king-size bed, and a study nook serves as the office for Eva's remote recruitment business, Eva Bantin Talent. Upstairs, a spacious loft—where one can stand fully upright—holds another king bed and storage for her designer shoe and handbag collection.
"I had to do some serious Marie Kondo-style decluttering before moving in," Eva admitted. "Now, everything has its spot and cleaning is easy—the whole house takes 15 minutes flat."
Making it Work: Contracts, Respect, and New Partners
Crucially, the arrangement required clear boundaries. Eva and Michael signed a formal contract outlining the terms. They also maintain a respectful distance, always texting before visiting each other's spaces. Technically classified as a caravan, the structure needed no council approval, though Eva stresses the importance of checking local regulations.
The setup faced a real-world test when Michael began a new relationship. His girlfriend was initially apprehensive but, after meeting Eva and understanding the dynamic, her concerns were alleviated. "She now has no issue," Eva said, highlighting the maturity and transparency at the core of the arrangement.
For the children, the benefits are clear. "They love having me out the back. It's meant I'm right here for them. I'm present," Eva explained. The family unit remains intact, without the disruption of weekly moves.
A Blueprint for Financial and Personal Freedom?
For Eva, the outcome is transformative. With no mortgage or rent and minimal bills, she feels financially liberated and is even dreaming of buying a villa in Italy, splitting her time as a digital nomad. Michael, too, has his independence.
While Eva acknowledges this solution won't suit every separated couple, for her family, it has been ideal. "If it means I live in my ex's backyard, more power to me," she stated. "My husband has his independence, and I have mine—and it works for our family unit." Their story offers a compelling alternative narrative for post-divorce life, centred on cooperation, affordability, and the well-being of their children.
