University of Michigan student builds, lives in tiny house
(AP) — A University of Michigan computer science junior has moved into a 170-square-foot home he built himself.
Christopher Cerk, 21, loaded the tiny house on a trailer and hauled it with him for the start of fall classes, The Ann Arbor News reported (http://bit.ly/1NUz3s0 ) Saturday.
Ann Arbor city ordinance requires homes to be 450 square feet or more, according to the newspaper.
The house features a compostable toilet, shower and two 100-watt solar panels that are expected to supply enough juice to charge his cellphone and laptop, provide lighting and power for a cook-top stove.
"Living off the grid will be interesting because I'm not hooked up to anything, but I think it'll be all right," he said.
[...] detractors say they can be fire hazards and may reduce the value of nearby homes and property.