A couple who moved to Brevard County in 2019 to build their dream home says they’ve lived without electricity and running water for five years. The home, located on a 10-acre lot near Titusville, was supposed to be completed by 2021 but remains unfinished due to permitting delays and disputes with the original contractor. The couple, who asked to remain anonymous, said they invested over $500,000 into the property before the project stalled. “We’re stuck in limbo,” one of the homeowners said in an interview. “We can’t even use the house as a home.”
The home, which sits on the edge of the Saturn Boulevard corridor, was initially built with a concrete slab and a metal roof but lacks plumbing, electrical wiring, and a finished interior. County records show the project was first reported to the Brevard County Building Department in 2020, but no permits were issued. The couple said they hired a local contractor to complete the work but faced repeated delays and unfulfilled promises. “We’ve had three different contractors come in and walk away,” the homeowner said. “No one wants to take responsibility.”
Brevard County officials confirmed the property is still listed as unpermitted in their system. A spokesperson for the county said they cannot intervene in private disputes but encouraged the couple to file a complaint with the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation. The couple said they’ve spent thousands on legal fees and have been unable to sell the property. “We’re not asking for handouts,” the homeowner said. “We just want to fix this house so we can live in it.”
The situation has drawn attention from neighbors, some of whom said they’ve seen the unfinished home for years. One neighbor, who lives two miles away, said the property is a “blight” on the area. “It’s embarrassing,” the neighbor said. “Why can’t they just finish it?” The couple said they’re working with a new contractor to complete the project but have no estimate for when the home will be habitable. “We’re just hoping this ends soon,” the homeowner said. “We’re tired of waiting.”