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Daily Mirror
Daily Mirror
National
Florence Freeman

Inside derelict 'charming' wreck in one of London's richest areas - for sale for £785k

A derelict home in one of London's richest areas has gone on sale for a whopping £785,000.

The tiny house, in Hampstead, which has been deemed completely uninhabitable, has shocked buyers after being listed for sale for an expensive starting price.

The house is said to be in a terrible state with water pouring through the ceiling and paint peeling off the walls.

Shockingly, £785,000 is just the starting price, and the sale price is expected to be nearer £1m for the 700sq ft house.

Auctioneers describe it as "charming" but admitted the condition of the property is less than okay.

They said: "Due to the general condition, the property is deemed unmortgageable and for this reason, we open the auction to cash buyers only with 60 days to complete from draft contracts being received."

The tiny home - attached to a grand Victorian house - is in a terrible state (Rightmove/Hammer Price Homes)
The property has starting price of £785,000 (Rightmove/Hammer Price Homes)

The mini pad dubbed 'The Cottage' is in a celebrity-filled part of London with Helena Bonham-Carter, Liam Gallagher, Gwyneth Paltrow, Stephen Fry and Jonathan Ross all having called the area home in recent years.

It is on two floors, with a spacious entrance hall, kitchen and living room on the ground floor and two bedrooms and a bathroom on the first floor.

It also boasts a huge garden for the area, however, every room has water damage with stained walls and even a hole in the ceiling on the first floor.

Outdoor pictures seem to show the lead hanging from the roof, which may be causing water ingress.

The sale price is expected to be nearer £1m for the 700sq ft house. (Rightmove/Hammer Price Homes)
Every room has water damage with stained walls (Rightmove/Hammer Price Homes)

The Rightmove listing from Hammer Price Homes reads: "Hammer Price Homes are delighted to present for sale by online auction this charming two-bedroom end-of-terraced house / cottage on the prestigious Lyndhurst Road.

"This picturesque tree-lined road really is in prime location and is within walking distance to Belsize Park, Hampstead and Finchley road, offering easy access to a wide range of bars, shops, and restaurants.

"Green open spaces can be found close by, including the popular Hampstead Heath which is within walking distance from here."

People on social media have shared their thoughts on the property.

Rightmove referred to the property as "charming" (Rightmove/Hammer Price Homes)
People on social media have shared their thoughts on the property. (Rightmove/Hammer Price Homes)

One person tweeted: "One bathroom. Two bedrooms. 700 sq ft (most of it uninhabitable). £785,000. London is broken."

One responded jokingly: "How did they manage to get 24 pictures of it worth sharing?!"

Another replied: "As well as the renovation, I wonder if you can structure your mortgage to cover the cost of an exorcism!"

And another said "And best, the asbestos comes for free!" while one joked: "Wow, look how the Johnsons left the flat in Downing Street when they moved out."

One said: "Sadly, this doesn't surprise me. I see many properties like this, which are being advertised at eye-watering prices, across the country.

The auction ends on Wednesday, March 29. (Rightmove/Hammer Price Homes)
The property for sale in Lyndhurst Rd (Rightmove/Hammer Price Homes)

"Underlines the need to deal with our growing housing crisis."

But others saw the pad's potential.

One said: "It is an end terraced house with an extensive back and front garden, south facing with six tube services on your doorstep. Someone will turn that into a beautiful home.

"The average price on that street is £1.3m million for a two-bedroom FLAT."

Another said: "This merely reflects the land value. It's in Hampstead, one of the most desirable areas in the country. If it was in pristine condition it would be closer to £1.5m."

The auction ends on Wednesday, March 29.

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