FURIOUS homebuyers are kicking off after “dangerous” homes were sold for bargain prices of just £10,000.
Estate agents were slammed for putting homes under the hammer at discounted rates – without disclosing key information that might make buyers think twice.
PA:Press AssociationClifftop homes were selling for a massively discounted price, with some hitting the market for just £10,000[/caption]
One homeowner has to use a ladder to get in and out of his gardenSolent
Several wooden chalets up for grabs boasted incredible prices and even “direct access to the beach”.
But they didn’t disclose that they may have to be abandoned in the near future as they are perched on crumbling coastlines.
In July, one home was on the market for under £10,000, according to the Daily Mail.
The property came complete with three bedrooms, two bathrooms and an open plan living space.
And it sold at the discounted rate due to the property teetering on a cliff edge.
The firms selling the homes have now come under fire for not making it clear that the chalets could face being demolished due to coastal erosion.
Some cliff-top houses in Norfolk are also being sold for as little as £30,000.
Meanwhile, three properties in Hemsby are currently up for sale along the same stretch where more than 20 homes have fallen into the sea in the last 15 years alone.
Officials have warned that several of the properties will be lost within the next 50 years.
Natasha Hayes, executive director for places at Great Yarmouth Brough Council told the Local Democracy Service: “Homes are still being sold now.
“It is awful for the people that are buying them.
“We do not advise people to purchase these properties.
“Local estate agents should have a moral duty.”
She also claimed that some chalets were being sold for cash in hand without surveys being carried out.
As well as this, property owners currently don’t receive any compensation when their homes are demolished or fall into the sea.
Great Yarmouth Borough Council has already identified 30 homes that are in high-risk areas in the village and could be demolished in the future.
The £30,000 bungalows sit along the fastest-eroding stretch of coastline in Europe.
It comes as sea defences along Norfolk’s most vulnerable stretch of coastline will have to be removed due to posing a health and safety risk.
Properties on the Marrams are considered the most at risk due to their close proximity to the beach.
PA:Press AssociationThe chalets are at risk of being demolished due to coastal erosion[/caption]
PA:Press AssociationSome cliff chalets in Norfolk are on sale for £30,000[/caption]
Ian Brennan, who has been heavily involved with the Save Hemsby Campaign, told MailOnline: “Estate agents are miss-selling properties.
“They are not talking about the reality of the situation.
“Some of these homes may have to be knocked down. It is wrong.”
Jamie Minors, the co-founder of Minors and Brady estate agents, defended the sale of the homes saying they could benefit buyers and sellers.
He said buyers are still seeking life by the coast, even where there is a possible future risk.
Property owners currently do not receive any compensation when their homes are demolished or washed away.
IF YOU’RE PLANNING TO BUY A CLIFF-TOP HOME…
IF you’re thinking about buying a cliff-top home there’s some things you need to consider
Buying a cliff-top home requires extensive research into erosion and flood risk, getting a specialist building survey and insurance policy, and preparing for higher maintenance due to salt, wind, and rain.
You should conduct in-depth property searches to understand short- and long-term environmental risks and have a full picture of any potential ground instability.
Be prepared for higher insurance costs, particularly for storm damage and erosion, and consider a property set back slightly from the cliff edge to mitigate risk and potential costs.
Before you buy
Thoroughly research risks: Investigate the area’s history of coastal erosion, flooding, and storms.
Conduct in-depth searches: Your conveyancer should get a specialized report covering all environmental and stability risks, including modeled erosion scenarios.
Get a full building survey: A surveyor can identify existing damage and highlight issues from salt, wind, and damp, which are common in coastal areas.
Consider proximity to the edge: A property set back even a few streets can be a safer and more affordable option, with lower insurance premiums.
Insurance and maintenance
Specialist insurance: You will likely need specialist buildings insurance that covers coastal erosion, landslides, and storm damage. Consult a broker experienced with coastal properties.
Higher maintenance: Be prepared for more frequent and costly maintenance:
Corrosion: Salt in the air can corrode metal.
Damp: High humidity and driving rain can increase damp issues.
Paint and plaster: Expect to see flaking paint and plasterwork.
Regular cleaning: Clean window fixings regularly and check seals.
Choose durable materials: Consider using materials that are more resistant to the elements
He said: “Even in areas where there are environmental challenges, which have not been protected by councils and governments, buyers are seeking life by the coast, even if there is a possible future risk.
“We recently had a purchaser explain they didn’t care about possible erosion, as in their words, life is short and they wanted to relocate to the coast for the last few years of their life and Hemsby was affordable due to the environmental challenges.”
Mr Minors added that all buyers are advised to instruct their own surveyors and solicitors to give them professional advice on their purchase.
This comes after The Sun reported last month that an award winng home that featured on Channel 4‘s Grand Designs and I’m a Celeb is at risk of crumbling off a cliff.
The owners of the unique property in Criccieth, Wales, have submitted a planning application for cliff stabilisation works after a recent landslip saw the home come dangerously close to collapse.
Named Cefn Castell, the idyllic £1.3 million house sits on the edge of a cliff surrounded by beautiful countryside and is now under “immediate threat” from coastal erosion.
Last year, Norfolk homeowners also told The Sun that their homes were set to fall off a cliff following a huge landslip.
Photos show the home at Cliff Farm with one corner dangling over the 80ft drop to the beach below.
Speaking last year, Martin said: “The overwhelming feeling amongst the neighbours is one of despair.”
Homeowners face cliff-edge chaos
Homeowners in Trimingham, Norfolk, are battling the elements as their properties teeter dangerously close to the cliff edge following a massive landslip.
A home at Cliff Farm had one corner of the house hanging over an 80ft drop to the beach below. Tyres and other debris have crashed onto the beach, adding to the scene of devastation.
Cliff Farm was on the market in 2018 for £175,000, with the caveat that potential buyers would need to pay in cash due to the property’s risky location. The house was described as a “ticking timebomb,” sitting just 18ft from the cliff edge
COUNCIL RESPONSE
North Norfolk District Council has been in touch with the affected property owners since the latest cliff fall. Erosion has plagued Norfolk’s coast, with Trimingham and Hemsby losing several homes in recent years.
DISASTROUS PAST
Over in Hembsy an ex-soldier has dragged his home away from the cliff edge twice before abandoning it last November, reflecting widespread despair among locals.
Back in 2021, a landslide the size of a football pitch devastated the seaside village, Mundesley, causing extensive damage to nearby properties. Despite their homes being close to disaster, tenants in Mundesley refused to leave.
In February, a cliff crumble in Sidestrand led to warnings from North Norfolk District Council about the impact of relentless rain. Concerns over Trimingham prompted the Ministry of Defence to relocate the distinctive ‘golf ball’ radar station.
In December 2023, storms wreaked havoc, destroying five seaside cottages on The Marrams. Photos showed the cottages being demolished by machinery, leaving a trail of debris.
PA:Press AssociationGreat Yarmouth is home to the fasted eroding stretch of coastline in Europe[/caption]
PA:Press AssociationOfficials have warned that several of the properties will be lost within the next 50 years[/caption] Published: [#item_custom_pubDate]
