Britain's cheapest house? Home goes under the hammer at £750

Published by Max Salsbury for 24dash.com in Housing and also in Communities, Finance

A three-bed semi in Stockton-On-Tees is to go to auction with a starting price of £750, while a second one in the same area is starting at £1,000.

The two properties on Limetrees Close, Port Clarence have been vandalised and need extensive repairs.

Agents handling tonight's auction are expecting the homes to sell for between £4,000 and £8,000 each, depending on the turn out.

According to estate agents Robinsons, the two homes were built along with the rest of the close in 1991 to accommodate workers in the local construction industry. However, when the work dried up in the late '90s, some of the properties became empty and ended up in the hands of letting agents.

Richard Watson, from Robinsons, told the BBC that the home with the £1,000 starting price had been heavily vandalised, had had its wiring stripped and had also suffered problems with anti-social behaviour.

Stockton Council has been making an effort to improve the quality of the area, and has installed CCTV to try to stem anti-social behaviour. Councillor Steve Nelson, Stockton Council’s Cabinet Member for Housing and Community Safety, said: “One of the continuing challenges we face is persuading all the landlords to take responsibility for the upkeep of their properties and the behaviour of their tenants. Some, like Tristar Homes have been very responsible, but others seem to be interested only in their income.

“Since April we have co-ordinated regular multi-agency meetings involving the Police, councillors, Enforcement and Anti-Social Behaviour Officers, the Fire Brigade, Tristar Homes and a number of landlords.

"We would encourage all landlords to take responsibility for their properties and we will take enforcement action, where appropriate.”