A flat in Finchley, north London, which was formerly used as a cannabis farm will go up for auction on March 15.
According to the listing, the two-bedroom flat on Ballards Lane “has been recently used to grow cannabis and requires a programme of refurbishment”.
It has been advertised for £275,000 and will go under the hammer at 9am.
Photos of the property —and a video walk-through— show wires and ducting suspended from the ceiling, passing through the internal walls.
The walls, which are lined with reflective foil, are also equipped with electric fans.
The flat’s two bedrooms and living room all contain growing equipment, with their windows blacked out.
On the floors are pots filled with soil, with errant cannabis leaves strewn throughout.
It is illegal to cultivate cannabis in the UK, where it is classified as a class B drug.
Auction House London said that cleaning up after illegal activities is “not the auction house’s responsibility” and that advertising the property in its current state was part of their “commitment to transparency”.
They added: “We believe in giving our buyers all the information they need to make an informed decision, and it is important to provide a fair representation of the property in its current form.
“We pride ourselves on transparency and honesty in all our dealings and maintain our high standards, even with properties that may have a controversial past.
“Selling properties with a history of illegal activity can be challenging; our buyers must be well-informed about the properties they purchase. Our buyers are our priority, and we believe providing them with a fair and ethical auction experience is critical for their satisfaction and peace of mind.”
The property is currently vacant, and has been put up for auction because the client decided it was “the best way to dispose of the property”, a spokesperson told The Jewish Chronicle. “As long as the price is right, people will buy it.”
At a guide price of £275,000, the property is some £200,000 less than the average flat on Ballards Lane, which costs £492,833, according to Rightmove.
77B was last sold for £184,000 in 2019, according to Land Registry records.
The property, located on the second floor of the building, comes with planning permission and the freeholder’s consent to convert the existing loft space and apartment into two self-contained flats. There are 117 years remaining on its lease.
The flat is open for viewings on March 10 and 14 . The auction will take place online on March 15, with remote bidding only.
