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Daily Mirror
Daily Mirror
National
Susie Beever

Run-down house in one of UK's poshest areas for sale - but you're not allowed inside

Despite having no functioning stairs or even open for viewing - this once-suave townhouse is going under the hammer for £300,000.

Set in "one of the country's poshest" areas, the abandoned Bristol home has been reclaimed by nature and deemed too dangerous for buyers to look around, but that hasn't stopped estate agents slapping on a six-figure price tag.

The property's facade has been swallowed by ivy while inside, the walls and floors are crumbling with damp and a ceiling has caved in, with its rooms unoccupied for five years.

Books, furniture and a piano have also been left behind in the home, with one auctioneer drawing Dickensian comparisons to Miss Havisham's creepy hideout frozen in time.

But despite its asking price, the property's value is still dwarfed in comparison with other homes in the leafy neighbourhood, many of which regularly go for more than £1,000,000.

The house has been totally obscured by ivy and overhanging tree boughs (Hollis Morgan / SWNS)

Auctioneers say the slashed price tag accounts for the fact buyers aren't allowed inside and could be a bargain once it undergoes a total renovation, with scope for it becoming a "fine three to four bedroom home" once again.

Agents at Hollis Morgan said: "Due to the dangerous condition of the property no internal viewings are possible."

They added that the property has "severe water ingress throughout" and "now requires complete modernisation."

The Freehold end of terrace period property is arranged over three floors occupying a large mature plot in a location described as an "incredibly sought-after residential enclave".

The broken staircase means the house is off-limits to viewers (Hollis Morgan / SWNS)

Andrew Morgan MBE said: "This property looks as though it has just been vacated by Miss Havisham because it certainly engenders Great Expectations!

"Its romantic ivy clad walls certainly indicate that it is a property in need of restoration but it offers that very rare opportunity of a blank canvass to create a home of the purchasers dreams, be that traditional or contemporary.

"What makes this so unusual is that this is a manageable size family home in an area where most of the properties are of mansion house size, additionally its location in a leafy quiet enclave within easy reach of the city centre makes this a true gem.

Its abandoned rooms filled with books and a piano have earned it comparisons with Miss Havisham's house in Dickens' Great Expectations (Hollis Morgan / SWNS)

"As well expressed in the marvellous musical 'The Boyfriend' - 'A ruin can be charming'.

"Vast interest and keen bidding anticipated."

The property is to be sold to cash buyers only as "given the condition of the property is it highly unlikely residential mortgages will be suitable for the purchase".

The property is due to go up for auction on July 26.

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