A SEEMINGLY ordinary four-bedroom home has hit the market for a tempting £475,000 – but eagle-eyed house hunters reckon there’s a shocking catch hidden in the online listing.
The detached period property in the charming village of Mortimer Common, Berkshire, boasts a generous 0.29-acre plot and is being flogged as an “exceptional opportunity” for buyers with big dreams.
Estate agents David Cliff describe it as a former grand historic house with fantastic potential to create your dream home.
The property is complete with separate living and dining rooms, a spacious kitchen, four bedrooms upstairs, and even a double garage.
It’s perfectly positioned, backing onto one of the village’s historic churches and just a stone’s throw from local shops, cafés, schools, and Mortimer Station for easy commutes.
But step a bit closer – or scroll through the photos – and you’ll spot the massive flaw that’s got punters in stitches.
The house is actually a fire-ravaged shell with no roof, collapsed upper floors, and bricks spilling everywhere after suffering storm and fire damage back in September.
What was once a cosy family home is now reduced to skeletal walls, charred rafters, and crumbling chimneys, all fenced off with metal railings and stern “dangerous structure, keep out” signs.
House-hunters have been mocking the upbeat listing online, especially on Reddit‘s Spotted on Rightmove forum, as reported by the Daily Mail.
One user wrote: “I’d have to get a survey done because that roof looks a little leaky’”
Another joked: “Are you allowed to call it a bedroom if there’s no roof?”
A third user said: “Just needs a lick of paint and a few walls.”
Someone else chimed in with: “Bit of gaffer tape and a tub of Polyfilla and it’ll be right.”
Despite the house having no roof and being a total wreck, it’s still got an Energy Performance Certificate rating of ‘F’ on Rightmove – the second-lowest band possible.
One user joked: “It doesn’t have a roof and it’s not even the lowest rating.”
The Rightmove listing features no photos of the interior of the damaged property and notes that the EPC certificate was issued “prior to the incident that caused significant damage to the property.”
The listing highlights the site’s “excellent potential” for building a replacement home or possibly a “small residential scheme”, subject to securing the necessary planning permission.
A local resident explained what happened, writing: “I live just down the road from this. No storms, no microbursts.
“It was empty for a long time, then suddenly the roof collapsed at the left hand end.
“Kids got in and lit a fire and the resulting damage brought down the right hand side. The rest has been slowly collapsing.”
Commenting on the price, one user wrote: “You’re paying for the plot in that location with the assumption you’ll be able to get planning permission.
“It’s a lovely place. Agreed that’s still f****** ridiculous though.”
The property on West End Road was originally listed higher but reduced recently to attract potential buyers.
Site visits are by appointment only, with no internal access permitted due to safety concerns.
