Coastal homes in Hemsby, Norfolk, are being sold for as little as £30,000, but buyers risk losing them to the sea due to rapid coastal erosion. The properties sit on the fastest-eroding coastline in Europe, where storms can wash away 20 metres of beach overnight.
More than 20 homes in the area have been lost to the waves in the last 15 years, and experts warn more will follow. Estate agents are marketing the properties as offering a 'relaxed, coastal lifestyle', but critics say they fail to adequately warn buyers of the risks.
Great Yarmouth Borough Council has criticised estate agents for not spelling out the dangers, stating they have a 'moral duty' to do so. One resident, Pascal Rose, 51, has registered as homeless after being told her home was at imminent risk of demolition.
The council says it cannot legally compensate homeowners affected by erosion due to government policy. Despite the risks, some buyers are undeterred, with one chalet selling for under £10,000 in July.
