A derelict three-bedroom mews house in one of London's most affluent areas has become an unlikely property sensation after appearing online with a guide price of £925,000, despite being in an advanced state of disrepair that has left potential buyers both horrified and intrigued.
A Property in Peril
The end-of-terrace house situated in Camden Mews, North London, presents a stark contrast to its wealthy surroundings. The property has been listed for auction by Auction House London on Rightmove with a starting guide price just under one million pounds, though the interior tells a different story entirely.
Photographs reveal rooms filled with rubbish, collapsed ceilings, and bathroom facilities including a bidet that appears not to have been used or cleaned for many years. Spider webs dominate corners of the property, while what was once the kitchen shows significant structural damage. The exterior is barely visible behind wildly overgrown hedges that have consumed much of the facade.
Prime Location Versus Problematic Condition
Despite its dilapidated state, the property boasts an enviable location that explains its substantial price tag. The house occupies approximately 170 square metres on a corner plot in the heart of Camden, placing it within easy reach of Caledonian Park and Camden Town.
Transport connections are excellent, with Camden Town underground station (Northern line) and Camden Road overground station both within walking distance. The listing emphasizes that the property has remained in the same family ownership for over 35 years, suggesting its current condition resulted from long-term neglect rather than recent damage.
Online commentators have speculated that the home was either occupied by a hoarder or taken over by squatters to reach such an extreme condition. The auction listing diplomatically describes the property as "offering potential for re-development (subject to obtaining the necessary consents)" and explicitly states that "the property requires a program of refurbishment."
Market Reaction and Redevelopment Potential
The property market's response has been mixed, with the guide price drawing criticism from some property observers. On Reddit, one user commented: 'I got hepatitis just looking at those pictures' while another described 'dry heaving' at one particularly disturbing image.
However, the auction listing provides a computer-generated image showing how the property could appear after renovation, with the foliage removed and the exterior restored. The CGI representation comes with a disclaimer that it "may not reflect the property with complete accuracy" and advises all interested buyers to "undertake their own due diligence."
The price becomes more understandable when compared to local market values. The average sold price for other houses along the same road was £1,338,085 over the last year, according to Rightmove data. Terraced properties in the area typically sell for around £1,273,670, while semi-detached homes command approximately £1,525,000.
According to property specialists Lurot Brand, Camden Mews represents one of London's longest stretches of mews houses at roughly 720 metres. The street has maintained a reputation since the 1960s for its "architect-designed studio houses and artistic community," adding to the property's appeal despite its current condition.
Some optimistic viewers recognize the potential, with one commenter noting: 'Assuming you could get planning permission I bet you could put flats or something on that. It's a decent plot.' Another suggested, perhaps tongue-in-cheek, that "a couple of coats of dulux trade" might be all that's required to make the property habitable.
The auction represents a rare opportunity to acquire a substantial plot in one of London's most desirable neighborhoods, though the successful bidder will need deep pockets beyond the purchase price to fund the extensive renovations required to make this diamond in the rough shine again.
