Property investor's shock at 'unexplainable level of damage' he discovered after buying new home

1 December 2023, 18:10 | Updated: 1 December 2023, 19:24

A caller to James O’Brien’s programme has shared footage of the extraordinary destruction done to his newly purchased property just outside of Durham.
A caller to James O’Brien’s programme has shared footage of the extraordinary destruction done to his newly purchased property just outside of Durham. Picture: Supplied

By Eleanor Walsh

Footage shared by a James O'Brien caller shows the extraordinary destruction done to his newly-purchased property just outside of Durham.

Listen to this article

Loading audio...

Adam, fro, Solihull, told James he bought the house on auction in early September and completed on the property a month later, only to find the house in ruin.

"I did a site visit, couldn’t get in with the key, looked through the window - the house had been set on fire from the inside," he said.

"One of the neighbours came out and told us what had happened."

Read more: King Charles wears tie 'with Greek flags' in pattern as he meets Sunak after row over Elgin Marbles

Read more: Shane MacGowan's wife reveals star's cause of death as tributes pour in for The Pogues frontman

Property investor describes ‘unexplainable level of damage’ done to newly purchased home

He found the house stripped of its copper pipes, with radiators stolen and a burned porch affecting the front room.

After contacting County Durham and Darlington Fire and Rescue Service, Adam discovered that they had changed the locks, having discovered a break-in and fire on September 5th - the day before the house went up for sale.

Property investor shows upstairs damage to newly purchased home

The seller's solicitors claimed they were unaware of what had happened, which Adam accepted but said: "The fact remains we bought a property which did not look, or match the description of the property in the auction."

James speaks to Adam

The house was uninsured and Adam estimates it’ll cost up to £20,000 to fix the structural damage alone - a hefty sum, particularly given that the property set him back only £40,000.

It comes as National Trading Standards, a consumer protection body, told estate agents that they must include potentially undesirable factors relating to a property in their listings in order to prevent legal action as well as property sales collapsing further down the line.

More Latest News

See more More Latest News

The UK Government has ordered a review into rail fare prosecutions following claims of heavy-handed actions by train operators.

Review into 'completely disproportionate' train fare prosecutions ordered by government

Breaking
Taxi driver Urfan Sharif, 42, made the dramatic admission under cross-examination in court today

Sara Sharif’s father tells jurors he 'takes full responsibility' for death of his 10-year-old daughter

Breaking
Timothy West and his wife Prunella Scales earlier this year

Beloved actor Timothy West dies aged 90

The Post Office has put 115 branches at risk

Over 100 Post Office branches and 1,000 jobs at risk under sweeping overhaul, as union slams 'cruel' changes

The DIY and garden chai is said to be preparing to appoint administrators months after its owner started the process of selling the company

DIY chain Homebase set ‘to collapse into administration’ with 130 shops and 6,000 jobs at risk

Spanish people have been seen bracing for more flooding in drastic ways

Spain takes drastic measures as more flooding looms, as some locals even tie their cars up and wrap them in film

Wetherspoons pubs will stop selling San Miguel

Wetherspoons axes 'nation’s favourite' beer and swaps it for an Italian alternative

The mum was jailed for missing an appointment 20 years ago.

'I've lost everything all over again': Mum-of-three recalled to jail for missing one probation meeting 20 years ago

Hvaldimir died earlier this year

Russian 'spy' Beluga whale 'was being trained to guard Kremlin's military base but fled because it was a hooligan'

Hayley Dowell, 38, died after suffering medical complications when she travelled to Turkey for cosmetic procedures

UK woman died after butt-lift surgery in Turkey ‘after surgeon walked out’

Jonathan Edge pleaded guilty to offences under the Fraud Act.

Dad jailed for selling 'dodgy Fire Sticks’ to stream Premier League football compared himself to 'Robin Hood'

Pete Hegseth accidentally hit a drummer with an axe

Watch as Trump's new Defence Secretary pick hits drummer with axe on TV

Exclusive
Families of those harmed by the existing ban on assisted dying gather outside Houses of Parliament as the Private Member’s Bill to legalise assisted dying is formally tabled by Kim Leadbeater

Brits want new assisted dying laws to go even further, poll reveals

The Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby has resigned

Abuse is a 'whole church problem' safeguarding lead warns in wake of Archbishop of Canterbury’s resignation

Wes Streeting plans to give the drug to unemployed and obese Brits.

Failing NHS hospitals to be named and shamed as Wes Streeting pledges to sack underperforming managers

The Princess of Wales greets well-wishers after attending the Christmas service at St Mary Magdalene Church, Sandringham.

Kate's Christmas return: Annual carol service will go ahead this year as Princess of Wales reveals special theme